The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-04
Tennes,ee Inluytri.I sc,o,,.


Industrial School was organized requires
Of its officers biennial account to the
Legislature OF their stewardship.
The interesting and instl uctive reports
OF the treasurer and the superintendent
greatly simplify the preparation OF the
presidents report to the board, and also
the join; report TO the Legislature.
Having verified the accuracy OF these
reports by personal inquiry into the de-
tails OF the administration OF the school
from its inception, into the results accom-
plshed, aud into its present condition, we
concur in considering tho situation en-
courasing in high degree.
Such resultst the Iirst twenty months Of It's
existence, with its purposes and methods
so imperiectly understood throughout the
State, are surprising and should remove
doubt from the most skeptical.
The inventory OF their products, detailed
by Supt.. kiivington, shows an aggregate
agricultural and dairy value OF exceeding
$1,000.
To this must he added, besides house.
hold, laundry and other work of such an
establishment, earnings in the chair repair
shop, rustic work aud carpenter labor,
saving TO the institution about $500; also
quito an undertaking in grading to level
and beautify the lawn, which they most
successfully accomplished, the valnc OF
which may be safely placed at 81, 500,
giving grand total OF not less than 5000,
exclusive OF making much OF their own
clothing, shoes and bedding and repair
ing the same.
Think OF this from less than one hundred
boys, many OF them committed because of
restitution, idlchess and crime, and many
too young Tor any service whatever.
What can ever eilace from our memories
the interesting scenes we have witnessed
today; the remarkable progress since our
last meeling;the evidence OF their physical
mental and moral Development Their train
ing in manual labors. in the school.room,
In song and devotional exercises?
Can either Of us ever forget the affecting
duty of asserting to the withdrawal Of
those five manly youths who by their uni.
form obedience; b. constant and faithful
Application, by a strictly upright drpOr..
ment Tor nearly two years, gave convinc.
ing evidence OF thorough reform. and Of
habits Of morality temperance and in.
duslry; and consequently al their right to
receipt favorable situations In different
fields OF industry?
would th5; every citizen Of Tennessee
could visit this institution and witness
as We have today It's achievements with
such limited resources.
But gratifying as has been the result
thus lar, until the school Is older and fully
established, II cannot be maintained with.
cut assistance from the State.
The service rendered by this school 10
4 the poor, deserted, destitute. and IL NAV
I've outcist and crime stained boys Of the
state, embraces boirl, including comfort.
ab,c rooms. lire, light, washing, clothes, a
lair English education, books, medical at
tendance aud careful training ia the vari-
Gus fields Of agricultural, horticultural aud
mechanical industry.
outstanding tie industrious efforts
to disseminate Throughout The State a
knowledge Of the advantages Of this school
comparatively little Is known outside a lew
counties.
livery county in the State has worthy
suhjects-brlght but destitute, as well ~
vicious boys-who, aided by the small
sum oi so from the county, would not
only be saved from poverty and crime, but
become hononcd ciizena.
How could county apply few hun.
drcd dollars more wortlIiiy or more profit
ably?
represented 10 It's full quota Davidson
aud Knox arc fully represented, and, II
allowed. would double their representa-.
ton. But the object IL To make il esscn-
italy a State institution, whose bcnllls
are to be shared by every county willing
10 avail itself OF them.
II will bc seen from the reports referred
10 that, under the exceptionally econom-
ical skillfuh aud efficient administration
ol Ia affairs, this school eau, with COM
plotted improvements. be maintained on
$50 per aBuum Tor each ioy. and
30 Of that sum cnn be realized from the
Jdoducls OF the boys labor in field, garden
aud mechanical shops.
When the school IL established the SUN
from this source will be much larger. pos.
sbly relieving the State OF any charge.
AS the county ron which the hoy
comes pays only $50. the remaining So IA,
inr the present, TO be- supplied by the
State, making a total Of $40, coo per annum
the next two years ipr 20 boys, the limit
Ol the schools capacity.
Tie So, 800 contributed 10y the State Two
year. ago for additions to buildings was
quite inadequate, aud leaves deficit II
eay 5000 ~ a debt.
There Is urgent need, ~ suggested by
the superintendent. for greenhouse, hot
aud pr0pagaling beds q mule or two aud
wagon. aud other needed permanent i'm.
proycnenis, aggrcgaling, with the debt
$1,000, ~ shown 10y the admirable report
oi Treasurer Benson.
When We consider the judicious aud
economical Use made Of the 80, 800; the
highly satisfactory showing Tor the outlay;
the astonishing productions Of the farm
aud garden, with such mcagcr facilities,
anil the invaluable aid 10 be- derived from
q greenhouse and propagnting beds Va
near a city furnishing market for flowers,
plants aud extra rarly vegetables, the adj
visibility OF an outlay for permanent i'm.
pro,oment for this purpose is indisput'
able.
Besides adding materially TO the profits
oi the school. Il will enlarge the sphere of
useful aud profitable training for the boys.
This, then, Is the situation We re-.
quro $1,000 for account Of permanent
aud necessary improvements, which goes
60 enhancing the value Of the property,
and should not be- charged against the
school; SiO.OOO per annum for next two
yctr Tor maintenance 81 the school, or q
total 81 5000 Tor the two years; and u
4 must be- frankly stated that without this
aid the school cannot I've sustained.
u Is not only essential TO iisSuccess, but
TO It's existence. A larger sum could be
t..nurl.zas.ur. .~s.-.....