The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-02-06
BUILDINGS, CITy HALL,
New Orleans, February 4. 1878.
TO the Honorable Mayor and Administrators.

JAMES D. EDWARDS. Administrator.
q. Fsvorably, by resolution. on the petition OF
Firemen's Charitable Association, Sixth District,
for reimbursement of amount expended In re-
pairing helfry over the market-house.
Mr.. Edwards submitted report from DR.. De-
Roaldea, Visiting Physician, showing that ten
patients were admitted to the Smallpox Hospital
Ia January, Of which number three died. enc was
discharged, aud elk remain in the hospital.
BY MIR. Oavanac--
1. Favorably by resolution on the petition OF
W. Zmmermsnp, for permission to erect machin-
cry and steam engine in the square bounded by
Carondelet Walk. Broad. White and Toulouse
| streets.
3. Favorably by resolution on the petition Of
Geo. Crone to erect blacksmith aud wheewrght
shop on Magazine, between Oadi liz and jena
streets.
BY Mr.. Diamond
Favorably upon the petition OF residents Of the
Eighth aud Ninth Wards, for the fencing Of Mo-
Carthy square and the planting of trees therein.
The Mayor laid before the Council the follow
ing:
Report of the Committee on the Insane
Asylum.
| To the Honorable Mayor and Administrators OF
| the city of New Orleans: O.
| BY virtue Of the res olution passed by the hon.
| orsble the City Council on the 4th of December,
| 1877, the Mayor appointed committee consist
| ing of Drs. Ernest l.. Lewis, John J. Oasteanos,
Charles Biekham. Isaac l.. Crawoour and Charles
| Turpin, to inquire into the condition Of the in
mates of the City Insane Asylum. and to ''report
II such condition can be improved, and in what
| manner, together with sueh other suggestions as
the committee may deem fit and proper to make,
always keeping in view. however. the financial con-
dition Of the city,"
As good citizens we have Acepted with pleas
| ure and slaerity the duMes and responsibilities
of this difficult task with the view Of being USE
full to the city, and physicians, in order to be
able to better the lot Of unfortunate ones who are
unable to make their complaints knownS
| On the seventeenth and on the twenty-third of
December we repaired to the Insane Asylum on
Common streeto This building was originally
constructed by the general government, and for
| awhile used as marine hospital. 1t WAS after
/ wards declared to be unfit for this purpose, and
recognized as unhealthy on account Of the
swamps surrounding it, which continually exhale
infectious odors.
We have examined all the departments with
| the greatest care. have frankly and impartially
treated all questions connected with their organ
ization and have sought to state facts with minds
upprejudiced rs to censure or condemnation.
| We respectfully submit to the honorable Mayor
| and members of the Council the results OF our
| observations, as embodied in the following re-
| port:
| BUILDING.
Large white fences form q paralelogram, the
greater portion of which Ia covered by the asylu
and its accessory buildings. At the entrance is
seen q large graveled walk used az promenade
ground for the female invalids; in the centre a
circular bed Of flowers, which contrasts In
striking manner with the gloomy blackness Of
| the ssy lum walls.
The principal building consists OF two stories !;
. circular gallery, resting on pillars, allows air
and light to circulate freely and surrounds the
| front and one of the sides. There ia similar
one in the second atory. surrounded, however, by
Q railing.
The superintendent room, the pharmacy, the
officers rooms, the sitting and reception rooms,
the linen room and twelve cells, used SIS dormi-
| tories, comprise the first story.
| The dormitories are in the second story. There
| IL only one fight OF wooden stairs by which they
can be reached.
We consider that in case of FIRE this single ave.
| nue. Of escape Is insufficient and dangerous, and