Daily Republican., 1880-02-27
THE INSANE DEPARTMENT.
A Buxx moBg the Board OF Trus'
tees - some Members Fighting
Against n Large outlay OF Money
Aims House Removal.

tees - nome H0mD0rn FAkbtAuN
Against n Large outlay OF Money
Aims House Removal.
How Is the project of erecting the
addition to the insane department Of
the Aims House coming on 2" asked
the REPUBLICAN Of one OF the Building
Committee Of the Trustees Of the Poor
yesterday.
"Oh, swimmingly, swimmingly, "
he replied in an assuring way. EVERY.
thing moves like clock ; we will
have the building upin short time. The
plans have been adopted and proposals
will be advertised for in less than
week. "
A further inquiry, however, showed
that things were not Of such an easy
going nature as had been painted; and,
indeed revealed the fact that there is
abundant cause to lead one to antici-
pate disagreement Of considerable di-
among the trustees at no dis
tant day.
To lead 10 a correct understanding
of the difference of opinion it may be
well to state the case plainly from the
outset. The building Of an addition to
the insane department of the almshouse
was first suggested by the Grand Jury
a year or two ago, and since that time
the thing has been seriously contem-
plated by the trustees. II took definite
shape some months ago. A building
committee was appointed at that time
consisting ofC. Hill Brinton, w. G..
Lodge, Milton Lackey, J. wilkins
Cooch, Stephen Springer and Thomas
Bird. This committee was authorized
to draw up plans and specifications.
After visiting a number OF similar
in neighboring ountiss in
Pennsylvania, the committee finally
reported plans at the last quarterly
meeting Of the Board. The plans were
not adopted at that time. They were
prepared by Mr.. l.. R. Springer Of this
city. They were for substantial three
story brick building, and have already
been fully described these columns.
About the same time that the Build
ing Committee was appointed the Secre-
tary of the Board was requested to as
certain from whom sufficient sum
Of money to erect the building could bs
borrowed. At the next meeting he re-
ported that he had engaged $1,000
from certain gentleman, and that he
was expecting the Board to take the
money and was holding it in reserve
'or them. Notwithstanding that the
project Of erecting the building was
till In embryo, and that the money
would not be needed for some time
hereafter, it was decided to take it at
,noe.
A bond was accordingly made out
md the money borrowed at six per
,ent. By this quite large sum may
% paid out at interest before the prin-
,ipal ia used. This is but an example
If the way in which the business con-
1ected with the proposed insane de-
oartment has been conducted. A good
bit of unfavorable comment has arisen
IN account of this rather unwise fnan-
,tal precipitancy.
From the time the first step was
AIKEN in this matter several Of the
have urged economy, and
lpon this point quite a contest appears
u fair way to loom up. When the
uestion of cost was first introduced in
he Board il was held that the cost |
Vsuld probably be about 81, 800. This
stimate was roughly made, but was
expected to cover the amount at least.
according to the plans that have been
repared at the instance of the Build
ng Committee, the cost will be fully
5000, and, to use the words of one of
be more economical trustees, "God
My knows how much more" One
,ember of the Board says it will be
10000.
The plans presented by Mr. Springer
t the last quarterly meeting we're CON-
idered by the trustees at special
leeting on Wednesday last, together
nth specifications. On that occasion
here was considerable discussion, and
be adoption of the plans was opposed
II the ground that they were unaccom-
anied by any estimated cost. 1t was
rgued that the lowest proposal for
uilding the addition might be unex-
sctedly large, and the adoption of the
lans as they were might lead to a
reater outlay of money than the Board
ould afford. Finally the plans and
pscifcations we're adopted. The COM
littee was instructed to advertise for
roposals at an early day, and it was
ecided to accept the loves. bid.
A question has arisen as to the pow.
r Of the Trustees of the poor to-bor-
ow money. 1t is believed that they
ave no authority whatever to borrow
ny amount without the sanction of the 1
eneral Assembly Of the State. As they 1
ave no money to expend and calcu- {
ste to borrow all that Is necessary this {
uestion may cause suspension of {
perations. Something on this point /
i'll be said at the next meeting. 1t is [
meeting and takes place
arch 81. Ii
Considering the whole matter. to- |
ether with its relative advantages and I
isadvantages, somewhat of an opposi- I
on to the project now appears. In this I
pposition the point that the improve I
tents is not needed is not maintained. I
is we'll expressed by leading bust q
ess man. Said he: The chief argu- {
Ient is the increased value Of the I
roperty on which the Aims House is
tuated and that Immediately adjacent
} it II the institution were moved away.
7e.do not want any more money ex- '
snded on the old place, but the whole /
ling removed further from the city, Z
i'd more modern and ample buildings I
'ected. '
1t now retards the progress Of the I
rt nf tha citv cal oil atad aa aites for nur :,