The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-04

advantageously used, but suggest we ask
| Tor the smallest spm with which we can
possibly go through. II the school is to be
| abandoned, the earlier the better, rs with
| out the aid suggested each day would add
to its embarrassment.
But can it be doubted that the Legisla-
ture, under proper presentation, will see
the necessity for such an institution and
the merits OF this one as we do?
1t has been estimated that the average
cost to the State OF conviction, transporta-
ton and maintenance as a criminal OF one
| OF its citizens is about $1,000.
III this estimate is even approximately
correct, the advantages OF an industrial
school from financial standpoint are in
valuable, aside from its benevolent feat
ures and the duty OF the State to care for
its homeless and worse than homeless
children.
Surprising 200 orphan, destitute or way
ward boys are reclaimed and become well
trained, fairly educated, useful citizens.
at cost TO the State and county each of
so per annum for each boy the outlay
for the 200 boys, rs heretofore shown,
would aggregate only $4,000 per wear TO
the State, while saving perhaps, five or
ten times that sum in cost OF criminal
prosecutions.
That industrial schools are the recog-
nized agencies for preventing these evils
and securing these benefits is at the pres
ent, day questioned by no one. Other
States have, from small and cautious be-
gnrings, increased their appropriations 10
such institutions until today the majority
OF the States OF the Union, seeing the
beneiicent results, point to them with
pardonable pride.
Aside from contributing to the demands
OF noble charity, these States have iound
that such schools, by reducing crime and
increasing the number OF trained. useful
citizens, pay rs an investment.
As Tennessee is not less able, she will
certainly prove herself not less ready than
her sisters, TO engage in this good aud
useful work.
The state in the last ten years has taken
giant strides in the development OF her
natural resources; each year adds millions
of dollars TO her taxable wealth, and con-
sequcntly TO her income.
Our present population OF 100000
will soon be doubled while in material
progress the most sanguine enthusiast.
cannot we'll overeslimale our wealth and
prosperity in the years To come. Such
favomble surroundings bring with them
the obligations TO care literally for the
comfort OF her blind, deaf, dumb and in
sane, and not less so for the education and
moral training OF her destitute, orphan
and maynard children
Reasonable provision has been made for
the first four classes OF unforiunates. In
addition TO justly liberal outlaws for
buildings, the state appropriates about
S22o, 900 annually for their maintenance
aud comfort.
II isa noble charity, from which the
State receives in return only the con.
sciousness OF duty well performed, and
she could have no higher reward.
The state took another step IN the dircc.
ton OF practical charity, and even iinan.
cially "a profitable one, when at the last
session OF the Legislature il acctpted from
public-splriied and generous citizen the
muniiicenl gilt OF lands and buildings Tor
nm Industrial School. and appropriated
900 fo- additions TO the buildings.
Considering the limited means at its
command, the achievements vi the insii.
tuition Tor the FIRST year aud Il half OF lis
existence have been highly cncouaginy.
The field OF labor before il is broad
one, and the need OF such an institution
imperative. Thousands Of children in the
State, from olphanage, poverty, neglect
and ignorance arg daily exposed to lempta.
tons and sorcly in need OF that protection.
instruction and friendly guidance, Without
winch a lie OF failure, shame aud crime
awaits them,
Can the State hesitate TO divert these
precious lives from The channels OF misery
10 thosC that will render them honorable
and valued citizens, when the facilities for
doing 10 are at hand, involving an outlay
80 swaziland certain OF the most gratifying
rciurns2
IL IL not infinitely better, TO spend n
small sum In trimming It's abandoned. dcs.
tituie and helpless children to seli.reliant,
fairly educated and useful citizens. than
two or three times m much in conyicting
them Of crime, and maintaining them M
criminals
II 81, IL IL certainly not only the duty,
but 10 the incAiculHblc interest oi the
State 10 foster an institution which would
mnsbcer;aiuly accomplish this most dcsir-
able result.
II would bc "ibe stitch In time" the
ounce Of prevention"
Tennessee will not faltcr In a work that
leads To such grand results The beckon-
ing hands Of States which are rcaping the
beneficial returns Of their muniicenco In
this direction, invite Us TO emulate their
worthy and profitable example; and, GER
tainly no State was ever encouraged by
more favorable conditions, or had greater
incentives 10 action.
Respectfully submitted.
T. ]. L,rnAN,