(4)

building daily defaced and abused for the want of such watchman. Mr. Malloy, the night watchman, is most efficient and attentive, and looks well to every interest of the place while he is on duty, and is of greatly more value to the State than the small wages paid him. His services are worth more than he receives ($30 per month). He comes on duty at 5 o'clock p. m. and remains until 6 o'clock a. m. As much is now done in this matter as is practicable with the force at command, and the increased force suggested is urged as a necessity.

Notwithstanding what has been done, it has not been enough to preserve the building. The roof still leaks, and needs overhauling and to be thoroughly repaired as a matter of self-preservation. The water closet is still in a bad condition, and a source of unhealthfulness to the building. Something should be done to suppress, if possible, the gas that comes through it into the building, from the sewers of the city below that connect with the sewer to this, and through which passes, by reason of the elevation, these gases into and through the building.

The entire building is greatly in need of repairs, and should receive the earnest consideration of the General Assembly, both because for self-preservation, and to present to the general public an appearance in keeping with its magnitude. The building and grounds are too imposing and valuable to be allowed to rust or decay.

The last General Assembly only appropriated $5,000, or $2,500 per annum to capitol expense account, which amount included everything, fuel, lights, porters' hire, night watchman, gardener, and all other incidental expense. The several items, night watchman, porters and gardener, amount to $1,980 per annum, leaving only $520 for all other necessary contingent expenses. This, it will be clearly seen, does not, and can not, meet the demands of the situation. It would be practice of a best possible oconomy for the State to put the building once in good condition and require that it shall be so kept. The appropriation made last session has been most economically and judiciously expended, and for all of which expenditures vouchers are filed with the Comptroller.

With great respect, your obedient servant,

HAYDEN MARCH,

Superintendent of Capitol and Capitol Grounds.

December 19, 1884.

REPORT

OF THE

Commissioners of the Watkins Institute,

TO THE

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE.

JANUARY 1, 1885.

REPORT.

To His Excellency Wм. B. BATE, Governor of the State of Tennessee: SIR: The commissioners of the Watkins Institute, located in the city of Nashville, beg leave to make the following report of their action under the will of the late Samuel Watkins and the law of the State accepting the trust for the State and appointing the undersigned to administer the trust under the said will and statute:

The commissioners took possession of the lot situated on Church street, in the city of Nashville, about October 1, 1881, after the death of Mr. Watkins, and as soon as practicable thereafter, sold the old house and such other buildings as were on the same, the proceeds of which will be found in the financial statement hereto attached. We advertised, with specifications of the size and character of the buildings desired, in the American Architect and Building News, Boston, and other papers, inviting architects to present plans and estimates for the buildings indicated, offering premiums as follows: for the plan adopted, or best plan, $300; for second best, $150, and for third best, $75. There were six plans presented, and upon full consideration of all the plans, the one presented by Bruce & Morgan, of Atlanta, Ga., was accepted.

Specifications for the execution of said plan in detail were drawn up and printed in pamphlet form, and published in sundry papers, inviting proposals for the various work contemplated and necessary to be done in the construction of the building. At the time indicated in the advertisement for the coming in of bids, we had before us propositions for all the work indicated, and proceeded at once to adopt such bids as we thought most advantageous, all of which are on file with the papers and records of said Institute.

After the contracts were let, work of construction was commenced, and has been pushed as rapidly as well could be done. Messrs.

Bruce & Morgan were appointed architects, with a contract fixing their compensation. All the contracts are subject to the inspection of your Excellency, or such committee as the Legislature may appoint.

The house on Church street consists of four stores with basements; the stores being 100 feet deep by about 23 feet wide. The upper stories are cut up into rooms suitable for families or offices, and are all occupied at a reasonable rental. There are but two of the stores rented. The rental received for all will be seen by reference to the financial statement. The library is a building in rear of the stores, 112 feet deep by 75 feet wide. The first story is the library proper; the second the main public hall, which is approached from Church street through a corridor and over a bridge that connects the library building and public hall and stores together. The library and public hall also have an approach from High street.

It will also be seen by reference to the financial statement what money has been received from every source, and what interest has been received on the funds while remaining idle in our hands. It will also be seen what amount has been expended and for what purpose, and the amount yet due on original contracts, and the means with which we have to pay the same. It will be seen that while the building in a general sense is nearly completed, yet there is much to do to prepare it for the uses contemplated, such as heating, seating and book stands or cases, and ornamentations in the library and other departments, and to complete the same we will have to rely upon the rents, which we think in a reasonable time will be sufficient. We trust we have used the means at our disposal for the best, in the erection of a building creditable to the donor and the State, and that it will prove a blessing to the whole community.

It is proper that we should add that as soon as the building is complete we will endeavor to inaugurate such means and appliances for the education and improvement of the people as were contemplated by the donor in making provision for their benefit. While it is true that we will have to rely on the rents of the building in its various departments for the means of finishing, furnishing and ornamenting the same, we have reasonable hopes that some lovers of our race, whom the Lord has blessed and prospered, will find it in their hearts to make donations that will enable us to enlarge and improve