The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-07-27

We take this opportunity of stating that
the Governor had twice in his message
called the attention of the Legislature To
| these matters, and up 10 this time no action
has been had in regard to them.
Your committee would respectfully sug-
! Gest yhat 3 oili has, been introduced in the
7 Ssuaselsshicb, if adopted by the Legisls-
| ture, viii, IN the opinion of your commit
| tee cure these defects in this particular.
! Notwithstanding the absence of all
| checks OF The superintendent, as above set
\ forth. we have satisfied ourselves by sn ex-
amInstion OF the books of the Asylum that
| the Superintendent has kept a correct &C
count Of all moneys received by him as SUI
perintendent from all sources, and has
properly accounted for the same to the
mansgers of the Institution.
! We found the books Of the institution
I kept IN accordance with the system in force
at the time the present superintendent took
charge thereof, and although the system is
defective and will, We think, be improved
| by the change we in the report propose,
| yet We believe that, by great labor and re-
Pelted exsmlnations, the present superin-
tendent has evolved from the books q cor
rect .statrlnent. or nearly. So of the past
management Of the institution as shown by
| his reports of 1874 and 1875.
l. Your committee made very close and
minute investigation of the private and
kcounty pstient accounts, and they believe
that the charges for both mems and wO-
mems cl0thlng,-in many instances, were
charged unnecessarily high.
Your committee believe that clothing of
every description can be furnished to pa
tients cheaper than charged at the institu-
ton. We would recommend to the man
| ayers of the Institution to make close es-
4 Inmate of the costs of material and of the
making 4upaof the same, and.Ahave such
goods charged at or nearly cost as practi-
cable
! Your committee would state, in the
article ofSuen's wear, that they found many
articles charged much higher than the same
could be bought at retail out of the
mercantile establishments in the city of
Austin. These articles were made up at
the institution. They find that the same
case prevailed in regard to women's cloth
ing. ~ ,.,rs .,.t -7.-.g.eE .y~te7cf-,al rsa
L. We would further state that the superin-
tepdent claims that he ordered goods fur
| nished, 70 be charged at as nearly cost as
| practicable and that, if anything is over
/ charged, it was without his knowledge or
consent 81 sO ~
We would state that we believe that such
| articles as shirts, drawers, half hose, shoes,
hats, etc., can be furnished TO male patients
at from fifteen TO twenty-five per cent.
cheaper than charged at the institution,
land they believe the same IN regard to fe-
male wear. -,- z -. .-..,.. 20. --, C.
bIirYour committee would say, in behalf of
the superintendent and his aids, that they
sincerely believe. that every cent of the
moneys collected upon such charges has
D. sI~1
of the institution, aud that none of it has
been misapplied; and that he acted in the
matter as he thought for the best interests
of the state. .a.s-s. s-. So l.a sboa 7,lgs cd
We examined,' most critically, the pur-
chases of staple articles, of both dry goods
and provisions, for the institution since the
present superintendent and board of mana
| gers went into Office, and, after examining
j,eyery bill as filed in the office of Comp
troller of Public Accounts with the receipts
| of the same upon the books of the institu-
ton, we find nothing of which to seriously
complain '- '' "
Wenfound5 an isolated article occasion
ally, which we thought unnecessarily high,
hut, upon close investigation, we find that
the superintendent and board of managers
could not at the time, have procured the
same article upon much, if any, better
IteffnS. 49, 81 y - - Nal
4 We find, upon examine ton of, goods
bought BY, the quantity in Galveston for the
instltutiop, 1t cost m ore to lay them down in
Austin than if they had been originally
/ purchased in Austin. We feel that it is our
duty to mention these facts IN Yindication
y Of the superintendent and board of mana
/ gers ID their eKerts to procure supplies for
the institution upon the most favorable
terms for the interest of the State.
4 We find that the furniture in the rooms
of the SUPERINTENDENT and the assistant
superinten 4ent is rather costly, but it is of
the best order aud durable.
l. In the item of livestock, as reported by
the SUI erintendent, we think he was un-
necessarily extravagant N the purchase of
one pair of horses. Your committee zbt-
lieves that a pair could have been had for
much less figures that would have answered
all purposes of the costly pair.
In the furnishing of the halls, stairways
and wards of the institution with carpet
ing by the superintendent, an air of CON-
| fort is G; ven, and wezbelIeye will prove at
the same time Beneficial to the female pa
t><pts in deadening the sound from walk
ing, etc. We believe that the article USED
is the cheapest and best for the institution
being altogether Brussels carpeting, ard
Il =
vantageous prices by the superintendent.
We find the building clean and in good
! orier. The bedsteads. are of the latest and
nest approved patterns for lunatic asy-
! luns, strong and durable, with spiral wire
mating, giving the patient an easy and
comfortable rest. AS a question of econ
omy, we believe these bedsteads the cheap
est; and as sanitary measure, we believe
the superintendent has acted wisely in pro-
curil G them.
The lounges for the female patients are
substantial and of good style, and certainly
prove most desirable adjuncts to the insti-
tuition for the comfort of these unfortunate
women.
In the item of pictures, as mentioned in
the, superlntendent's report, of which there
are quite q humber, and of which com
plant has been made, your committee have
made careful Investigation, and the result
is as follows: They are of the best style
Hbf chat class of pictures, 2 and, while
costing a considerable sum of money, the
party making the purchase testities, upon
oath, that the charges to the institution
admitted but margin of from seven TO
ten per cent. on original cost in New York,
added t9 the original bill for trouble and
use of money. And as to their necessity in
a hygeinic. point of view; we are of TIL
opinion that this was a matter left to the
discretion of the superintendent, and that
he teeis full ysconyinced, and is honest and
conscientious In the belief, that they are a
useful adj anct to the sanitary condition of
the institution, and are so applied.
Your committee find that the fare for the
patients is well served, and of good aud
WI 0fesome nature; that all are well fed,
care being had to suit the appetites of all as
nearly as pTaetieable.-sf hrs -s.f 81 sy-a ~
We find that the wards are kept IN the
featest style, cleanIinessbeing ac0nspicuou,
feature.
= We full,coBstrained to say that the SUPER
intendent has made a fair and truthful state
smentsin bis report of the disbursements of
the moneys, and OF the general manage
ment of the institution We have received
the assurance from the sunerintendent and