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The trustees, however, conceived that they would not be dealing in good faith with the Legislature, if they should contract for a building at an expense beyond the sum which had been appropriated. They therefore determined to suspend any definitive contract for that purpose until the sanction of the Legislature should be given, by an appropriation. And in order to avoid the chance of error in under estimates or over estimates, and to ascertain with the utmost certainty the necessary amount, they invited proposals for the mason and carpenter work, and for cut stone, and have accordingly received offers from some of the most respectable and reliable mechanics of the city of Albany.

Contracts for the mason work and carpenter's work, at the above offers, have been made, conditionally, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature. The contract for the cut stone is suspended until its relative cost to cast iron can be ascertained.

The design and plans for the building are as plain as they well could be, consistent with a respectable appearance. The nature and character of the institution should not be regarded in the public estimation, by a structure that would inspire contempt nor should the noble charity of the State he belittled by one that was not commensurate with its means; and yet we do not recommend any gaudiness or superfluous ornaments beyond what would be required by a rigid taste. The buildings for charitable institutions of a similar character, such as for the deaf and dumb, for the blind, the insane and for juvenile delinquents, have all far exceeded in cost the amount now recommended for the Idiot Asylum; indeed many of them cost three fold that amount. We find that in England and other European countries structures for the same benevolent purpose have been recently erected at an expense equal to that lavished upon palaces. While we have availed ourselves of all the information to be derived from their plans, we have felt it a duty to avoid extravagance, and to conform to the severest economy when it could be done, without defeating or impairing the essential objects of the institution. Having no possible interest in the expenditure, we can have no other motive or object than to fulfil the trust committed to us judiciously and faithfully.

The sums received from the treasury in each former year have been accounted for in the previous annual reports.

There has been expended during the year:

which has been expended since October 1, 1853.

For all the expenditures accounts are rendered, which are audited by the executive committee and by the Comptroller, and with the vouchers are filed with that officer.

The whole amount received on account of pay pupils since the opening of the asylum is $3,702.96.

By chap. 219 of the laws of 1853, there was appropriated for the support of the asylum, during the fiscal year ending October 1, 1854, $10,000, in expectation that the new building might be in use a part of the time. As this will not be the case, there will be required for the support of forty pupils, during the current fiscal year, only, $7,500. And in the appropriation bill for the fiscal year ending 1st October, 1855, the amount may be reduced to $7,500.

The teachers and instructors in the asylum are:
HARVEY B. WILBUR, M. P., Superintendent.
Miss FRANCES H. CLARK, Assistant Teacher.
Miss ELIZA A. LORING,
Miss SARAH P. YOUNG,
Miss ALVIRA WOOD superintends the children out of school hours.

Applications for admission are constantly made, but are necessarily rejected, from the want of room, there being now in the asylum ten more pupils than were contemplated by the existing laws. By great effort, accommodations have been provided for them, and the additional expense of their support has been defrayed without exceeding the appropriation for a less number.