St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-08

ability and success continue to characterize
the management of these schools, that have
given them the high standing they occupy
among institutions of their class throughout
the country. Minnesota occupies an advanced
position in her work in behalf of the benef-
cent charity dispensed through the agency of
these schools. | have no doubt they will
secure such recognition at your hands as
may be required for their future best interests
and usefulness. There has been a moderate
increase in the pupils of each department,
the proportion being largest in the school for
the feeble minded Two hundred and fifty
three pupils were in attendance the past year,
divided as follows: deaf and dumb, ISL,
blind fOrty-two, and feeble minded sixty.
A substantial structure has been added to the
blind institute at cost of $36, 57S.31, which
provides all needed accomm odations for years
to come. The building for mbeciles has also
been enlarged to nearly double its capacity at
u cost of about $24 600. The superintendent of
this school reports that while the new build
ing will accommodate fifty children, the
admitted applications are already eighty
five, and that further accommodations are
imperatively demanded.
the board are OF the opinion that two Gus
todial buildings should be added to the pre-
sent structure at an estimated cost of $50
600. | am persuaded that the work of this
school could be organized upon basis that
would produce better results as regards one
class OF its pupils, if separate building
could be provided for them, and | therefore
recommend an appropriation OF $50, 600 for
that purpose.
If due regard to the condition of the treas
ury and the wants of other institutions and
49, L.,
would permit, would be inclined to endorse
the full recommendation of the board. You
cannot, however, respond to all requests for
appropriations, without increasing the tax
levy, aud, in my view, nothing but an over
shadowing emergency would warrant you in
doing that at this time.
In May, 1888, the shops attached to the
deaf and dumb institute were burned, and
the board ask for an appropriation OF $40, 900
to replace them. The industrial training,
which is an essential part of the education
provided by this school, requires proper shops
for the purpose, and therefore recommend
that the burned building be replaced. Though
no reference to the matter is made in the re
port of the directors, l recommend that
| authority be granted them to expend a
sum sufficient To make more secure
the deaf and dumb building from fire. The
dividing stone walls that separate the struc-
ture into divisions should be extended
through the roof, and iron doors placed in
all openings communicating through them.
A precautiou of this character saved the ST..
Peter hos pital from total destruction at the
time of the fire in, 1880.
The estimate for current expenses for all
the schools will require S74, 500 for 1885,
and ST., 800 for 1887. the expenditures
tue past two years were as follows:
Deaf and Dumb. Blind. Imbecile.
| 1888 ..........2 81 ,06S. IS 7,3l4.l5 6,917.S0
1854 ,.........33, 1925 16,577.9S 12,4S1.42
STATE PRISON.
The report of the inspectors and warden of
the state prison fully informs you regarding
the catastrophe that nearly destroyed that in
stitution last winter, and the measures that
were adopted for its reconstruction. During
the night of the eighth of January last por-
| ton OF the shops in which the convicts were
employed was burned, and on the twenty
| httn of the same month another fire reduced
to ruins the building of the prison proper
with nearly all its contents. The affairs of
the prison were, in consequence, neces-
sariIy thrown into great confusion. All pro-
| vision for the security and employment Of
| the convcts was destroyed or rendered USE
| less Tor the time. The only barrier
between the convcts and their
| liberty was the prison wall and
the prison guard. These must have soon
| yielded TO determined effort of $50 des-
/ perate men had it been made, but for the
GOODNESS and exceeding good management of
| Warden Reed aud his aids, speedily rein
forced by a detachment OF the state militia.
| A portion of the convicts were at once re-
moved 10 the jails of Ramsey, Hennepin,
! Washington, Dakota and WinOna counties,
| and such provision made for the remainder
| within the prison walls as was practicable
! Though the weather was severe, very little
! discomfort was suffered by the convicts, not
| as much, indeed, as was endured by the
militia in guarding them. That portion of
/ the prison building containing the cells bad
| lost its roof, but was otherwise not much in
/ jured, there being but little ombnstible ma
| tera in its construction. AtempOrary roof
was soon in place, and within week the
male convicts were returned to their cells,
and tue work Of recon structiOn commenced
| One Of the shops destroyed By the hTt fire
was the property of the state; the others had
| been built by the contractors for the convict
| labor. II was determined by the board OF
] inspectors, after consultation with the attor-
| uey general and myself, TO rebuild the shop
| that had belonged TO the state, and also 10
restore the prison tuilding upon an i'm
| proved plan as to its interior arrangement
! and construction. This has been done, and
! the structures are com pleted aud now II USE
| Respecting the new prison the inspectors
| say: ''rhe building as 1t now stands is vast
| Improvement on the old one, good, solid
| substantial structure, all covered with heavy
| iron roof, with iron rafters, and we regard
it as almost absolutely fire proof" For
| further details respecting the condition and
| progress OF affairs following the fires, and
| also the work Of rebuilding, l refer YOU to
| the report OF the inspectors and warden "a
| the prison.
The cost Of the new prison building, In
| GLIDING the roof Of the cell room, Is about
| S4S. 900. The new shop was contracted for
| at $33, 900, and So, 700 was expended in re-
| storing the engine aud boiler room, making
| a total Of S73, 200 as the cost of replacing
! the structures destroyed by fire. The loss
| on furniture and supplies destroyed with the
! buildings was 81. 1888. The inspectors
| had placed S21,043Sl insurance upon the
| property, which has been collected, and 10
| that amount has met the loss sustained by
| fires. As existing appropriations did not
/ cOntemplue such an extraordinary emer-
| gcncy, the financial problem involved in the
| restoration Of the prison WAS somewhat EN-
! barrassing, but WAS TO some extent relieved
/ by an offer on the part Of a few public
! spirited citizens of the city Of Saltwater to
| advance $751; 10 aid in the work. The
! oifer was accepted condiuOnally, and was
! held in reserve as a resourse II required.
| did not. however, use any part of IT,. The
standing appropriations, together with the
/ insurance aud the prison earnings, have
! been sufficient 10 meet the cost OF rebuilding
/ within about $4,000 which amount is now
due to contractors, aud ior which an appro-
/ priaiion will be required. The inspectors
/ were not authorized under the statute to alb