Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-09-26
The Stste W0rkhOuse.


We are pleased TO learn that the State Com
missioners, 10 whom the erection of State
Workhouse at Rutland were entrusted, have
proceeded diligently, and, as far as we can
Judge, intelligently upon their work and the
prospect now is that the buildings will be
speedily erected, and soon in running order.
The practical working of such an institu-
ton in this state is, to be sure, more or less
a matter of conjecture They have been
the means of much good elsewhere, and we
can see no good reason why in that section
of the state IL may not prove of great benefit.
It would seem, however, as IL there should
be two warehouses; in the state; or that the
one already authorized should be more cen
trally located. This objection, should the
result prove favorable, would undoubtedly
be removed by the establishment of another
institution Of a similar character, located at
some point on this side of the moantain.
The Commissioners last week opened the
proposals for doing the work. They were
sixteen in number, and were mostly from
parties outside the state, Mr.. +. p. Libbey,
from Fairlee who bid upon the whole job,
being the only one from this section. The
award will be made in few days, or as soon
as bonds for the faithful performance of the
work can be filed. We learn from General
Grout, one of the Commissioners, that the
competition among the bidders was exceed
ingly sharp, and that there is every prospect
that an excellent job will be got at an re-
markably reasonable price.
We are glad to see that the buildings are
to be erected on an enlightened and humane
principle The cells will be ventilated and
lighted, and in the cold season heated by
steam. The lay of the land affords the best
opportunities for drainage. The superin-
tendent's house, fronting on the creek, is
thirty-seven feet long by thirty-two feet
wide, two stories high, and is connected with
the cell department for men and by an ell
thirty.four by thirty-two feet, with drive
way on the ground and offices in the upper
story. The cell department for men is one
hundred and thirty-eight feet long and
thirty-eight feet wide. There are three
stories of cells, and in the center of this large
building are guard rooms and a chapel.
Thirteen feet north of the mems department
is a building for hospital and for female
convicts, one hundred feet long by twenty
six feet wide. The workhouse and receiving
room, ffty-nine feet west and on the line
of the south end of the male prison, is
eighty-fve feet long by twenty-six wide
The buildings on the west side are con.
nected by an eght-nch brick wall, enclosing
ample grounds. The distance from the
front to the rear of the building is two hun
bred feet.
A railroad track will be laid from the
main lines of the two railroads to the rear
of the workhouse, and highway will be
opened extending from the main road along
the west side of the grounds. 1t is not ex
pected that the appropriation will pay for
all the Improvements about the grounds
The town will doubtless build the nece lary
highways. The grounds are so situated as
to be made very attractive, though this, of
course, is not the main thing. The buildings
will have some ornamentation, enough to
present very respectable appearance. On
the whole, the plans provide for buildings
and arrangements which will be a credit to
be promoted by their speedy erection.