Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-24


power OF each county to have good rOads,at
a small expense This, it is believed. to-
gether with the labor Of the misdemeanor
gang of the county, and felony conyicts of
inferior grades, would very greatly remedy
existing evils.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
The last General Assembly. act1ated by
commendable desire TO promote learning.
authorized the several counties 10 establish /
and support common schools.
And whether, as an original proposition. |
that system meets our appreciation, vet, in |
asmuch as It has proven eminently success |
full in the counties adopting it, it would. |
perhaps, be unwise to disturb it until fair |
experiment demonstrates what changes, if |
any, are necessary.
We cannot, if we would, disguise the |
lamentabe fact, that there are large num-
Der of children in the State deprived of in |
struction in the ordinary principles of an
English education.
Intelligence is a large element in the en-
terprise, prosperity and happiness of every |
community, and so far as facilities can be |
afforded, the education of the people !
should be aided and advanced. Aud if |
legislation can be devised by which the !
present system could be more generally and !
effectually tested, great good might result |
therefrom, and future legislation, if need |
be, more intelligently directed toward the
perfection of this, or the adoption of some
other system, by which the educational ne
cessities of the State would be fully met.
This question win, of course, receive at
your hands the careful consideration its
great Importance demands.
ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
The reports Of the Trustee, Superintend-
ent, and Treasurer, will be transmitted in a
few days, by special message.
From the Superintendent, learn, Off
cially, that the number of inmates, within
the last two years, has considerably in
creased; and that the number of applicants
for privileges and benefits of this necessary
charity, is rapidly increasing.
During the past two years, additions to
the building have been commenced, and |
have progressed nearto completion, the cost |
of which has been borne in part from |
amounts collected, due the Institution from
former pay-patients, as well as from pOr-
ton of the proceeds of the sale of the Old
Lunatic Asylum property, as authorized
under an act of the General Assembly, of
June Is, 1870, together with the application
Va "a Bshib VI SAiC AOA NuAlCAl
expenses.
The legislation which may be necessary
in behalf of Just and liberal maintenance
Of this charity, in all its departments, viii
more fully appear from the official reports
of the officers, and when they are transmit
ted to you, l shall make such suggestions
for your consideration, as shall then present
themselves, under a careful examination of
tho whole c1nbianfs nd Of ba
commentators will be made. in behalf of
the other charitable institutions of the
State.
COUNTY WAREHOUSES;.
In seeking to curtail and reduce the I'M
necessary expense ofthe State Government,
your attention will, doubtless be directed to
the immense costs incurred in the prosecu-
ton Of Notwithstanding to $4,000
or 100000 per annum.
By the establishment of proper system
of warehouses, in each county, the State
might be relieved of the greater part of this
burden.
More than one-third of the 740 inmates
now in the State Prison are undergoing
punishment for the crime of petit larceny.
L would respectfully recommend, that the
criminal laws be so amended, as to provide
for the punishment of this offence as well
as others Of the same grade, as well as all
cases of misdemeanor, by confinement and
labor in the several counties where the law
may have been violated. BY labor upon
the public roads, bridges and buildings, the
prisoners may be made to reimburse the
county for the expense of their confinement,
and the cost of conviction, which ought in
the first instance to be paid out of the coun-
ty revenue.
CAPITAL AND LABOR.
Tennessee has all the natural elements
necessary to make her the wealthiest among
the States Of America.
She has room for millions more of popu-
lation, and capital without limit could find
4 rich return to its investment in mill
ing and manufacturing.
We need more working men, who are
willing to identify themselves with our
country and our people, and aid earnestly
and actively in suboTdinating to trade and
commerce the countless wealth not yet
wrested from natures hand.
Such means as will best inform the world
of Tennessee's vast resources, the salubrity
of her soil, together with settlement of our
finances upon permanent basis, is all that
is required to attract hither all the labor and
capital we need.
THE JUDICIARY.
1t is respectfully represented that in some I
Of the densely populated Judicial circuits, |
the oyercrowded condition Of the dOckets /
delays the hearing of civil causes, to the .
detriment Of litigants, and often pOstpoDeS |
the trial of presentments and indictments /
on the criminal dockets, in violation of the /!
rights of the accused.
The wrong done the State in swelling /
bills of cost is considerable. 1t is apparent, /
that the only remedy is either to curtail the |
circuits, or create Criminal Courts, which !
may be temporary or permanent, as the /
wants of the community may in your Opn- !
ion require.
CRIMES AND CRIMINALS.
The criminal laws will be carefully exam /
ined by you, and revised if found imperfect; |
so that criminals may be speedily, and Ger |
tainly arrested and made answerable before /
the Courts for their offences.
| pledge the Executive Department, 10 |
exhaust every remedy afforded it by law, !
for the arrest of all criminals, of every |
character; and shall spare no effort to exc !
cute the law, as l find it upon the Statute !
Book.
In conclusion, l must say, that on ac-
count of the limit fixed to your session, | |
have felt constrained to hasten this COM |
munication before could see the TreasIT
er's report.
There are other subjects l shall bring to |
your attention before your adjournment, |
and so soon as detailed information can be !
had.
l have now performed my duty under 4
clear conviction, that whether you accord |
with me in the policy suggested, you will
be guided alone by sincere and enlightened
desire to advance the general welfare; and
may He, who is the Sovereign of States, !
guide your deliberations, in harmony, to !
the promotion of prosperity and happiness |
among all the people.
And may peace reign and concord prevail !
in all our borders. JNO. G.. Brown.
TENNESSEE NEWS.