The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-10-05
The SPRINGFIELD ESTATE.
The Asylum Trustees Are Free to Purchase
Other Property.

The question of a site for the new State
insane asylum was reopened on Tuesday at Il
meeting of the board of trustees.
September the board selected as The site
part of .'Springfed. the estate of Governor
Brown. in Carroll county. The price agreed
upon was $50. 900 for not less that $50 acres.
At the meeting Tuesday all the members
of the board were present except MesSrs
Marion DeKalb Smith and j. H. Mitchell.
As soon as the meeting was called to order
Governor Brown submitted the following
communication
.'Since our last meeting have had resur-
veyed my farm, Springfield, preparatory to
conveying portion Of the same to the State
of Maryland. following the expressed views
of the board at its last meeting 10 purchase
$50 acres for the sum of $50. 900.
''ln the resurvey have embraced the $50
acres before referred to and added 10 this 1913
acres, making total of 72S acres. which |
am willing to convey to the State for the sum
Of $4,000 This will include all the main
buildings on the farm, now insured at $50, 0OG.
and which cost from S1j, 100 to 500. 900 to
build. | have had seeded about so acres OF
barley and about the same quantity OF wheat.
which am willing to turn over to the State
for the cost of fertilizer and grass seed. max
ing no charge for the labor incurred in pre-
pairing the ground and seeding the crop. |
am also willing Ia leave upon the property
about 100 acres of corn fodder after my corn
is gathered. and if the board desires will dis
pose of whatever hay or other personal prop
erty it may need at such terms and valuation
as the board may deem proper cOnsidera-
ton for the same. or will remove il promptly
and vacate the buildings if preferred.
My main residence is furnished. Tins
furniture am perfectly willing to donate to
the State or will remove the same If desired
by the board And will also donate all the
winter supplies that had prepared for my
family, such as vegetables, ETC., from the
gardens for the use of the institution 1t de
sired.
''In proposing to dispose of this property
to the State | have not lost sight OF the fact
that am the president of the board eN ofiiclo.
and am also owner Of the property which Is
under consideration, and am therefore repre-
senting both the buyer and seller if the prop
crty should be purchased.
I'm recommending to your honorable
board the purchase of this property ! do 50
believing that the State interest would be
best subserved by its purchase. The property
is. in the eyes of all fair minded judges, worth
far more than the consideration. As has been
evidenced by the sales by myself and other
owners in the neighborhood and adjoining,
but | am ready to JOIN with the board in max
inc the best possible investment that it can
make for the benefit of the State for III" pur-
poses for which the purchase is ordered.
Having been informed that some of the
members Of the board hesitate about purchiIS-
ing this property from myself. (beln% mem
Der of the board. | will not attempt to m
luence the members of this commission IN
the purchase of this property when there IS
l,nft. II,,-n tl1I ont
for the State. and therefore respectfully
suggest that an opportunity be given the
members of the board who are hesitatlng t0
make selection which they would feel safe
in recommending to the people of the Stare
as a better financial transaction. II such Il
property can be found, am prepared to loln
with them in its purchase without regard 10
any action that the board may have taken
look ing to the purchase of my farm. Spring
field
II take the liberty to urge upon you the
importance of selecting such Il property a.
YOU. as the board of managers for the terms
for which YOU have been appointed, can III
your Judgment make sufficiently productive
rs not to involve the State IN too heavy eN'
penditure for improving the fertility and the
general condition of the property, 50 as to
make il what the people of the State should
haVe-a properly WhlcH can ne Slo"i VIZ"
pride to all corners who may visit it for The
purpose of comparing it with the property
| purchased by other States for institutions "l
"A similar character.
II hope that your deliberations may result
! in serving the best interests of the State. an,
| that whatever property y0u may determn,
| upon will be such as will be most conducive
| to the health and mental recovery of the I'M
fortunate who may he confined within it.
walls.
After receiving this communication re<o
| luton was passed by the board asking tho
Governor to give the board an option on the
| property until November 10. which ne con
| Srntpd To do