Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-09
Especial Telegram to the Globe.

Special Telegram to the Globe.
| ST. PETER, Mimi, Feb. S.-The joint leg
islative committee on hospitals for the in
sane, composed of Senators j. NJ. Wheat,
| chairman, and Messrs. Craig. Steneerson
Sackett and Clement, and Representatives
j. E. Child, Plummer, Bobleter, Daniels,
Smith, j., Strong and Randall gathered at
the union depot in ST. Paul at 7:45 a. N.
| to-day, all members but Senator Clement
| and Representative j. E. Child being pres
emit. They were accompanied by repre-
sentative of the GLOBE and by Senators
Christensen and Alderman and Represen-
tatiyes Morris, Farrar, Torgerson, M. John
son, Becker, Doyle, Baumgarten and Hal
green, invited guests. Taking the train at
8 a. NJ, the run to st. Peter was made with
| out incident, arriving a little be-
fore noon. Sleighs were awaiting the
party, and they were driven at once to the
Nicollet house, where substantial dinner.
was served, after which they again entered
their sleighs and were driven to the asylum.
This magnificent structure, mammoth in
its proportions and of fine
architectural design, is located
about one and one half miles south of the
city and near the track of the Winona g.
st. Peter railroad. The sleighing was ex-
cellent, the weather fine, and the drive
through the streets of the beautiful city of
st. Peter, was enjoyed with a zest
by each member of the party.
Reaching the grounds the vast
edifice rising up dark, sullen and grand
against the winter sky, sent an involun-
tary feeling of awe to the heart of each
| beholder. What a record of shattered
hopes, blighted ambitions, wrecked lives
and disappointed prospects it walls con-
tain. How many brilliant star around
which clustered the hopes and wishes of
hosts of friends has sunk into deepest
| oblivion here!
Arrived at the institution the party were
taken in charge by DR.. Bartlett and assist
ants, who conducted them through the
building, exhibiting each and every part
The condition of the patients was found to
be excellent, and the sanitary status as
good as could be expected. Great care
seems to have been taken to keep each
part of the asylum and each patient
scrupulously neat and clean. The beds and
bedding we're closely examined, and were
found to be as good a those in any ordi-
nary family. The baking and cooking de-
partments we're thoroughly examined, and
Of 4ha 10
patients closely examined. The laundry
ane drying departments were visited and
thd entire round having been made,I the
committee repaired to the general Office,
where a conference was had with the
officers and trustees concerning the needs
and desires of the institution for the com
ing two years. Of the items recommended
by the board, $4,000 asked to be reap
propriated for the purpose of renewing
the heating apparatus, has been returned
to the state treasury from an unexpended
appropriation. This the committee will
and also $4,000 in addition
for new laundry. The sum of $8,4OO
asked for the purchase of 200 acres of
additional land was next discussed. and
the fact that the present farm had Melted
$4,000 profit the past year, to say moth
ing of the benefit to the patients from the
outdoor LABOR, was enlarged upon and
the amount asked for decided to be recon-
mended.
The item of $4,000 for improving the
center building and making the basement
fire proof was also recommended, and
$4,000 for the erection of separate fire
proof building detached from the main
building for laundry.
The rebuilding of the north wing de-
stroyed by fire Nov. Is, 1880, has been com
pIeted in most satisfactory manner, and
is absolutely fire proof The appliances
for extinguishing fire have been perfected
by the construction of a $4,000 gallon
reservoir at a sufficient altitude to give a
gravity pressure that will throw seven
large streams to the highest part of the
building, which can be increased by five
more from the large steam force pump.
At present there are at the main hos
pital male patients 329, female !
250, while at the temporary ward down at
the city there are thirty-six men and forty
two women. During the past year the ex-
penses per week to the state has been 1891, /
and the appropriations asked for the en-
suing two years have been made upon that
basis, and will no doubt be recommended. |
The committee having made most
careful and critical examination, conclud !
ed their labors here, and leave in the
morning at o'clock TO inspect hospital /
No. 2, at Rochester. Of the board of trus- |
tees present were A. l.. Sackett and VIM. /
Schimmell, st. Peter; John F. Meagher,
Mankate; M. J. Daniels, of Rochester, who |
constitute majority of the board.
Hrs. Frank Leslie.
IPittsburg Dispatch.