Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-05
AMATTEROF MERRITT
That On Which the Asylum
Location Should Rest.
WATER THE CHIEF ESSENTIAL.

History OF Other Institutions In This
aud Other States Demonstrates This
Fact-Monmouth ami GaIesbnrg Heard
From.
The location of the new insane
hospital should depend entirely upon
the merits of the various competitive
points considered in connection with
the location. As has been told and
reiterated in The ARGUS, the ques-
ton of water was the prime essen
tial considered by the legislature in
framing the bill providing for the
northwestern hospital. 1t was an
orr sinal provision of that bill that
the Institution be located on a run
ming stream, but this clause was
omitted for prudent and polite rea-
sons in the interest of the measure
as whole. and to avoid prejudice
that might attach with the section
included. and not in spirit indicat-
ing in the least any waning in the
conviction on the part of the legisla-
ture that water should be the chief
requisite of the locality having the
best site. The argument thus af-
forded by the position of the legisla-
ture is fully sustained by letters
from the superintendent of other asy-
lums in Illinois and in Iowa as well,
copies of which Commissioner 7. j.
Medill, of this city, has fore
stalled himself with, impressing the
all importance of the water question
in consideration of the sites pro-
posed. The Chicago Tribune recog-
nizes the fact that the water ad-
vantages, if past experience and the
warnings of those who are in a posi-
ton to speak with practical knowl-
edge and without bias or prejudice
are to be taken into account. are to
have the greatest possible weight in
settling the location.
Trustee Medilrs Views.
81 have sought to impress the
question of water and drainage upon
the board" said Commissioner Me-
dill this morning, sas of greater inn
portance in this matter than all the
money that could be offered by a
competitive point. We stand on our
merits and ask to be so judged. 1
would ike to have enough additional
money subscribed here to enable the
presentation outright of any site
that may be selected, if purchased
at reasonable terms, and have so
expressed myself to the local COM
mittee, but to attempt to cover Mon
mouths pile that has nothing to back
it up, as far as an advantageous loca-
ton meeting the requirements of the
| situation is concerned, would be alb
surd. All Rock Island county should
do is to offer any site. free to the
state. that may be selected without
bonus or other inducement beyond
the natural advantages, which money
cannot provide. To be in a position
to cover the price of any of the tracts
in the county submitted, there
should be $4,000 to $4,000 more
subscribed
Mr.. Medill's views are practically
in accord with those expressed by
| The ARGUS of last evening. Rock
Island county is not in competition
for prize that is to be knocked
down to the highest bidder, without
regard to merit or fitness. 1t is not
going to an auction sale. 1t stands
ready to offer the state, gratis, a site
for the hospital and show good rea-
sons why, in point of water supply,
of drainage, and of such other natural
advantages as its location in the
state, etc., it should have the loca-
ton. 1t is offering no tempting
bride or tribute to win.
In Monmouth.
| The Monmouth Review even in the
light of the 100000 temptation
offered the state of Illinois for the
institution acknowledges that the
water subject may put it out of the
question. 1t says:
1.-The Galesburg and Rock Island
people who thought Monmouth was
not in it in the asylum matter
have changed their minds now.
Monmouth is strictly i'm it, She
may not get the institution, but it
will only be because she is not
located on the banks of good rum
ming stream"
The Review states that papers had
been forwarded to Chairman Eden
setting forth the water question from
the Monmouth standpoint. but that
he did not receive them in time for
the Springfield meeting. and re-
marks:
The trustees meet at Springfield
again next Monday, and in the mean
time the two matters of water and
sewerage will be cleared up to the
satisfaction, it is believed. of all in
| terested.
dispatches from Galesburg this
morning say that a meeting will be
held there today, and that steps will
be taken to increase Galesburg's bid
so that site can be donated to the
state free of cost. The trustees and
the governor. however, have given
assurance that the postponement of
| the matter is not for the pur-
pose of allowing the bids to be
raised, but that the decision of the
location depends wholly on the two