Southern standard., 1852-01-17

loaned out in small sums, under the direction of
public officers have either been lost or endan-
gered, that the delays and expenses incident to
their collection have materially deprecated the
fund In spite of all the guards thrown around it
bv public enactment, adegree of favoritism will
exist prompting the agents to accommodate friends
and those suffering most for the want of money!
improper indulgencies will be given or insufficient
securities taken, and thus fund appropriated un-
der the influences of anexpansive charity, highly
ereditable to the peoples representatives, and in
tended for the enlightenment of the rising genera
ton, may in few years be squandered and ut
tery fail IN conferring upon the people the bless
ings, for which it was intended. We need not go
beyond the limits of our State for lessons of
experience upon this subject, and they are abun-
dant to prove that sums of money, when entrust-
ed even to those who have direct interest in their
preservation, for the purpose of being loaned out,
in atdanger being lost either by negligence
or an undue confidence mothers and in order to
avoid any risk of this character, L would recon-
mend to the Legislature, 50 to amend the act, as
to make it the duty of the State Treasurer with
the approval of the Governor, to invest the whole
fund in Government stock, and that the interest
arising thereupon, be annually divided among the
several counties, pursuant to the spirit of said
law.
The State University is an Institution properly
cherished by the people, as afording the means
of finished education within our own borders
and | am happy to inform you that it is in pros
porous condition. Our people are beginning to
awake to the great importance of educating their
sons, amidst the institutions peculiar to the South
ern States and whilst they are unwilling to ex-
pose them to the communicating influences and gra
tuitous insults to which they would be liable as
citizens of a slavehoding State, while seeking the
means of an education abroad, they have learned
the true economy ofexpending their money with
in the State, and of encouraging institutions rear
ed by ourselves. The report of the Trustees of
the University, will be laid before you in due sea-
son. and | sincerely hope, ifi shall be found that
further legislative enactment is necessary to ad
vance the prosperity or extend the benfclal infu
ences the institution, that will meet with prompt
and efficient action ON your part.
The report of the Commissioners of the Lunatic
Asylum, will exhibit the progress of that work
since the last appropration-lts present condition,
and the amount of appropriation necessary to com
pete it, and render fit for the purposes for which
it was intended 1t could not reasonably have
been expected that Hospital for the insane, de-
signed a monument of the charity and enlight /
sned philanthropy of the State, could have been
finished for the sums already expened upon it
A considerable amount will yet be required, to fin
sh and put it, in condition for the reception of
hose children of misfortune for whose benefit it
designed, and the question is to be settled
whether it is better TO let 1t remain IN It's present
condition. and risk the loss of the money already +
expended upon it, or to make an appropriation ne
eessary to complete and put it in operation
1t will be proper to mention that when the ap-
preparation made, 1t was intended that the
State should furnish the brick for the building
out the condition of the affairs in the Penitcntiary
was such, that it was found to be impossible to
appropriate the labor ofthe conycts to that purpose
and the Commissioners of the Asylum were fore
ed to expend a large amount of the appropriation
for the purchase of brick.
In intimate connection with this subject, l refer
with great pleasure to the institution established
by the Legislature, for the support and education
Of the Blind The report OF the Commissioners
will be presented, showing that the institution is
under good management, and Is conterrlng great
benefits upon an unfortunate class of individuals,
who are entitled to our Warmest sympathles.-
Such institutions stand as noble monuments of
legislative munihcence, and entltle their founders, /
well as those who aid in carrying them into sue
eessful operation to the lasting gratitude OF the
country Before taking leave Of this subject, L
would respectfully recommend 1t to the fostering
care of the Legislature.
One other institution of a kindred character is
still wanting to complete the list ofnoble charities
so characteristic of Southern generosity | refer
to an asylum for the deaf and dumb. The poor
mute who is permitted to gaze upon the beauties
of nature but whose ears are forever closed to the
sweet melody which Providence has ordained, to
gladden. the human heart, and whose tongue has
never learned to hold social converse with his tel-
or even to unite in praises to the
Most Highs a subject to claim our ANXIOUS So
lictude, and prompt US to some acton to anchor
ate his condition because, he can only be taught
to appreciate the bounties of Providence, and the
scheme of Redemption, by teaching him to read.
Let us not withhold from him this exalted prlvl-
lege, fraught with happiness to all who ENJOY
its benefits and, while he can only converse
with his fellow creatures and enjoy that social
intercourse so necessary to the happiness of all,
by learning to wrte-let us do something towards
the ears of the deaf, and make the
dumb to speak through the medium of the pen.
| would, therefore, recommend that a small ap-
be made, similar to the one made for
the benefit of the Blind, in order to employ a.
teacher or teachers and found school, for the ben
eft of this class of people, which may be
changed or enlarged as circumstances may here
after require And with this additional institution
the people of Mississippi may justly feel, that they
have done everything which could be done, by
Legislative enactment, to educate the poor, and
amelorate the condition of the suffering and afflic
ted.
In view of the intimate connection between this
and the institution for the Blind, | respectfully
suggest that the two might be blended, under one
general supervision thereby lessening the expense
to the State, without detriment to either.
At the session ofthe Legislature of 1916, much
i Il e ~.