Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-01-11
Governor Mers Biennial Message Suggests Many Changes

nizing this undesirable condition OK
affairs directed the purchase OF the
Nicholson property adjoining the Cap
itol grounds on the south but the e.
fort was unsuccessful.
The State House Commission, AFTER
considering these matters, suggests
that a one-story addition (similar to
, the library sectiou) be made at the
rear Of the Senate wing. They have
had prepared an outline plan and OBJ
tanned tentative figures FOR such an adj
dtion as in their opinion will provide
for these departments and such others
as the future requirements may de-
mand.
State Comptroller.
The State Auditor, under the laws
which apply to the conduct Of his Of
| fee. is but little more than veriher OF
accounts.
This Office should be- raised to the
dignity OF that OF Comptroller and the
incumbent clothed with the power and
authority exercised by such an officer.
vesting him with this enlarged
power, which will afford him a better
opportunity TO protect the interests OF
the State. should not require any adj
ditional salary.
State Hospital for the Insane.
This institution. located at FARM
hurst. was created by the Legislature
TO care for the insane. II is a State in
stitutiou and the State Is specifically
charged with its maintenance and sup
| -. I1ff v.nntg1affaN
the past two years was 49S, maintain
ed at a cost ofS19s, 900. There is stpres-
ent in this account deficit Of $4,000.
This deficit covers a period OF four
years and results from the fact
that the 1915 General Assem-
bly, overlooked the previous two years
deficit and failed 10 appropriate
funds To cover II.
You should understand that the
number of inmates varies from time
to time and the trustees cannot de-
. termine two years in advance the
number for which they will be re-
, quired TO provide II has always
!, been the custom OF the trustees to
state TO the General Assembly the
exact amount needed for ensuing two
, years. which sum is based upon the
number in the institution al the time
the appropriation Is passed, and az
this number varies there Is generally
a deficit. to cover which the General
1 Assembly has always made an ap-
propriation at the beginning OF each
, session.
Approximately $4,000 was TO-
ceived from pay patients. larger
sum than usual because several
doubtful accounts we're collected.
$4,000 Is the sum estimated 10 be
received from pay patients during the
next two years. SIS patients is the
estimate for the ensuing two years,
\ assuming the cost per capita 70 be
: IS cents per day (based on present
wages and food prices) which will
require s206,772. Deducting the *25.-
u 600 estimated receipts from pay
patients. you have s1s1.7T2, the exact
10 sum which will have TO he appropri-
ated for the next two years mainten'
= ance.
These details are presented to giv'
a you the information you should pos
sess since few members of the Gen
y eral Assembly read the reports sub
D. mitted bv the trustees and. therefore
- never obtain the knowledge yol
~ should have regarding the institu
- ton.
80 You can readily understand tha
large institution Of this character
=, suffers damage unless repairs ant
upkeep are looked after. For tht
purpose the trustees will request al
!, appropriation of $1,000. Consider
"a ing the size and character OF III
~ buildings. and the neglect to provid
nc for this item IN the past. the amour
70 desired gems reasonable.
as The overcrowded and resulting m
10 sanitary conditions assumed such
OF serious aspect in 1914 that the Gen
eral Assembly in 1915 authorized
bond issue Of $4,000. bearing pc
Nv cent. interest. the proceeds to be ap
w plied to the construction of an add
or tiopal building. Al this low rate Q
interest the bonds could not be sol
in the open market. They were nnal
IL " disposed Of in small blocks TO in
he dividual investors. While these trans
go actions were being consummate
IN wages and material prices advance
IL with such rapidly that the contraC
by price of the building increased owe
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