[ No. 6. ]

REPORT of Special Committee appointed to visit the Insane Asylum at Kalamazoo.

The special committee appointed under a resolution of the House, "to visit the Asylum for the Insane, at Kalamazoo, for the purpose of examining that institution in its details, also for the purpose of inquiring into the propriety and necessity of the appropriation asked for by the Board of Trustees, in order that they may report thereon to this House," beg leave to say, that the gentleman from Wayne, one of said committee, was unable to perform the journey on account of sickness. A majority of said committee have, however, discharged the duties assigned them, and respectfully submit the following report:

Under the resolution above referred to, your committee do not feel called upon to make any statement in regard to the size, plan, progress or present condition of the Asylum building, as the facts in regard to that are fully and 'truthfully set forth in the report of the Board of Trustees, to which we beg leave to refer.

We deemed it our duty to examine the building more

particularly in regard to its strength, the durability of its materials, the economy of its construction, and, so far as we were able to judge, its fitness for the purpose for which it was designed.

First. The foundation is laid deep and there is no appearance of settling, breaking or defects of any kind in its walls.

Second. The materials used in its construction are ina ll respects the best of their kind, while the work is neat, thorough and substantial.

Third. We were unable to discover any waste of material or labor, either in temporary fixtures or for purposes of display, and if any one, from whatever cause, has supposed that any portion of the building was designed for mere show, we are confident that a close inspection of the building itself would produce a very different impression.

Fourth. In regard to fitness, your committee are aware that any opinion we may give will be entitled to very little weight with this House, and we have simply to say, the rooms and wards are all airy, cheerful and pleasant.

The system of heating by steam and lighting with gas, as also the plan of ventilation and sewerage, appear perfect, while the arrangement for securing at all times a supply of pure water is admirable.

Every portion of the building, and its appearance, is well adapted to the use it is designed to serve. Even the cupolas, that would appear a matter of ornament, compose a portion of the plan of ventilation, and could not be dispensed with. In addition to this, there is an air of plainness and simplicity, combined with architectural beauty, that pervades the whole. The most simple and trivial essentials have not been overlooked, while all that could be desired has been done to make the building safe and agreeable for the patient.

Having briefly presented our views in regard to the

building itself, we come now to consider "the propriety and necessity of the appropriation asked for by the Board of Trustees;" and the first inquiry to be answered is, does the State need such an institution? Upon this point we have very little to say. In all civilized countries, it is admitted to be the duty of the State to provide a suitable place for the treatment and cure of that most unfortunate, hopeless and helpless of all the human race, the insane.

Twenty-three years has Michigan been a State, and there is now no place within her limits where one of her four hundred and fifty insane, three hundred of whom are known to be proper subjects for Asylum treatment, can go with any certainty of kind treatment or proper care. Unless they are removed from the State, as most of them cannot be, there can be no hope of cure for them, and their case is not only hopeless, so far as regards them-, selves, but they are always the cause of deep anxiety, and often danger to their friends.

Too long has this matter been delayed already, and yet if the amount asked for be granted and expended, the building will then accomodate less than half the number that need immediate treatment.

It cannot be necessary to multiply reasons, or to resort to argument, where the honor of the State is so deply concerned.

The next inquiry is, will the appropriation, if made, be honestly and judiciously expended?

We believe up to this time there is no cause of complaint in this regard. From our own observation, and the best information we were able to obtain, we are satisfied that the appropriations so far have been well expended, and that there has been neither waste or extravagance allowed by the present or former Board of Trustees.

Taking into consideration the high prices that have prevailed for provisions, labor and material, during the most

of the time the work has been in progress, it is gratifying to find that so much has been accomplished.

But if this were otherwise, the matter is wholly under the control of the Legislature, and the plea of former extravagance, dishonesty, or incapacity of public agents, should have no weight when urged against the building up of necessary State institutions.

There remains, then, one simple question to be considered-will the people of the State bear to be taxed to complete this institution, and will they consent to pay a liberal portion of that tax within the next two years?

Thirteen thousand dollars will prepare the building for the accommodation of ninety female patients only, and at great disadvantage and inconvenience, while a trifle over one hundred thousand dollars will prepare it for the accommodation of one hundred and forty-four patients, about an equal number of each sex, and render the treatment, comparatively easy and successful.

The assessed value of the property of the State, at the time of the last equalization, was very near one hundred and fifty millions of dollars. We have not the means of knowing what it was the last late that it has been very much increased within the last two years.

year, but it is safe to calcu

But taking the returns of 1856 as the basis of valuation, and $100,000 as the amount to be raised in two years on that valuation, levying an equal amount each year, the tax would be one-third of one mill on the dollar, on the whole valuation of the State.

The person owning $100 of property would be required to pay three cents; the person owning $1,000 would pay thirty-three cents; while the person owning $10,000 would pay three dollars and thirty-three cents--an amount that would scarcely be perceived in the tax rolls of the State.

We prefer to meet this question as it should be met, boldly and in its worst form, and therefore do not conceal