REPORT

OF THE

JOINT COMMITTEE

OF THE

NINETEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

OF THE

STATE OF IOWA,

APPOINTED TO VISIT THE

SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME

LOCATED AT

DAVENPORT.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

DES MOINES:

F. M. MILLS, STATE PRINTER.

REPORT.

To the Members of the Nineteenth General Assembly, State of Iowa:

THE joint committee appointed to visit the Soldier's Orphans' Home located at Davenport, would respectfully report that they have made a careful and thorough examination into its various departments, the management of the children, the condition of the buildings and grounds, the wants of the institution, the books of account, and especially with reference to the matters suggested by the joint resolution of instruction.

That the management of the institution is in most worthy, faithful and competent hands is evidenced by the general good order which prevails through the institution. All the new buildings, so far as they are completed, are in excellent condition, and the personal cleanliness, the intellectual, moral and religious training of the children, bespeak the eminent qualifications and deep interest manifested in behalf of the welfare of the pupils by the Superintendent and Matron, while no small degree of praise is due the cottage managers.

Your committee examined carefully into the every-day life of the children, the clothing, the beds and bedding, the diet, the general care that is given them, and are satisfied that their wants and necessities are carefully and fully met.

The sanitary condition of the Home is all that could be desired, and it is probably owing largely to regular habits, healthful, abundant and well-cooked food.

While the physical necessities are so well cared for, your committee take pleasure in saying that their mental wants are also fully met. The schools, under the management of competent teachers, are equal if not superior to the best district schools. The educational department is also supplemented with a well selected library, which, together

with papers, periodicals and magazines, are as well arranged as the limited room will admit, and are accessible to the children.

The amount of appropriations asked by the Board of Trustees is large, therefore your committee made quite a thorough examination into the needs of the institution, and became convinced that everything asked for is greatly needed, and the benefits of the institution will never be fully realized until these much needed wants are supplied, therefore we recommend as liberal dealing with the institution as the state of the public treasury will permit, believing that it is doing a valuable work for the State.

It is the opinion of your committee that the following improvements should be made at once; to-wit, the completion of the dining hall, the erection of a hospital building, and two additional cottages; therefore the appropriations asked for said buildings by the Trustees are hereby recommended.

Your committee would further recommend that the appropriations asked by the Trustees for laundry machinery, painting and general repairs, and library be granted.

As to the past work and expenses, and a full statement of the needs of the Home, we would respectfully refer to the last report of the officers of the institution. In view of the vast amount of good the State is reaping from this growing institution, and the lasting benefit our indigent and unfortunate children are receiving, we bespeak liberal dealings in its behalf at the hands of this honorable body.

In reply to the inquiries propounded in the concurrent resolution, your committee would answer:

First. That the appropriations made by the last General Assembly have been wisely and economically expended.

Second. That they have been expended for the objects appropriated.

Third. That chapter 67, laws of the Seventeenth General Assembly, have been complied with, in not contracting indebtedness in excess of the appropriations.

Fourth. That there has been no diversion of any money from the specific purpose for which it was drawn out of the State treasury.

Fifth. That all of the employes, with the exception of the physician, are furnished in addition to their salary, board, rooms, lights and fuel in the institution.