The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-09

CONSIDERATION.
| CAPITOL SITE.
AT the last general election the seat oil
government was permanently located in
the city of Helena. Inasmuch as com
Portable quarters for the use of the state
can be rented and the safety of the arch
| ives assured, l do not deem il advisable
at this time to incur expense in the mat
ter of erecting buildings. | recommend,
however. that provision be made for the
appointment of a commission, non-parti-
san in character, whose duty il shall be to
procure a site for capitol building, while
suitable grounds can be purchased at a
minimum expense to the state.
SOLDIERS HOME.
Among the institutions enumerated in
section l, article Y of the constitution of
Montana, to be established and supported
by the state, is a soldiers home. In the
urgency of other claims, the creation of
an institution of this character has been
overlooked. IL it be the policy of the
state to consummste the purposes of the
trainers OF the constitution, and provide
Tor the necessities of the patriots to
whom we owe a debt of gratitude impos-
sible to cancel, then steps should be
taken to establish a soldiers home. Time
VIII defeat the best intentions along this
line, and prompt action will alone make
such an institution useful to old and
Hccuy ueIcHuerS OF the nag.
ELEEMosYNARY INSTITUTIONS.
In my message to the third legislati We
assembly recommended the creation of
an orphans home It is with pardonable
pride that refer to an institution of this
character now in successful operation at
Twin Bridges. A suitable building has
been erected, and under the management
OF an able board of trustees, the success
OF the home is assured.
AT Boulder the deaf and dumb school is
progressing satisfactorily in apartments
leased for the purpose. / recommend
that provisions be made whereby feeble
minded and idiotic children can be sent
TO the insane asylum, instead of to this
school. believing the best interests of the
state can be served under an arrange
ment of this kind. In the higher interests
OF humanity, the orphans home and the
deaf and dumb school can not be too
literally treated by the state.
PENITENTIARIEs.
AT the last session of the legislative as
sembly an appropriation of S72, 900 was
made for the construction of the eastern
state prison at Billings. Forty-two thous-
ana dollars OF thus amount was appropri-
ated for 189 and $4,000 for 1894. The cit
liens of Yellowstone county donated 40
acres OF land for the prison site, and as
soon as title thereto was vested in the
state, active steps were taken in the mat
ter OF erecting building. Much embar-
rassment was caused, however, by the
fact that the third legislative assembly
about S201,OO1 in excess of
the revenues, and that during the great
panic over $1,000 were locked
up in the banks.
After a most thorough investigation
into the financial resources of the state,
and careful estimate as to the amount
OF revenues for the fiscal year 1898, the
board of examiners was unable to certify
TO the board OF state prison commission
ers that any portion of the appropriation
for the eastern prison for that year
could be made available. The status of
this appropriation could not be deter
mined until December, after the taxes
had been collected. Ii was found that |
only $1,000 out of total appropriation of |
$4,000 was available for the purpose
As contracts preliminary TO the |
erection OF a building had been let. it was |
held that this money could be applied in |
payment of work done in the following |
year, instead of being covered into the |
general fund. Excellent progress was |
made in 1894 in the line of construction. |
A total of S36.06919 has been expended |
On this institution during the past two |
Years, and il will require an additional |
Investment of $4,000 to complete the |
building and furnish it. | earnestly recon-
mend an appropriation sufficient to insure |
he early completion of the eastern state
prison.
Necessary improvements have been
made at the penitentiary at Deer Lodge,
'ne of the most important of which is a |
stone wall. The management |
II this prison has been excellent, and the
lest results possible under the contract
ystem have been attained.
INSANE ASYLUM.
The care of the unfortunate is always
me of the first duties of those entrusted
With affairs of state. 1t is a responsibility
hat must be bravely and cheerfully borne
" every well regulated community in the
and. 1t is gratifying to reflect that the
insane in Montana could not have had |
he benefit of better care or treatment I'M
er any circumstances than at present.
The percentage of cures have been remark
bly, large. Thus is due in a large degree
D the medicinal properties of the water
sed IN the asylum at Warm Springs
'hich has proved very beneficial in its eff
ects upon the patients confined there. |
While the best results have been obtained
{ a minimum expense to the state under
he contract system, the experience of | /
lder states has demonstrated the advis-
bilIty OF placing such institutions under | ,
ne direct control of the commonwealth,
trough the superintendency of a warden
hose duties are defined by law. Business
rudence would suggest that steps be
lken to procure proper site in the near | ,
lture, and that a commission for that :
urpose be appointed, whose duty it ,
lould be TO investigate and report during ,
lis session. The medicinal advantages
the present site of the asylum are such /
lat deem its purchase by the state a ,
latter worthy of careful consideration. ,
Though its immediate purchase Is not !
under existing financial con- :
ltions, | understand that arrangements :
IN be made for securing II on reasonable :
rms. recommend that the question of I
hanging the constitution so as to permit
lie issuance of bonds for the purpose of n
lrchasing this or some other suitable :
to for an insane asylum TO be placed un- !
sr state control, be submitted to the 5
'ters of Montana at the general election 1
1896. !
MONTANA STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
Two years ago 1 recommended the en-
'tment of law creating a state reform
hool, wherein youthful offenders could
disciplined and converted, if possible, 4