Year: 1869

The question of rebuilding or removing
this Asylum Is one of the most important
that will engage the attention of this ses-
sion of the Legislature. A joint select
committee was appointed at the November
session to inquire into the origin of the
fire, the extent of the damage, the practi-
cability OF rebuilding on the ruins, and as
to the propriety and policy of selling the
present grounds and erecting a new
structure at some other point. Thiseom-
tmittee was in session several days during
the recess, making examination and taking
testimony in the matter. We understand
that a majority and minority report are to
be made. The majority report recon-
mends that the old Lunatic Asylum
be converted qinto a Blind Asylum,
to answer for the proposed new
Blind Asylum, and that all the grounds
not needed for this purpose be sold. There
is no Recommendation of any particular
point, but it is understood that some of the
committee favor some locality near Column
bus, while others desire it removed to some
point in another part of the district. The
minority report, prepared by Mr.. HUTcHE-'
SON, Senator from franklin, chairman of
the committee takes the ground that it is
practicable to reconstruct the old Asylum;
building, and that in consideration of the
speedier accommodations which will thus
be afforded to the lunatic patients of the
district, and of the greater economy tf
this policy for the State, that measures
should be taken for rebuilding at the earl
lest practicable moment.


The reports have not yet been submitted
to the General Assembly, but we are in
formed that Mr.. HUTCHINSON presents the
following points:


That it will not be polite to leave the
patients that belonged to this Asylum in
the other Asylums of the State, where they
were placed after the fire, any longer than
possible to remove them; that it crowds
those institutions beyond their capacity
creates additional expense and inconven-
ience to the public, and ieopardizes the
tics that were sent home, and all the new
cases, have. for the most part, to be confined
in the county jails; that by reconstructing
the old Asylum, portion of it can be put
in readiness for the reception of patients
| by the first of June next, whereas the
erection OF a new building will require
delay of at least three years..


In support of these opinions be cites the
authority of Mr.. KELLEY, the architect,
who examined the ruins, and of DR.. PECK,
| the Superintendent. $3.50 20


That this reconstruction would not cost
to exceed $3.50 600, while a new structure
would cost at least s75O0OO; and careful
calculations made by Mr.. KELLEY are in
troduced to support the position. $50


That if the site is sold it will not realize
enough to pay for the buildings and i'm
provements that were not injured by the
fire; the value of these is put at S140, COO,
and of the material in the walls at $120.000,
and that the sixty-eight acres would not
bring over 1900 per acre, nor much more
if cut up into lots. .sa
That there is no immediate necessity for
new Blind Asylum, but if there were not
room enough, the blind might safely be
left at home. while the safety of the public
required that lupatics should be confined.


That over million dollars has been
raised within about four years for these
| Institutions of benevolence, and if new
Lunatic Asylum is to be erected 1t will
swell. the amount to about too millions.


That the necessary amount to rebuild
the old Asylum can be advanced from the
sinking fund, and be replaced in time to
meet the demands upon it for State debt
and interest. by greater. economy in public
expenditures, land especially by shorter
sessions of the Legislature, without adding
a single mill to the tax duplicate. ,s. T..--


we hope the recommendations of the
minority report will be adopted. There
are many other questions discussed in, this
report, which. we will notice at another
time. lE'F sf- ala u 'io3
s