Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-11-23

Below will be found the copy of a re-
port of the House Committee ON Hospi-
tai for Insane. The committee Is IN
favor of q hospital or asylum in the
country east of the Cascade Mountains.
and we cannot believe anv opposition
will arise thereto from any part of the
Territory. IL II just as well TO have two
such institutions a. one, and probably
better, and first necessary step lsok
ing TO ths; end may properly be taken
by the present Legislature:
Mr.. Speaksr-Your Committee on
Hospital for Insane To whom was refer
red that portion of the Governors Aess-
age relating TO tue above institution.
have had the same under consider alton
and report as follows:
That in company With the Council
Committee we visited the Hospital for
Insane al.d as far as possible examined
into Its management and the conditions
of Its affairs. and found everything in
reasonably good order considering the
condition of the buildings which are
old, unfit for the susiness and in many
places badly dec ,yed. We found the
Doctor in charge affable. We think he
treats tine pstisnts kindly. has an
equable temper and Possesses the re-
quisite amount of skill.
We consider the draining of the lake
referred to not advisa ble. IL our opin-
ion it would cost more to drain it than
the land woald be worth after it was
drained. We would not recommend
making an appropriation for the con-
stxuction of "A new building upon the
old site. as we think that all institu-
tions of this character should he built
upon good agricultural land.
We recommend that the deficit of
xl5O0 referred to be paid. We would
favor nm appropriation for converting
into rooms the second stories of the two
wards spoken of for the accommodation
of patients likely to be admitted during
the next two years, but realizing that
these buildings must inevitably be aban-
doned in the not distaut future, we
would recommend that the expenditure
for improvements be as light as possible
10 sufficiently supply room for the above
stated time.
And in consideration of the constant
repairs and additions which have be n
here tofore and must continually be
made to these old buildings mourning
great expense without producing bene-
fetal results, and in further considera-
tion of the great number of employees
required, by reason Of the unfitness and
position of the buildings; of the rapid
increase in the number of the patients,
incident upon the increase of population,
the entire unfitness of the buildings at
present in u-e for comfort and economy,
the excessive cost of transportation, rhs
long time consumed in making the trip,
which We consider detrimental To the
welfare aud speedy recovery of the pa
tients, the high price of vegetables, fruits
and farm products of all kinds, and the
very limited amount of agricultural
lands, the uncertainty Of the time when
We may be admitted as State.
la consideration of the above condi. |
tiOns, we would favor an appropriation |
for the construction of new building |
rs a Hospital for the Insane, tn he erect |
ed convenient to some line of transport |
alton, upon at least l60 acres of good |
agricultural land with good water facil- |
itics, and conveniently near timber, |
east of the Cascade Noun |
tains in Eastern Washington Territory. |
JOHN BRINING, Chairman.