The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-28

OF 1888, OF which / was member. began
its labors. The Committee early arrived
AZ the conclusion, that to prevent a con.
tinuation of this ''sponginc process.n
which had cost the State nearly. IL not
quite, as much TO run the heads OF these
institutions as was allowed them by law
as salaries, the appropriation should not
be made in lump as heretofore, but that
the amounts for wages and salaries and
for the support OF the unfortunate inmates
should be separated and distinctly speci-
fled, and this novel feature in the appro-
priation bill was adopted and adhered to
throughout.
Having progressed thus far, the next
question Tor the committee to consider was
what amounts were necessary to pay wages
and salaries and support the asylum de-
Gently. For information ON this subject
we looked to the reports OF the superin-
tendent and steward. DIR. MitchelIs re.
port disclosed the fact that the appropria-
ton of S59, 600 annually for the past two
years had been sufficient for the comfort
able support Of the inmates" and 'pre-
Stunning that prices for the next two wears
will be about the same as the past two"
he blandly informed the Legislature that
he would only TASK for the same support
as given for the last corresponding period"
Here We found the data for an appro-
priation in solids, for we only had to de-
duct from S59, 900 the 81, 75l.l0 board bill
Tor the thirteen members of the families of
the superintendent and assistant; $673.b0
Tor the board OF the five servants in attend
ance on said families, and $4,000 for the
wages oil said servants-a total OF IS, 036. 60
and we would have the amount neces-
sary Tor the comfortable support" of the
institution, which might be legally and
honestly expended. But the committee
having resolved to adopt clause in the
bill, after the appropriations to the elee
mosynary institutions, to prevent any more
Judging" on the taxpayers, which pro-
ylded that no part OF the support fund
shall be used by any officer or employee in
said institutions to support or aid in sup
porting his or her family, hiring servants
to wait upon said family or paying laundry
bills, we had to seek further information
IN order that we might divide the appro-
priation TO the Jackson insane asylum in.
diligently. The report Of tine steward fur
nished ms the desired information when he
told us that he had discussed as wages and
salaries for the year 1887, $l9,06l.3 "a; and
Tor the support OF the inmates, including
all Incidental expenses, 500, 93SG6
The committee thought TO comply with
the just demands OF the taxpayers and at
the same time meet the estimate OF the
superintendent by making an appropria-
tom sufficient for the comfortable support
OF tine inmates" We had only to deduct
the amount heretofore paid for servants
hire, S6l2, from the wage and salary ap-
preparation, Sl0,06l.3i, and the combined
amounts pail by the State for the board OF
thirteen members OF the families domiciled
at the asylum and the five servants in their
employ, aggregating 50, i2i.60, from the
support fund, $50, 9lS.86. And this il sub
stantially what WIS done, for the appro-
priation bill, which passed both houses
and WIS approved by the Governor, gave
the insane asylum at Jackson each wear,
for wages and.salaries SIS, $50, for support
fund $4,000.
Calculations were made for the Fast
Mississippi Insane asylum, the deaf and
dumb and the blind asyums upon the
same basis and the appropriations made
accordingly. Hence the statement that
our elecmosynarysnstitutions have been
put on half rations Is exceedingly unjust
TO the committee that framed the bill and
the majority in both houses II the Jcgis-
laturc that supported IL, unless, indeed
TuE ArrEAL should insist that il is proper
for officers Of such institutions, without
authority Of law, 10 furnish their rooms,
support their families, hire their servants
and cleanse their dirty linen nj the ex-
pcnsc Of the State paying them handsome
salaries, merely because other officials have
robbed the people in the same way In the
past. II practice 10 palpably wrong can
he defended under the plea OF custom.
could We not with equal propriety CON
tend, since we have prccedcnts set by
Polk, Vincent and Tate, that II Is not so
very wrong after all for the treasurer him.
self 10 rob State FRANK BuRKfTr.
0kalona, Miss. March 20.