National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-10-20
P1UPERS IND CRIMINALS.
Condition of tho Washington Asylum-Re
purt of tho Commissioner.

Condition of tho Washington Asylum-Re-
purt of tho Commissioner.
Mr.. George A. Coswel, comm missioner of the
Washington Asylum, has submitted his annual
report of the operations of that institution
He states that the north wing has been
finished and is now occupied by prisoners, and
the necessity of au additional wing in which
to keep tho female prisoners is constantly be-
coming more urgent aud lie estimates that the
cost of such n building would be LOGO. He
recommends the purchase of 300 acres of land
on the east side of the Eastern branch for aCri-
cultural aud sanitary purposes. The last
weekly statement shows an aggregate of 1877
inmates, and this number will be largely in
creased during the cold weather. OF the pris-
oners but fow are skilled mechanics, and the
longest term which can be imposed is ninety
days and to support them without occupation
is miscellaneous and absurd
He suggests that all night soil and garbage
now carried down the river could be- landed
mt q convenient wharf on the Eastern branch,
where the workhouso prisoners would receive
it aud carry it to a proper place of deposit,
and it could be aftGrward used as a fertilizer
for the farm, aud possibly some portions could
be manufactured for commercial purposes.
This land would be so far from the city that
no nuisance would be created, while largo
crops could not fail to be produced by the
labor of men who otherwise must be supported
in idleuess by the District. In the mere cost
of Transportation considerable saving would
be made. Until this land is purchased the
asylum can mover become u credit to the man
ayers or to tho District,
He indorses the views Of Major Morgan, Su-
perntendent of Police, as to the need of re-
iormatory for girls, and calls attention to a
number OF girls and boys (wlite and colored)
now under commitment for yagrancy in the
workhouse simply because there is no othor
place for them, and it these grounds are OBJ.
tanned the buildings can at small expense
bo arranged for the reception Of these classes
His estimates for the next fiscal year lin
Guiding $4,000 for an addition to the new
workhouse aud $4,000 for purchase and i'm.
Lroyement of land) are Slll,OOO
Tho report of DR.. ]. l. Dyer, visiting physi.
clan, accompanies that of the commissioner
and giyQsitho number in hospital at last report
| 80; admitted, 33i deaths, 70 prescriptions
| compounded, 800.
Tic report Of Colonel l., NJ. F. Faehts, late
intcndant, is also submitted. Ho says thai
| although the expenditures exceed tho esti
mates, the latter were moro than 10000 lesi
than the preceding year and the number o
| inmates increased n per cent. lie shows de
crease in groceries of over $4,000. Tables ar;
! given which show as follows;
The number Of paupcrs has increased from
| 100 TO 1873. Tie inmates Ia the workhOust
number 90 patients 50 to g. Number of IN
mates July /, 1877, 2js 1873, 2sl' 1879, 3r2
|. During the year there were SOB commitlal'
10 the workhouse lie refers to their success
In getting up library of 800 volumes and to
the institution being supplied with papers aud
magazines; also to the improved discipline.