Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-18

ined the site selected for the erection
of the East Tennessee Insane Asylum
After looking over the farm a ma
jority of the legislative visitors ex
pressed the opinion that the State
could not afford to offer the farm fol
sale at this time, while real estate j.
so deprecated in value. The opinion
was expressed by one OF moro of tn,
committee that the State would Dc
well to appropriate the amount re.
quired to finish the building upon the
foundations already laid, as the asylum
atsNashville could not accommodate
the unfortunate insane of the State,
Such an institution is demanded BY
the State and the committe thought
that no more beautiful or convenient
locations could be secured than the
site at Lyons View. AT any rate, they
all agreed that it would not be advis.
able to dispose of the farm at present
On the drive back to the city the
farm belonging to the University o.
Tennessee and connected with it wal
inspected. Under the careful Eansge-
ment ofthe officers of the University
the College Farm has been greatly i'm
proved, and is now one of Che best in
the country. The heard of beautiful.
cattle were shown TO the visitors, who
were delighted with the practical wis
dom displayed in the management Of
the farm in its various departments
After leaving the farm the company
were taken back to the University,
when the various buildings, recitation
rooms, models and other appearances
were examined. At half past six
o'clock the visitors were taken to the
college boarding house, where they
enjoyed an excellent supper, and after
paying their respects to the solid com.
forts prepared for them they were
driven back to the city, having spent
the afternoon very pleasantly and prof
itably. They express themselves a.
delighted with Knoxville, and espe.
cially pleased with our excellent Uni.
versity, the pride of the city.
After their return to the city the
members of the visiting committee,
we're serenaded by the University
Band, and Messrs. Ewing, Mathes and
Snodgrass each made a very happy lit.
tie speech, returning thanks to the
boys for the courtesy and compliment.
ing the institution represented by
them.
After remaining at Knoxville three
days and making a thorough investiga-
ton, the committee returned to Nash.
vile, and the American of the 18th, il
its report of the legislative proceed
ings, contains the following
Mr.. Mathes, from the committee
appointed to investigate the manage
ment of the East Tennessee Universe.
ty, presented the following report:
Mr.. Speaker-We are instructed BY
the joint committee to visit and in
yestigate the manner in which the
affairs Of the East Tennessee Univer.
sity are conducted, to report that that
duty has been performed. The vari.
Gus buildings and farms belonging tC
the University were visited and care,
fully examined. The methodof teach.
ing in the agricultural and mechanical
colleges was illustrated, and the man
ner of conducting the farm explained
-Four witnesses we're examined as t
the enforcement of the laws Of con.
gress and Tennessee, under which the
University is receiving aid. The testi
mony shows that these laws are car.
ried out and complied with in ever
particular, and that the entire interes
arising from the congressional dona
ton is expended in the support anC
for the benefit of the agricultural
mechanical and military departments
Every facility is afforded young mel
Of small means by work upon the farm
TO carry on a complete course Of study
The instruction in the agriculture
aud mechanical colleges is a
practical as can be expected
when it is remembered thai
institutions Of this kind are in theii
infancy, and time is required to de
velopI and give them full efficiency
The trustees have recently taken step
to greatly promote the usefulness O.
the Agricultural College by the cleo.
ton OF an additional professor. The
venerable president, the faculty and
trustees aided the committee in every
way in their power to obtain all the
information desired. The University
under It's present management, il
bound to rank with the very best in.
situations of learning in our country
The committee would suggest tina.
the number of trustees is so large al
to make it almost impossible for all o
them to be present at the meetings
and should be reduced TO not NOR
than thirty. This can be done by no
filing vacancies as they occur, uuti
the number is reduced. AS the Uni
Yersity is a State institution, it is tor
much localized by the appointment o
so many resident trustees. Their
should be three from each congress
ional district, so as 10 mako the Uni
versity, in the fullest sense, a Stat,
institution.
Respectfully submitted
u. w. EWING,
Chairman Senate Committee
j. HARVEY MATHEs,
Chairman House Committed