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offensive cases are now necessarily kept in the main dormitory building, and the health of all the inmates is imperiled as a consequence.

As the grounds have been cleared up and freed from rubbish, many old fences have disappeared, and the dilapidated outbuildings are now removed. Generally the buildings were clean and in order, but the changes heretofore suggested should be made as soon as possible.

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With the exception of some minor improvements, there have been no changes in the Monroe County Almshouse during the year. All improvements and changes are held in abeyance pending the final determination, by the supervisors, of the question of removal. There can be no doubt that a rural location for the almshouse will be an improvement. A large tract of land can be purchased, new buildings erected thereon, and the prod ucts of the farm will help pay the expense of maintenance. But in addition to this economical argument for a change, are the moral and humanitarian reasons. The crowded condition of the almshouse, the impossibility of giving suitable care to the many sick inmates, the temptations which are due to the con

tiguity to the city, all are good reasons why immediate action should be taken. The necessity for such removal has been urged by the commissioner in his annual report for several years past. The present board of supervisors seems to be fully impressed with the necessity for a change, but as yet no action has been taken which gives promise of the removal of the almshouse at an early date.

It may prove of interest to place here, in chronological order, the proceedings of the Monroe County Board of Supervisors since 1897, in this matter of removing the institution.

"December 4, 1897.-Committee on visiting county buildings reports that more room is needed in the almshouse for sleeping apartments, and that if a hospital could be built outside, the crowded condition would be relieved. Report agreed to.

"December 13, 1897.--Committee on almshouse and superintendent of poor accounts recommends the building of a hospital at the almshouse to relieve the overcrowded condition. Laid on the table under rules.

"December 14, 1897.-Above report unanimously adopted.

"December 17, 1897.-Resolution introduced by Supervisor Bareham, to the effect that the almshouse has insufficient capacity to properly accommodate the number of unfortunate dependents to be cared for by the county, and since the rapidly growing population of the county calls for immediate action the committee on almshouses should be directed to procure plans and specifications and estimated cost of a two-story hospital building. Laid on table under the rules.

"December 31, 1897.-Above resolution adopted.

"February 15, 1898.-Resolution introduced by Supervisor Oberlies, to the effect that since the erection of a hospital at the almshouse would probably cost $100,000 or more, and the county has not in proximity with the almshouse sufficient land to meet the requirements of such a building, and since it would be a great saving to the county to purchase a suitable farm site for the erection of a new almshouse on the cottage plan and use the existing structure for a hospital, the almshouse committee should be instructed to postpone plans for the hos pital and look for available farming sites. Laid on the table under the rules.

"February 17, 1898.-Above resolution laid indefinitely on the table by vote of 26 to 10.

"May 17, 1898.-Almshouse committee reports that plans for almshouse have been submitted by five architects, and agreement entered into with one of those architects to prepare a full set of plans, specifications and estimated cost. Almshouse committee also introduces resolution that it be directed to build a hospital at the almshouse at a cost not to exceed $110,000. Laid on the table under the rules. State Board of Charities presents a report to the effect that it approves of the plans for a hospital submitted it by the committee.

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May 18, 1898. Board goes into committee of the whole, with Supervisor Briggs in the chair, for the purpose of visiting the almshouse to see if proposed improvements are necessary.

"May 23, 1898. Supervisor Briggs reports that after careful examination of proposed plans, and of site, the committee carried away the conviction that the present accommodations are inadequate, and that a hospital is necessary. Leave granted to sit again.

"May 25, 1898. Supervisor Wellington moves that a report of Commissioner Enoch V. Stoddard, to the State Board of Charities, concerning and opposed to the proposed hospital, be referred to the committee of the whole, having the matter under consideration. Resolution adopted. Supervisor Wellington offers substitute to report of committee of the whole to the effect that present accommodations are grossly inadequate, stating that the board is not in favor of erecting the proposed hospital, but is in favor of securing suitable farm property not less than four miles from the city line, where the almshouse and hospital should be located. Substitute report agreed to.

"May 26, 1898.-Supervisor Wellington introduces resolution providing that committee on almshouse shall secure information about farm sites. Laid on the table under the rules.

"November 22, 1898.-Committee on almshouse reports its line of work in pursuance of instructions regarding farm sites, and says it has received 107 options, although it had expected less than half a dozen. The aggregate of the possible sites in the lot was 44. Full particulars as to the water supply, drainage, acreage, location and prices of the 44 farms were sub

mitted. It was also reported that bids for the purchase of the present almshouse and adjacent land had been advertised for, but no offers were received. The committee particularly recommended seven of the offered sites. The report was received and ordered printed.

"November 28, 1898.-Law committee was requested to report at once as to the legislative steps necessary to sell the existing almshouse and erect another on a different site.

"January 19, 1899.-Almshouse committee reports that the time has come when definite action of some sort is necessary, that no time should be lost in settling the question of a new location or of providing the present site with buildings. The committee states that there is no remedy but to do one or the other, and it is inclined to favor the latter course. Since it would be necessary to use the present building for several years the committee does not recommend that any steps be taken immediately toward selling it. Laid on the table under the rules.

"January 20, 1899.-Above report adopted. Resolution introduced that it is the sense of the board that the county should purchase not less than 400 acres of land for the purposes of a county farm and remove the almshouse to such site with all reasonable dispatch. Laid on the table under the rules.

"January 24, 1899.-Resolution introduced stating that since the winter weather came so early that examination of the sites proposed by the almshouse committee was impracticable, all further discussion of these reports should be postponed until a more favorable season. Laid on the table under the rules. "January 26, 1899.-Above resolution adopted by vote of 36 to 1, Supervisor Redman dissenting.

"January 27, 1899.-Members of State Board of Charities, and city and county superintendents of the poor invited to accompany the board when it makes its trips of inspection of sites for the poor farm.

"February 1, 1899.-Report submitted.November 22, 1898, adopted by unanimous vote. Law committee reports that board has right to change site to any place not more than a mile from

the present location, and that a vote of the people would be necessary to make any further changes.

"February 2, 1899.-Report of law committee adopted, and an amending resolution introduced looking toward the settlement of the law so that board of supervisors could change site without securing consent of the people. Laid on the table under the rules.

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"February 6, 1899.-Above resolution amended so as to strike out words without a vote of the people,' and adopted as amended.

June 2, 1899.-Report submitted to the effect that the Erie, Lehigh Valley and Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroads will provide special trains for the supervisors to visit farm sites, free of cost, if the board will accept them, or at any price up to $50 that the board may name. Resolutions included in the report that the trains be accepted at $50 each, and that Clerk Bastable see that sufficient luncheon is provided. Laid on the table under the rules.

"June 5, 1899.-Above report unanimously carried. Resolution that the county should acquire a farm for the almshouse site, provided it can be obtained in a suitable location and at a reasonable price. Laid on the table under the rules. "June 5, 1899.-Board inspects almshouse sites. "June 6, 1899.-Board inspects almshouse sites. "June 7, 1899.-Board inspects almshouse sites. "June 8, 1899.-Board inspects almshouse. "June 10, 1899.-Board inspects almshouse sites. "June 13, 1899.-Board inspects almshouse sites. "June 15, 1899.-Board inspects almshouse sites. "June 16, 1899.-Board inspects almshouse sites.

"June 19, 1899. Decided to visit no more almshouse sites than those already agreed upon. Board inspects some sites again."

"June 21, 1899.-Communication received from State Board of Charities, reminding the board of supervisors that recommendations regarding the importance of changing the location of the almshouse to a rural section have been made for four

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