352 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Mar. 2,

The Standing Committee on Public Buildings respectfully
report, that they have carefully performed their duty, and as a
result of their labors submit to the Honorable Senate this their
report:

First. They visited the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Frede-
rick, and found a large and very commodious set of buildings
erected at the expense of the State on a ten acre lot of land,
commanding a beautiful view of Frederick City and the sur-
rounding valley of the Monocacy and a distant view of the
Catoctin Mountains ; indeed the location is all that could be
desired; the State has already spent on the erection of suitable
buildings and ornamentation of the grounds, about two hun-
dred and fifty thousand dollars. Yonr committee believe that
sum to be judiciously spent under the able management
of the gentlemen intrusted with its care; the institute on
contains ninety-three pupils, and the management des re
an annual appropriation of thirty thousand dollars for their
support, and your Committee recommend such an appropria-
tion as will support all those whose parents and guardians are
not able to pay for their maintenance at the institution.

Your Committee next visited the Inebriate Asylum, situated
near Catonsville, Baltimore county, and iound the institution
closed, without a single inmate, which argues good results for
the Temperance and Local Option Societies. We however met
on the premises Dr. John Morris, its very courteous and able
President, who informed us of the wishes of the institution,

which was, that the State would purchase the whole institu-
tion which consists of thirty-eight acres of laud, a frame dwel-
ling, farming implements, cows, chickens, &c., &c.

This property is situated a little off from a by-road, leading
into the Frederick Turnpike, about six or seven miles from
Baltimore. Your Committee was one hour and fifteen minutes
in reaching there from Baltimore in hacks. The price asked
from the State for this property is thirty-five thousand dollars;
the State has already given in aid of this institution seven thou-
sand five hundred dollars.

Next your Committee visited the Blind Asylum on Boundary
avenue, near Charles street, and found all its appointments in
the very best condition, the grounds and building well and
neatly kept, and there is at present in the institution fifty-two
pupils, who are taught music and the English branches usually
taught in the best schools and academies.

Your Committee next visited the Honse of Refuge, situated
in Baltimore county, near the city limits. The grounds con-
tain fifty-five acres, improved by a number of stone buildings
nsed and known as the "House of Refuge," but being built a
number of years ago, is not well soiled for a reformatory of this

day. These bouses are surrounded by a high stone wall, whose