Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-03-20
,rnE STATES INSTITUTIONS.
Report OF the Committee that
Visited the states Property
at Knoxville.

Senator Steele submitted the fol-
lowing report TO the Senate Saturday;
The members of the Committee on
Charitable Institutions located at
Knoxville, direct that the following
report be made;
We went 10 Knoxville TO examine
the Deaf and Dumb school, Universi>
~ of Tennessee and the fair grounds
We found upon a careful examina-
ton ofthe building and appurtensnces
of the Deaf aud Dumb school that the
same are in good condition, neat aud
Clearly. The beds aud bedding are
good, the food furnished the inmates
is substantial and healthy, the santa
~ regulations are excellent. the
grounds are beautifully arranged and
present pleasing appearance to the
eye, the accommodations are ample
for all the children Of our State who
are deaf and dumb and desire instruc
ton in this school. We found a
printing press 10 operation, run 6y the
pupils of the institution; also shop
where children are taught to make
boots aud shoes. These trades are
taught them that they may become
self-sustaining.
We cannot say too much in praise of
the Trustees, who watch closely
the interests Of the institution aud
perform the duties imposed upon
them without reward.
The printed report of the trustees
of the institution gives a detailed
statement OF the financial workings,
condition, ETC., which is respectfully
referred to for information on this
subject.
We visited the fair grounds belong.
ing to the State at Knoxville. We
found the place in a dilapidated con
dition. The fencing is almost worth
less. We we're unable to find any
deed, or record of any kind, of this
property anywhere AS to what should
be done with this property, your COM
mittee have no recommendations to
make.
We found the experimental farm at
Knoxville, which belongs to the State,
divided into two tracts of l40 and 10
acres, respectively. The first is de-
voted chiefly to field crops, the later
to experimental farming, where e Is
and fertilizers are practically tested,
and the results published bi annually.
We examined the process Of preparing
and preserving ensilage, and can say it
is decidedly the cheapest and most
economical plan for preparing and
keeping forage for stock that we
know Of.
We went to the bank and counted
the bonds Of the State, 396, amounting
to 1896, 900, held by the University of
Tennessee as an endowment fund.
The University OF Tennessee is in
good condition, and the report of the
trustees is in all things correct. The
management is good in all respects,
but the number of students is too
small for the cost of the university,
and your committee would recon-.
mead shat the Legislature take such
action as will increase the number Of
students.
The University is in a prosperous
condition, considering the patronage,
and the only defect is the small at,
tendance, which in some way should
be remedied. Our grateful ackuowl-
edgemeRts are due the citizens of
Knoxville, the managers OF the Deaf
aud Dumb school, the University Of
Tennessee and the Nashville and
Chattanooga, East Tennessee, Virginia
aud Georgia and the Memphis and
Charleston railroads for cJurtesies
kindly extended to your committee.