Peter, situate about three miles from the Capitol in an easterly direction, and on elevated ground. This site was believed to be as salubrious a location as could be found in the District, and embraces one hundred and fifty acres of land, for which the sum of $30,000 was paid. It is called Mount Lincoln, in commemoration of Fort Lincoln, which formerly stood on the site. Plans and specifications for the necessary buildings were prepared by the architect of the Capitol, and approved by me. Proposals for the erection of said buildings were invited in due form by advertisement, and, on the 22d day of August last, the contract for the work was awarded to the lowest satisfactory bidder, conditioned in the sum of $64,000. There yet remained $6,000 of the appropriation unexpended, of which sum $3,129.03 has been expended by the board of directors in grading and preparing the ground for the buildings, and for steam-boiler, pump for hoisting water, &c. The work on the buildings has not progressed very rapidly, owing to the insufficient supply of water, but a new supply has been discovered, and it is confidently hoped that the family building will be ready for occupation by the 1st of December next. The children were removed from their former unhealthy location on the aqueduct farm in August last, and have been provided with temporary lodgings on the barn on the new site.
The board of trustees submit an estimate of appropriations, amounting to $15,000, which will be required for a steam-heating apparatus, gas, water, and for grading grounds. In addition to the 150 acres of land already purchased, the remainder of the farm, comprising 100 acres, can be purchased at $150 per acre. For the purpose of providing the school with sufficient farm and garden land, whereon to employ its inmates, and which will, in the future, go far toward supporting the schools, I cordially recommend that an appropriation of $15,000 be made for said purchase.
METROPOLITAN POLICE.
The Metropolitan police force numbers 238 men, of whom 6 are detectives. The board represents the inadequacy of the force to the needs of the service, and strongly recommends that an increase be authorized of 12 sergeants and 50 privates, or patrolmen. The members of the force have faithfully and vigilantly discharged the duties required of them in maintaining good order, and protecting the rights of persons and property within the District. During the year ending September 30 last, 11,306 persons were arrested, of whom 1,858 were females; 6,778 were unmarried; 4,299 could neither read nor write. Of those arrested, 4,562 were dismissed, 21 turned over to the military, 720 committed to the jail, and 931 committed to the work-house; 187 gave security to keep the peace, 64 were sent to the reform-school, 60 gave bail for court, and 65 cases were undisposed of at that date. Minor punishments were inflicted in 700 cases, and fines were imposed in 3,996
