Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-11-05
THE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
A Voluntary Report of Olympia Ex-

NOluhtdTS hcpoFt OI olympia En-
pertS.
On Tuesday of last week, Messrs. f.
I. Young and Robert Frost, of this
place, visited the new building at Fort
Steilacoom, to inspect the work re-
garding which there has been SO much
controversy for some time past. Their
trip was one of recreation and pleasure,
but it is probable that a modicum of
that characteristic inherited from
Mother Eve-curiosity-suggested the
direction their ramblcs should take.
Be that as it may, their visit will re-
suit in throwing more light on sub
ject that has hitherto been involved in
darkness by the cloud of dust kicked
up by parties interested, or think they
should have been interested, in the
contract.
Both these gentlemen are well quail
flied for forming and expressing an
opinion on the merits of the work
done, as well as its mode of construc-
ton. Mr.. Young served a seven
years apprenticeship as builder, and
has had charge of many large con-
tracts in the old country, England,
while Mr.. Frost is equally experienced
in the practical details of brick-laying.
Their report will he read with interest,
as we'll as that OF the Tacoma experts,
who have likewise made an examina-
ton and submitted report, which
we copy from the News:
OLYMPIA, w. T., Oct. 2G, 1856.
Having heard much controversy
about the new asylum at Fort Stella
COON, and having formerly been ex-
tensively engaged in building enter
prises, to satisfy ourselves as to the
character of the materials used and
the manner of construction, we made
a visit of inspection to the new build
ing. We were cOurteously received by
| the contractors, Mcssrs. J. ID. Rainey
and sons, and the supervising archi-
tect, J. &. Proctor, who showed us all
through the structure, asked us to
thoroughly examine the walls already
built and the brick now being used.
We had holes made in the walls in
various places, and examined the
brick on the scaffOlds and in the kiln
from which they arc taken. We found
the walls built of good quality OF
brick, better than the average of this
region, and the workmanship of very
superior character, the brick being
well bedded in mortar of lime, cement
and sand in such proportions as to
| guarantee frmness and durability
The building presents handsome ap-
pearance, being made of brick of uni
form color. This uniformity of color
could only have been obtained by us
ing brick all made of the same mater
ial. We saw no occasion to find fault
either with the commissioners or con-
trectOrs. We found no difference in
the work condemned by the former
architect, Mr.. Boone, and that ac-
cepted by him. We would not have
found the condemned part if it had
not been pointed out to us. We are
entirely satisfied that the brick work
is strong, substantial and durable; We
consider the material used is equal to
any within reach of the place; in fact
the brick made at SteilacoOm have al
ways had the name of being best on the
Sound. We believe the specifications
for the building have been reasonably
and substantially complied with, and
that building is being erected which
is a credit to the Territory. In con-
clusion we believe all this controversy
is nothing but spite work on the part
of the former architect, Mr.. Boone,
and some of the Seattle builders.
We also think the Seattle builders
must have been hard up for material
to condemn people when they indulge
in a fling at faithful public officer
who had manifested great care, wisdom
and prudence in this matter. Not be-
ing able to find fault with anything he
did, they quote the statement of a
newspaper writer and oblige it to be the
language of the acting Governor. Mr..
Cavanaugh, in his paper of the 23d
inst, in an editorial, declares that the
editorial of the 9th inst, referred to-
was written by him, and that the
words injected in the report of these
Seattle gentlemen, were so far as we
know, never uttered by him."
E. Il. YOUNG,
ROBERT FROST
| OTHER TESTIMONY.
| Wy Not 0G 1000