The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-12-18

Hon. s. f. Gaillard, tho chairman Of the board
Of trustees That the board have contracted
for suitable building for this Asylum, in
lieu of the one now rented for the purpose,
and which is III adapted for an orphans
home.
The General Assembly, at it's last regular
session, appropriated the sum of $4,000 for
the purchase of proper site and building for
! the State Orphan Asylum, but the board Of
| trustees, by their judcious management, have
| secured spacious cdificc, in every way
suited to the cud in view, for the small sum
Of $4,000.
The trustees warmly commend Mr.. Henry
Francis, and Mrs. Dorcas Richardson, the ex
cellent managers OF the Asylum. for their dill
| igcnt and faithful discharge Of duty.
l earnestly commend this noble CHARITY
practically the only one Of its class in the
United Statcs-to the fostering care of the
General Assembly.
ASYLUM FOR THE DEAF AND DUSrD AND THE
BLIND.
| have received no report from any Of the
la.o officers of this institution, aud am, there.
| foro unable to furnish my data Of its opera
| tons for the year.
| If the reports should reach me hereafter
| they will be promptly forwarded to your hon
| orablc bodies, with such recommendations in
the premises as may be demanded.
Soon after the present board Of directors of
this institution entered upon their duties in
connection herewith, it was currently re-
ported that tho superintendent thereof had
excluded or expelled from its benefits colorcd
children whose condition commended thom
! to ils care aud who should have been placed
| under tho tuition Of its faculty.
On investigation, the bonrd were satisfied
that such exclusion had been indirectly prac-
| tiecd, and admonishcd the superintendent
oiucf ifu
On receiving the positive instructions Of
the board Of directors, requiring tho adns-
sion Of bencficiarics without regard to race or
color, tile superintendent and all tho teachers
Immediately resigned their positions, and their
designations were accepted by The board.
1t was hoped that even political malice
would have felt somo touch Of pity i'll con-
templating the victims Of the most awful be-
reavement that Providence has visited upon
humanity, and that no discrimination would
have been asserted MS TO those whom God
himself had reduced to tho same common
level OF helpless calamity.
am gratifcd TO state that the board nrc
now engaged i'll extensive correspondence,
with view to secure al efficient superin.
tendent and capable corps of teachers, and
| that this benign charity will soon again be
| in operation, under the best auspices for its
more beneficial management in the future.
You will SEQ by tho action above referred
to of the board OF directors, rs we'll as by the
action Of tho board OF trustees OF the State
University, that, Mt least in South Carolina,
the " cllaff' is being rapidly winnowcd from
the wheat" and that we arc fast getting rid Of
prejudicinl influences in our State instiiu-
tione. I"
pENlTENTIARY.
The annual report of tho superintendent OF
the State Pentitcntiary presents concise and
satisfactory account Of the condition, wants
and prospects of the institution under his
charge.
The present incumbent, General John b.
Dennis, was appointed OH tho first Of April
1873, and he Immediately assumed the duties
Of the position.
He reports that upon taking charge of this
Important institution, upon tho successful
management Of Which the administration OF
justice SO largely depends, ho found most of
the appurtcnances i'll IL state Of scmidila ptu-
ton and decay.
Tho buildings and workshops, constructed
OF wood, were very much out of repair, and
in some instances actually unsafe, while tho
prisoners were without clothing wercwth to
cover their nakedncss, aud without shoes
hats or blankets to protect them fiom tho
chilling winds and biting frosts of winter
Tho money which the treasurer was able TO
f~I Wv Va viz '"'' oPP' WIS uuTCly
sufficient for the purchase of food to keep or
from tho criminals starvation.
Although the efforts Of the superintendent:
were greatly crippled by his Inability TO real
ize the cash upon the appropriation made for
the support Of the institution, nevertheless his
report calls the attention of your honorable
bodies to many much needed and satisfactory
improvements in tho sanitary, hygicnc and
industrial appointments OF the place, which,
in view Of his many cmbarrassments, arc
worthy Of especial Communications
Nutritious and healthy food in abundance
has been furnished, and tho prisoners have
been provided with comfortable clothing, so
that ihoy may now meet the eye Of the visitor
without either shocking his sense of dccencv
or aiioIdnS Il sad commentary on the lcm.vo.
lcncc and humanity OF the State
The present incumbent wllcn hc took
charge oi the institution, at the time stated
above, found !, i'll debt TO the amoun: Of S5l-
2o3 ID. Twenty thousand dollars Of this
a'nonn, was paid ]. comptroiiers warrants
on The treasury, h;.yin:. a l.rt indebtedness Of
S3l,25a.l9
The General Assembly appropriated for the
support and maintenance ol the i'cni,cn,iary
during the fiscal year commencing on the lrt,
OF November 1872, the sum of Si0oOv. or
tins SUN, $4,000 was drawn by cx.Sarcriu
SNlN IL