other way. It was, therefore, decided so to change the original plan as to put a basement under the whole building. It was also found necessary to increase the thickness of that portion of the outside walls in which were to be constructed heating and ventilating flues." These changes in the original plan, although considerably increasing the expense of the building, were deemed entirely indispensable in order to have the building, when completed, answer fully the purpose for which it was intended. These changes in the original plan increased the expense of that portion of the building erected in 1857. about $3,000, and of that portion erected in 1858. about $4,000. The estimated increase of expense growing out of these changes in finishing the building hereafter, is $2,000making the whole increase of expense, $9,000. Excavations were commenced as early as practicable in the spring of 1857, and the walls carried to a level with the second story floor during that year. The work was resumed as early as the weather would permit in 1858. and is now nearly completed, so far as it was expected that the appropriation would complete it; that is, to erect the walls of the main building, and the connecting wings, and put on the roof. The appropriation of $75,000, made in February, 1857, was based upon an estimate of the expense of erecting the walls of the main building and the connecting wings, and putting on the roof; of furniture, fencing, &c.; of carrying on the Institution two years; paying for land already purchased, and to pay an arrearage for money advanced by the Acting Commissioner, and which had not been drawn from the Treasury. By reference to the annexed statement of receipts and expenditures, it will be seen that only $70,315 87 of that appropriation have been drawn. The balance of the appropriation, $4,684 13, being retained to cancel the amount overdrawn, and reported the previous year, to complete the school wing, thus leaving the amount to be used for building purposes nearly $5,000 00 less than the estimate, while the change of plan has increased the expense thus far $7,000 00, leaving a deficiency, according to the esti mate, of about $12,000 00. But by strict economy, and a favorable change in the price of labor, lumber and provisions, the work estimated according to the plan has been done about $5,000 00 below the estimate, leaving the actual deficiency only about $7,000 00. By reference to the report of the "Trustees of the Michigan State Asylum," for the year 1855 and 1856, it will be seen that the estimated cost of the buildings for the Asylums for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, including gas pipe and plumbing, was $150,000 00. Of that amount, $30,500 00 was then reported as having been expended in completing the school wing. Of the amount expended since that time, about $46,500 00 is chargeable to building account, making the whole amount expended in building up to the present time $77,000 00, leaving of the estimated expense of the buildings, according to the plan, $73,000 00,1 with which I think the buildings can be completed, although the expense has been increased $9,000 00 by the change of plan, unless there should be an increase in the price of labor and material, and if the amount should be appropriated so as to complete the buildings during the two coming years. By reference to the same report, it will be seen that the expense of the heating and ventilating apparatus was estimated at $15,000 00. Should the Legislature make the appropriation necessary to complete the buildings in two years, and make one-half of the amount available the first year, a sufficient portion of the new building might be completed during the first year to accommodate one hundred additional pupils. But in order to make that available, it would be necessary to put the heating and ventilating apparatus into a portion, and to do that it would be necessary to make the $15,000 00 available the first year. To carry on the institution two years, pay the salaries of the Principal, Matron and Teacher, and purchase the furniture, beds, bedding, &c., necessary for the increased number of pupils, and to pay other necessary expenses, $27,000 00 is a low estimate; but at the present price of provisions I think it may be done. It will be necessary, then, in order to do the work the most economically, and to receive the benefit of the ex penditure at the earliest practicable moment, for the Leg islature to appropriate $65,000 00 to be used in the year 1859, and $50,000 00 to be used in the year 1860. All of which is respectfully submitted. J. B. WALKER, Acting Commissioner. Flint. Nov. 30th, 1858. SCHEDULE A. Statement of Receipts and Expenditures for the Michigan Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, for the years 1857 and 1858. Paid balance as reported due from State, Janu ary 1, 1857, and vouchers for which were then filed with Auditor General,. . . . Paid Farmers and Mechanics' Bank for land,.. $ 1,143 61 5,545 78 1 00 562 20 11,628 43 13,285 85 |