New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-24

Deaf, Dumb and Blind Asylum. and tho
|. State University at Baton Rouge, having
been called up, Mr.. McMillen said that he
would be very glad to get the information
called for in the resolution; but he thought
a more economical mode could DO suggested
than that pointed out by the resolution. He
did not see why report could not be made
by the Superintendent of the Academy or
the Superintendent Of the Asylum. which
would contain all the information that the
committee could obtain by visit to Baton
Rouge.
MI. Futch: will state that have re-
ceived information from Colonel Boyd. the
principal Of the university. that the pupils
of that establishment arc increasing very
rapidly at the present time, this being the
commencement of the year. He saws that
it is utterly impossible for that building to
furnish accommodation for both the pupils
and the inmates of tho asylum. They are
both badly crowded now, and are becoming
only need information as to whether the
building furnishes proper accommodations
for the inmates OF the asylum and the
students, but we want to know which it
will he the most eXpedicnt to remove, and
to what place it would be best to remove
them. thought the Committee on Parks
and Public Buildings would DO the proper
ton. and it was for that reason that | sug-
gcsted it, and for the additional reason that
great many special committees have been
created for various purposes All l want,
however, is some information on the sub
ject and if tho honorable Senator from
Carroll. or any other Senator, will suggest a
more economical method than this of OBJ
tanning the requisite information. | will
gladly accept it.
AN
should call on the Superintendent Of the
Academy for the desired information.
Mr.. Futch said he had no objection to the
adoption of that method. if, in the opinion
of the SeBlatc, it would he adequate.
Mr.. McMillen said he had understood that
it was the duty Of the trustees OF the insti-
tute to make AN annual report.
Mr.. Futch: l have no choice of means;
but think VIC should take some action on
the academy and the asylum demand that
something should be done Immediately. If
the means proposed by the gentleman from
Carroll are preferable to those pointed out
by myself. l have no objection to their
adoption. We are bound to act upon one
or the other. 1t is duty which we can not
avoid, to attend to the deaf. dumb and
blind of the State; and they should not be
allowed to suffer from our neglect. As to
the State to provide for it. We are
not bound to do so; but we should take
pleasure in doing all we can for it. know
and regret that it will be very expensive
for the Committee on Parks and Public
Buildings to go up there to get this intorma-
ton; but l have communicated to many
Senators the information which have re-
ceived Oh the subject; and vet know of no
other suitable plan having been offered
han t1,..t tod Inv, v,-1,v
not let this committee go up there, examine
into the facts OF the case. and make such
report as the necessities of the case require
We are almost daily going into heavier ex-
penses than this would entail, for purposes
which cannot compare with this in I'M
portance. | do not believe that we can be
engaged i'll any enterprise. or in the trans
action Of any business that will rebound
more to our credit than this.
Mr.. McNIillen: l do not desire to be under
stood as opposing the desire of the Senator
to gain some information on this subject.
merely suggest that we could perhaps OBJ
tain that information in Il more direct and
economical manner than that proposed in
this resolution. fully appreciate the
value Of these institutions. | think the
General Assembly can not ovcrcstiinate the
importance of the academy. and for the
past two Years we have showercd upon it,
not everything that it needed, perhaps. but
everything it asked; and if it has not
enough now, l am i'll favor of givingi it more.
am in favor Of taking it away from Baton
Rouge entirely, and sending it back to Alex
andria, from which place i'll my opinion. it
should never have been taken. Let US start
right in this matter. by sending the institu-
ton back to Alexandria. where it properly
belongs, and give it such assistance IA it
needs; and then We need have no more
talk about sending committee 70 Baton
Rouge TO sc" whether some Gcuf. dumb and
blind children have proper accommodations
in that magnificent bai,din. which the
State mas give: them. do not object 10
the resolution, l simr'. obj ..t 10 The send
ing of 4 committee.
Oar c.,s:sitah,e lis. :utions axe really cen
tcni.,i,.e in theiT character; they are il dis
grace TO the Ste. i we DO any thing we
shoalj attempt, hy propoE legislation. topGt
them all - :, good condition. to the end that
they may benefit the unior.un classes
they are ,ntcndcd to aIeva;c and educate.
If We ha : Il deaf. DUNE and blind asylum.
let us Sc, that it is propcriT fitted up. ahi
in tav;. OF the charities. and l hope the
State VIZ enlarge hex charitable institu-
tions. :.,c.y arc 1T present unworthy Of the
State. To-day Louisiana occupies posi-
lion Ia in the rear Of her sister States OF
the I'M III, in thi, regard. !.;herefo,c. hope
t]i' Ia ]IstSt result ii! sOlUt
coed; &nd that the committee t" be ap-
pointed ,ylil not only be empowered to go TO
Baton Eouge ard Investigate this special
matter, bat that It may be able to ascertain
what is necessary for all our charitable in
stitutions SO tlat IN the future we may be
earnest and ctct tive III or attempts to pro
mote these noble monument. OF a states be
ucticcnce and Civilization"
Mr. Anderson: 1 was watc,i on this morn
4 ~, ~.
blind. and he tells nue. they are not in that
same institution. They are in the asylum
of Baton Rouge. and he called On me for
the purpose of having some provision made
tOr.bc The mutcS are III the Institution
which was The Deaf. Dumb and Blind Asy-
lum W here the State University is now. had
supposed that, as the Committee on CHAIR
table Institutions was required to go to
Jackson to visit the insane asylum there
and to report its condition. it would also
visit that institution at Baton Rouge to see
if some arrangements could not be made bv
which the inmates could he placed in some
other building. l WAS informed that
the report Of the institution would
be made in a few days. and we
can then have all the information We desire
| would suggest. therefore, that this rcsO-
luton bo referred to the Committee on
Charitable Institutions. The building at
present occupied by the University of the
State is the property of the deaf, dumb and
blind. by act of the Legislature. Iprcsume
it would cost two or three hundred thou
sand dollars to rebuild the University at
Alexandria. Therefore, question of econ
omy arises here. Would it not he better for
the State to give that building at Baton
Rouge to the University, and provide some
other building for tho mutes. and for the
deaf and the blind! That is a question that
is yet to he determined. In my opinion. it
would be advisable to turn over that insti-
tuition at Baton Rouge to the University,
and then provide other BUILDINGS for tLe