mittee to do more than to ascertain upon what terms the property could be acquired for the uses specified, and to report the result of their investigations upon that subject, the committee, after deliberation, deemed it advisable to include in their report a description of the property and a statement of such other facts as might be required by your honcrable body in the event of being called upon to take action in the matter. The Perry Mineral Springs are located in a valley near a small stream in the heavily wooded hills lying west of the Illinois river, and about seven miles from that stream. The hills about the Springs rise to the dignity of lofty bluffs, and are covered with a dense growth of timber, and are cut and divided by numerous ravines, valleys and creeks. They are situate eight miles from Naples, on the Illinois river; eight miles from Griggsville, on the Hannibal and Naples railroad; six miles from Perry Springs station, on the Toledo, Wabash and Western Railway, which is midway between Springfield and Quincy, Illinois; and three miles from Perry, a town of one thousand inhabitants. Stages are run to connect with trains at Griggsville and at Perry Springs station, and with steamboats at Naples. The scenery for many miles in every direction around the Springs is diversified and beautiful, and they are said to be beyond the limit of fogs and miasmatic influences from the Illinois river. The principal structure or hotel at the Springs is a frame building having a frontage of ninety (90) feet, a depth of one hundred and fifteen (115) feet, a hight of four (4) stories, and a wing or addition attached three stories high, twenty-two (22) feet wide and seventy (70) feet long. Verandas extend around on two sides on a level with the first and second stories. This building contains seventy-two (72) sleeping apartments, with transom lights over the doors, an office 35 x 60 feet, a parlor 40 x 40 feet, a dining room 40 x 80 feet, fifteen large bath rooms supplied with water from the iron spring, both hot and cold; a kitchen of ample dimensions, and with all the apparatus sufficient to accommodate all the wants of the hotel; the ceilings are high and the halls wide, and stairways at the front and rear of the building extend to the top story; and besides these, an escapement runs from the fourth floor to the side of the hill adjoining. Attached to the kitchen is a laundry and a saw mill, operated by a six-horse power steam engine; an ice house having a capacity of 120 tons, and large cellars, water tanks and cisterns, the latter having a capacity of 500 barrels each. East of (and 158 feet from) the main building above described, is the "old house," 22 x 126 feet, two stories high, containing twenty-four (24) sleeping rooms, a dining room, a cellar and a kitchen. This structure is composed partly of wood and partly of concrete; 50 feet in length is constructed of the former material, and 76 feet of the latter. It is connected with the principal building by a covered bridge or pavilion, which spans a small creek running between the two buildings. At short distances from the main building are four well finished cottages, having four rooms each, ten temporary cottages, and two houses for tenants. Three hundred feet from the main building is a structure 20 x 80 feet, two stories high, at present used for a ball room, gymnasium and store room. Besides the buildings above enumerated is a barn, and a bowling alley, 22 x 90 feet. The buildings are in a good state of preservation, excepting the barn and a few of the cottages. The main building is comparatively new, and is conveniently arranged, hav ing many advantages peculiarly adapted for the purposes of public institutions. The mineral springs are three in number, denominated the iron, the magnesia, and the sulphur, respectively. The magnesia spring is situate 25 feet from the main building, and between that and the "old house." The spring is covered with a tasteful and substantial pavilion, the sides walled and the bottom paved, as is usual with springs at fashionable watering places. The iron spring is covered, walled and paved in the same manner as the magnesia spring, and is situate 216 feet south of the main building, with which it is, connected by an inch iron pipe, through which water is forced by a steam pump as high as the third floor of the main building, in quantities sufficient for 300 baths per day. The sulphur spring is situate 400 feet north of the main building, and has a flow of water much greater than that of the iron or magnesia springs. Two fresh water springs, about a quarter of a mile from the main building, have a connection with a reservoir covering nearly an acre, which is below the springs and on a level with the upper story of the main building. A pipe, through which a plentiful supply of water is furnished, runs from this reservoir to the fountain in front of the hotel and to the laundry. These fresh water springs had a strong flow of water, but the committee had no means by which to estimate its quantity. It is estimated that the flow from the other springs will furnish 500 barrels or 20,000 gallons of water per day. The temperature of the water from the mineral spring is equable, being about 48 degrees in winter, and in summer about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the statement of the proprietor, the flow of water from the springs is scarcely variable, being slightly reduced during extremely dry seasons. The committee were furnished with the following analysis of the waters of the three mineral springs, said to have been made by Dr. Englemann, a scientific chemist. The figures represent the number of grains of mineral matter in each gallon of water: At the time the committee visited the springs, a number of people were there for the purpose of pleasure and of availing themselves of the beneficial effects of the waters, and the testimony of these was quite unanimous in favor of their healthful properties. Especially in cases of dyspepsia and diseases of the liver and kidneys, were the waters said to be efficacious. The water from the iron spring, the committee learned, was greatly beneficial in cases of debility, and more particularly in cases of nervous prostration, caused by the excessive use of alcoholic liquors. It was affirmed by many who were qualified to speak from experience, that the iron water, used as a beverage for a short time, would destroy the desire for intoxicating drinks, and restore the system to its normal vigorous condition. The magnesia and sulphur springs are said, in like manner, to be valuable for their medicinal qualities in curing certain other diseases. In addition to the buildings and springs, and a part of the property, is a farm, containing 104 acres of land, a large portion of which is improved. The vegetable garden contains six acres, in a good state of cultivation; the vineyard, three acres, with 3,000 vines; the apple orchard, 250 trees; the peach orchard, 250 trees; the cherry orchard, 120 trees; and gardens with an abundance of small fruits. In the valley in which the buildings stand, and lying around them, is a park of 24 acres, which is neatly and tastefully laid out, and ornamented with trees, shrubs and flowers in front of the main building. Fifty acres of the farm are set apart for pasturage, and 15 acres are covered with heavy timber. The fences are comparatively well kept up, and are of the usual rail, material, excepting the park, which is fenced with pickets. The price fixed by Mr. Watson for the whole property, exclusive of the furniture, and the sum which he stated that he was willing to receive, was $75,000. He further stated that the title to the whole property was in him, and that if the State of Illinois desired to purchase it, the terms need not provide for payment of any portion of the purchase price until January 1, 1874. The committee do not feel authorized to express any opinion as to the many questions which are naturally involved in the proposition to purchase; nor can they presume to judge of the advisability of any action which the General Assembly or the State may adopt. The committee deem it proper to express their thanks for the courtesies bestowed upon and extended to them during their stay, by Mr. Watson. All of which is respectfully submitted. S. D. PHELPS, Committee. The Speaker laid before the House the following report of C. L. Higbee, judge of the fifth judicial circuit; which was referred to the committee on judicial department: PITTSFIELD, ILLS., January 21, 1873. To the General Assembly of the State of Illinois : As Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, I have the honor to submit the following report of the number of days that court has been held in the several counties composing said circuit, within the preceding two years: In addition to the time occupied in holding the terms of court, the larger part of my time in vacation has been spent in hearing causes at chambers, in examining and deciding cases taken under advisement and in examining questions in causes pending. I have, however, no means of determining the number of days so engaged. All of which is respecfully submitted. C. L. HIGBEE. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Paddock. Mr. Speaker: I am directed to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has adopted the following resolutions, to-wit: Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring herein, That the clerks of the circuit courts of each county in the State, Cook county excepted, be requested to furnish the Senate, at their earliest convenience, with a written statement, showing the number of common law, chancery, and criminal causes disposed of during the year A. D. 1872, in each county, respectively; how many suits were instituted; and how many remain on the docket for trial, for want of time on the part of the court to hear them. Resolved, further. That the clerks of the county courts in each of the counties of the State, Cook county excepted, be also requested to furnish the Senate with a statement, showing the number of cases begun or existing in said court for the year 1872, by reason of the increased jurisdiction given to said court by the act approved April 5, 1872. Resolved, That the clerks of the city courts of record in this State, the city of Chicago excepted, be requested to furnish the Senate with a statement, showing the number of cases begun in said county during the year 1872. Resolved, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby requested to furnish each of the said clerks with a printed copy of these resolutions. In the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the House of Representatives. A message from the Governor, by A. J. Pinkham, Private Secretary: Mr. Speaker: I am directed by the Governor to inform the House of Representatives that he has approved and signed a bill of the following title, to-wit: House bill, No. 72, for "An act extending the time for the collection of the taxes on the assessments for the year A. D. 1872, and delinquent and omitted taxes on the assessment books for said years." Mr. Morrison moved to take from the table the motion to reconsider the resolution with reference to railroads, offered by Mr. Cassedy. Mr. Cassedy moved to lay Mr. Morrison's motion on the table; which was decided in the affirmative, yeas 102, nays 39-the yeas and nays being demanded by five members. Those voting in the affirmative are: Messrs. Alexander of Montgomery, Anderson, Armstrong of LaSalle, Barkley, Bishop of McHenry, Bocock, Booth, Bradwell, Branson, Bryant, Bullard, Cassedy, Carpenter, Chambers, Condon, Connolly, Cronkrite, Cross, Cullerton, Darnell, Davis, Dement, Dewey, Dolton. Efner, Ferrier, Freeman, Graham, Granger, Grant, Gridley, Hart, Harvey, Hawes, Henry, Herting, Hite of Madison, Hildrup, Hoiles, Hollenback, Hopkins, Jaquess, Jones, Lane of Hancock, Lemma, Lewis, Loomis, Mann, Massie, McAdams, McGee, Meacham, Middlecoff, Mitchell, Moore of Marshall, Moore of Adams, Moffit, Mulvane, Neville, Nulton, Oakwood, Oleson, Orendorff, Peltzer, Penfield, Piunell, Plowman, Pollock, Quinn, Race, Ramey, Rankin, Ray, Rice, Rountree, Savage, Sawyer, Scanlan, Scott, Senne, Shaw,. Shumway, Snow. Sonle, Starr, Stewart of Winnebago, Stewart of McLean, Stroud, Sylvester, Taggart, Thomas, Truitt, Warner, Washburn, Wayman, Webster, Westfall, Wick, Wicker, Wood, Wymore, Mr. Speaker-102. Those voting in the negative are: Messrs. Alexander of Crawford, Armstrong of Grundy, Ballow, Bishop of Edgar, Blakely, Bushnell, Casey, Collins, Dolan, Dresser, Dunham, Easley, Flanders, Forth, Herrington, Hite of St. Clair, Inscore, Jackson, Jessup, Kann, Lane of DeWitt, Lietze, Lomax, Marsh, McDonald, McLaughlin, McPherran, Moose, Morrison, Oberly, Rogers, Sherman, Smith, Streetor, Swan, Thornton, Walker, Webber, Weinheimer-39. So the motion to lay Mr. Morrison's motion on the table was agreed to. The Speaker laid before the House the following report of H. B. Decius, judge of the fourth judicial circuit; also, the following report of J. Sibley, judge of the fifteenth judicial circuit; which were referred to the committee on judicial department: To the Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives: The undersigned, judge of the fourth judicial circuit, in the State of Illinois, would respectfully report the number of days that court has been held in said circuit, for the last two years, as follows: Speaker of the House of Representatives: In compliance with a resolution of the General Assembly, adopted the 14th inst., I have the honor to submit to that body the following report of the number of days (as near as I can now approximate to it) which the court has been held in the fifteenth circuit of this State, during the two years preceding the present time, including the days occupied in hearing and determining the causes at chambers: In order to enable your honorable body to form a more correct estimate of the actual time consumed in performing this labor, it may be proper to add that it has been the usual custom to hold that court about ten hours in the day, which has occasioned considerable complaint among the attorneys on that account. If then, in the future, their wishes in that regard should be consulted, and the court held only, say eight hours in the day, it will necessarily protract the sessions of the court so that nine months, at least, in the year will be required to dispose of the business of the circuit, as now constituted. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, J. SIBLEY. The joint resolution from the Senate, in relation to circuit judges, was taken up. On motion of Mr. Shaw, The resolution was amended, by striking out the word "Senate" where it occurs, and inserting, "the Secretary of State, for the use of the General Assembly." On motion of Mr. Bradwell, The resolution was extended, so as to include county courts having extended jurisdiction. The resolution, as amended, was then adopted. The joint resolution from the Senate, with reference to adjournment until January 28th, was taken from the table. And the question being on the adoption of the resolution, it was not agreed to, yeas 69, nays 72-the yeas and nays being demanded by five members. |