Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-01

appointed to inspect the county buildings:
THE COUNTY JAIL.
Your committee beg lea We to submit the fol-
lowing report. We have exami ned Ramsey
county Jail and would suggest suitabl e iron tie
rods running across the building to strengthen
and prevent the spreading of the side walls:
also, we would advise the removal of the old
floor in the second story Corridors and filling
in between the floor joists with concrete, or re-
move the lath and plastering on the ceiling in
the first story corridors and make the flooring
double thickness on second story of corridors;
this would answer the same purpose as the con-
crete, and would be about one-half the cost.
In removing the lath and plastering on the cell
ing of the first story corridor, would require
withdrawing to give it good and clean APP
pearance. This improvement will do away
with the rats, as they will have no place to
secrcte themselves. There could be some i'm
provement. we think, made in heating with hot
air if the furnaces were changed so that they
would be some twenty-five feet apart. The
cellar under the jail building should have a
cement floor and the stone walls plastered with
one good coat of cement mortar. We would
recommend that a laundry be fitted up in the
basement, so the prisoners could do their own
washing. Much credit is due the late Sheriff
Becht for the good order about the grounds
and the general cleanliness of the Jail. We do
not recommend any extraordinary expenses in
the Jail building as we think it should be re-
moved at no distant day to the outskirts of the
city. G. BoYDEN, Chairman.
THE HOSPITAL.
Your committee appointed to examine the
county hospital beg to report as follows: We
find that the dormitories for the men are in
sufficient in number and in consequence there
are times when too many patients are kept in
one room, thus endangering their health or de-
laying recovery.
We find the sewerage very deficient Only
small drain less than two feet under ground
and leading out to the adjoining lot, where the
waste remains as standing filth.
We find the water supply quite inadequate to
the wants of the institution, the cisterns being
only of sixty barrels capacity.
Your committee recommend that an addition
be built as to provide more dormatories, es-
pecially for patients with cutaneous diseases.
That estimates be obtained, and if thought
practicable, q sewer be constructed from the
building south to the ravine, some 400 feet
away. That the cistern be enlarged SO as to
contain $50 or 800 barrels. In regard to the
general management of the hospital, your com
mittee is of the opinion that it is we'll done.
Mrs. A. s. Thompson, the matron, appears
to be doing all in her power to promote the
comfort Of the inmates. Everything about the
premises presents neat and orderly appear
ance and the patients generally seemed cheer
with the treatment received. No complaint
was made about the food being unsuitable or
insufficient, and from an examination of the
books kept by the matron, showing prices paid
for groceries and meats, we are of opinion that
the articles named are furnished at a reasonable
price. From an examination of the books of
the board of control we find that the total ex-
penses of the institution from August l, 1877,
to May l, 1878, have been $3,962.75. Of this
amount as it was expended, should be deducted,
for it was expended for an addition, 1857 .63,
leaving the total for ordinary expenses So, $685.
which we are informed would be about 800 per
month for each patient. Respectfully,
$50. A. 6. GILBERT, chairman.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
The committee report that their attention
was called to various. irregularities which hav
existed I'M certain matters contrary to law for
some years back, but as they have been; inform
ed, these have been cured by recent legislation,
they do not think it worth while to call more
particular notice to them at this time.
That they have not taken the time to examine
critically az respects the accounts of the audit
tor and treasurer, but they desire especially to
commend the: systems of bookkeeping which
the new county treasurer, Hon. b. NJ. Rice has
adopted, and the clear manner in which all the
books are kepts, SO that a glance will reveal
the exact condition Of the county finances at
any time.
The committee has taken especial pains to
examine into the workings Of the board, of con,
troll. Certain recommendations were made by
the grand jury of October, 1877, in reference to
the manner in, which the accounts of the aims
house and hospital expenditures for the, poor
| should be kept. These. Recommendations to-
gether with Others made by a committee Of
conference appointed BY the chamber of COM
merce, the board of county commissioners and
the city council have been carried out with the
best of results.
1t is now possible for any citizen to find,
upon casual examination, the cost Of the aims
house and hospital for any month in the year,
the name. of any recipient of aid from. the
county with the particular form in which that
aid is given, and the cost to the county thereof.
The committee would urge upon those citi-
sens, who are accustomed to complain Of the
county's affairs, the examination of these
books, which are always open to them, and
would further urge on citizens who are ac-
cust0med to aid different persons with various
kinds of relief to take the Mains To examira