REPORT.

The joint committee appointed to visit and report upon the condition and management of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Iowa City, beg leave to submit the following report:

The very fuil and explicit report of the Board of Trustees and Superintendent to the Governor, renders it unnecessary for your committee to do more than refer in general terms to the management and wants of this institution. The fact that the current expenses have been kept within the limits of the appropriation fixed by law (twenty-five dollars per quarter for each pupil), in view of the high prices that have ruled for the last two years, and the further fact that a considerable amount has been expended for clothing for the pupils, furnishes very satisfactory evidence of the practice of economy on the part of the Board of Trustees and Superintendent.

The Superintendent, Teachers, and Matron, all evince an interest and devotion in the diseharge of their respective duties highly commendable and satisfactory, and their labors are apparently attended with a good degree of success, in educating the unfortunate class placed under their care. The salary of the Superintendent is now limited by law to seven hundred dollars, which your committee unhesitatingly recommend be raised to one thousand dollars, and that of the Matron, now fixed at two hundred and fifty dollars, be raised to four hundred dollars, and that the amount of the annual appropriation for the ordinary expenses be raised from four thousand dollars, as now fixed by law, to five thousand dollars.

The buildings now used for an Asylum are not the property of the State, and the lease for the same will soon expire; a new lease of the same property can, however, be obtained for such length of time as the State will probably require to erect and complete a building for the purpose. As some years must elapse before a new building can be completed, it is recommended that a new lease be obtained of the buildings now used, and that the sum of two thousand dollars be appropriated to make necessary repairs on the same. That amount is, in the opinion of your committee, required to make such repairs as are actually necessary for convenience and comfort, or it would not be recommended in view of the probability of a new building being erected at an carly day. All of which is respectfully submitted,

L. E. FELLOWS,

On the part of the Senate.

C. G. TRUSDELL,

J. T. ATKINS,

On the part of the House.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE

TO LOCATE THE

DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM AT COUNCIL BLUFFS.

To the General Assembly of the State of Iowa:

Your Joint Committee appointed to visit the site selected for the location of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Council Bluffs, beg leave to report that they performed that duty during the recess of the General Assembly.

They would heartily indorse the statements of the Commissioners to locate the Asylum, as laid before you in their report, with reference to the tract they have selected. They approve also of its location as to distance from the Court House in Council Bluffs, which is about two miles, and from the city limits, which is about half a mile. The tract of eighty acres which has been presented to the State by the citizens of Council Bluffs for the Asylum, is, mainly, a portion of the Missouri Bottom, yet high enough to be at a good distance from any point ever known to be overflowed by the river and beyond all contingency in this respect while, on the east, it rises up on the side of the bluff and embraces one of its first elevations. From that point there is one of the most delightful prospects of all that region of magnificent views. The views immediately along the Musquito creek and along the Missouri river are fine ones, but the finest of all is that which is given of Omaha and eastern Nebraska. The bluff is deemed by your committee a far better site for the Asylum buildings than the lower land, yet that portion of the eighty - acre tract is too small and too near the eastern limit of the tract to be an eminently desirable building spot. If the State can secure ten acres more

immediately on the east of this bluff (and citizens of Council Bluffs offer to obtain that tract for the State and at their own expense if the General Assembly decide that that location is the preferable one) you committee would recommend it.

The General Assembly will permit us to say that the locating committee who secured the site and made the contract which has been submitted to you for approval, seem to have discharged their duty with great fidelity and wisdom. The State was fortunate in obtaining the services of men so well qualified for this work by good judgment, excellent business habits and, in the case of the chairman at least, intimate personal knowledge of similar institutions in other States.

Respectfully submitted,

ROBERT SMYTHIE,

On the part of the Senate.

L. F. PARKER,

P. G. WRIGHT,

On the part of the House of Representatives.