The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1893-12-23
THE BRANCH ASYLUM.

During the last session of the legis-
lature bill was passed providing that
a site for branch insane asylum, to
be known as "the Eastern Oregon IN
sane asylum" should be located within
sixty days after the act became law,
and the emergency clause provided
tina. this should take effect and be In
force from and after its approval by
the governor. This was filed in the
effice of the secretary of state Feb. FL,
1898. The board to select the site
under the provisions of the law was
the governor, state treasurer and sec
retary of state ,ssand they made tour
of Eastern Oregon early in The spring,
visiting every available location. Be
foce decision was reached the injunc-
tion suit was instituted against locat-
ing the soldiers home away from the
seat of government" at Salem, and
the same constitutional provision was
held to apply with equal force TO the
branch asylum. The matter was held
in abeyance until the supreme court
decided in favor of locating the SOL
diers' home at Koseburg where the
statute provided, and then the Official
board. who had made an examination
of every point in Eastern Oregon sew
eral months previously, appointed
committee of physicians to report on
the climatic and other conditions
which might influence the health OF
patients at the points suitable for the.
location. The Dalles IS the last place
en- the list, and the committee will
have finished their examination this
evening and will proceed to Salem to-
morrow morning.
The TINES MoUNTAIKEER has said
little or nothing in favor of this city
for the location of the branch asylum,
believing that the evidence should be
fully heard before any argument was
made; but we believe the time is now
opportune to present our advantages.
The Dalles has many advan-
tages for the location, and prominent
among these may be reckoned easy ac-
cesslbility to wood and water, and the
natural beauty of the situation.
The heaIthfulness of the climate is
we'll known, and there is no malaria
and diseases do not become epidemic.
As is proved by meteorological reports
for many years past, the winters are
less severe and the temperature of
summer less oppressive than in other
portions of Eastern Oregon. By
careful computation the deatha rate is
lower in this city than in any other
place east Of the Cascades.
In few years there will be an open
river to the sea, and transportation to
and from The Dalles will be cheaper
than to and from any other point in
the Inland Empire. This is great
in the economical view
of the subject, and will be an import
ant one to taxpayers.
1t is advisable that asylums in the
'ame state should not be separated by
eng distances, as this would make it
in exchanging patients.
This is considered in other states a
natter of great Importance, and we
believe it is one that should receive
attention in Oregon.
The location of the branch insane
sylum in Eastern Oregon should be
It point that would afford the great
st benefits to the unfortunate persons |
n whose interests it is to be made, and |
lothing of personal or of political
lature should receive the least atten- |
ion. Those who have been intrusted
nth the selection of the site, are pub
ic officials. and the people will con-
ider them derelict to their trusts if |
hey consider any other object than
he public veal. We believe The
)alles has many advantages which are
et possessed by other points, and our
ltizens entertain great hopes that an
IMPARTIAL judgment of the board will
ecide that the branch asylum for
Eastern Oregon should be located iu
his city.