The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-04

minds and hearts Of her children In the
schools Of the State, has completed most
successful year. At the last closing exercises
it was my privilege to present diplomas 70
thirty-fOur young laIlieS, representing all
parts OF the State the first graduates under
the Scholarship Act passed by the General
Assembly. Thes" graduates, we'll equipped
for their high vocation and inspired with the
true professional spirit, are now occupying
important positions as teDchers, and, while
thus helped to Self.suppOrt. are illustrating
the tone and standard Of tn" common schools.
The grateful appreciation OF south Carolinas
provision for her girls in this institution Is
shown be the fact that there were over one
hundred applicants for the STATE scholar
ships at the competitive examinations held In
the different counties last summer by the
State superintendent OF education The
school gives one scholarship of free tuition To
each county in addition to the State scholar
ship.
During the last year the general scope OF
the school has been materially enlarged, hoth
in faculty and accomm odalions, and IL is the
policy Of the board of trustees to continue
This development as occasion may require anu
permit.
the school has been organized with ffty'siN
members.
The Peabody board on account of the good
work of the institution, and on account ol the
cooperation Of the Legislature In this mucn
needed teachcr.trainng work, has Increased
It's annual appropriation To the school;
The high e>timatiOn In which the W inthrop
School Is held by this eminent board, when
has done so much for Southern educatlon
through the distribution 10 Southern schools
Of the .proceeds OF Peabody's benefaction OF
over 81 OO0.0 900, is indicated by the annual re
port of the distinguished president, in which
he says: ''The school is among the best fruits
OF the labors of this board. and we cannot but
feel a special interest and pride in It's sue
The Winthrop School is accomplishing
much for the young womanhood and the
schools OF the State. and is destined TO accom-.
plish still more in the future, and trust VIII
prove but the first steps towards the ample
provision hereafter to be made by the State
for the higher education OF her women. IL
we'll deserved yonr continued support:
For detailed Information concerning the
will be Submitted to you by the board OF trus-
tees
cLAF1N COLLEGE.
This institution devoted TO the collegiate
and practical education Of the colored youth
Of both sexes, continues its important work.
and, with enlarging field and greater facili-
ties, its usefulness Is constantly Increasing.
The excellent management of this College is
worthy of the highest commendation; IL Is
conducted with the most rigid economy, ana
remarkable results are attained at compara-
lively very small expense.
recommend that the appropriation OF five
thousand dollars for the benefit Of this lnsti-
tutioL be continued.
INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB AND
THE BLIND.
This Institution appeals more strongly to
the highest emotions and sympathies or our
nature than any other of the numerous pub
lie charities that mark the civilization OF an
enlightened and Christian people.
The liberality Of the State can never be
more worthily bestowed than in advancing,
by the most liberal support, the education
and restoration TO the world and society OF
this class Of her unfortunate children, Who
without external aid, must hopeessly remain
in utter mental and moral darkness. De-
prived by the accidents Of birth of almost
every avenue to the acquisition Of know ledge,
1t is piliful to behold their complete ignor.
ance of the world that surrounds them, trem-
ing with the good and beautiful things that
constitute the charm of life, but which 10
them are forever sealed blessings. To bring
light out of this olack dark ess, 10 evolve, by
careful and laborious training, moral respon-
sibility where none existed before; TO confer
all the powers and eXcelences of true mum
hood aud womanhood, where the ordinary
means of cultivation are partially or almost
wholly absent, is the noble work Of this noble
institution, and most nobly, under lis able
and faithful direction, does 1t fulfill Its high
Christian mission.
was fortunate enough To be present al the
commencement exercises Of this school dur
Ing the past summer, and, though aware of
the astonishing results obtained by the re-
cent improved methods of instruction for the
defective class of children, did not before rea J.
iZe, to its full extent, the magnificent work
being accomplished. 1t was one of the most
marvellous and interesting exhibitions
have ever witnesse AS can be we'll under
stood when through the performances of the
various classes and grades or pupils, from the
recent matriculate to the graduate, was de-
monstrated the possibility of elevaiing a hu-
man being endowed with average mental
capacity, but without ideas or the means Of
their acquisition, to the level of the intellec-
tual, the rational, and the cultivated. The
large attendance and enthusiasm OF the audi
ences attending these exhibitions evidences
the warm appreciation aud interest of those
most familiar with the work Of the lnstitu-
tloh.
The buildings are in excellent condition
and the grounds neatly laid out and beauti-
fully kept, and an air of cheerful happiness
and Of comfort and refinement pervades the
entire institution.
1t is conducted with most rigid economy
the per capita cost per anuum being SlJ3, the
lowest among twenty.fnur other similar
schools in the United States, with which q
carefully estimated comparison has been
made,
Some increase In the annual appropriation
made to this school is asked for by the board
Of commissioners in consequence of the in
creased number Of pupils enrolled for the
present year and for the completion of some
greatly needed repairs and improvements, for
the detailed statement OF which respectfully
refer you 10 the report Of its accomplished
and able superintendent.
i trust tnhL Glc dluOUnL dSkeu IOT Will Dc
promptly granted by your honorable bodies,
and that this charity, among the highest and
most benetccnt in the State, thus assured of
your generous support and encouragement,
will go on proSperouSly in its God like mis-.
sion Of making the blind to see and the deaf
to hear.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The annual report Of the department OF ag-
riculture will be laid before You by the board
and commissioner. 1t contains Il full review
of the operations of the department for the
past year, and Is commended 10 the careful
consideration Of your honorable bodies.
The inspection OF commercial fertilizers sold
in the State appears, from the department re-
pore, to be carefully and properly conducted,
so as 10 afford the largest measure OF protec
tion to consumers and guarantee them against
The sale OF fraudulent or worthless guanos.
The value and Importance Of u rigid iuspec-
ton of fertilizers is realized when it is stated
that the consumption III South Carolina last
year exceeded E}2 DJ0 tons, costing the farmers
not less than two million dollars. The phos-
phate interest OF the State has had that care
ful supervision BY the department. that SO i'm
nortant an industry demands. Within twen-
ty years phosphate mining has grown from an
TO such proportions that 1t now
;,,o nf a npr.fiffh nf al a