The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-02-13

sweetest solaee carry with me into retirement.
adjure you, gentlemen, to give this matter
your most serious consideration.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
Our insane asylums are all in splendid con-
diton and doing a noble work The recent
increased accommodations provided and the
avidity with which they were seized evinces
the supreme need that existed for them. They
should be most literally sustained. Gods poor
and those whom for some inscrutable purpose
He has bereft Of reason are the most holy
charge upon the State.
The Tennessee Industrial School deserves
more liberal sustenanee. 1t is doing a great
work and there could not be too much effort
and means expended to reclaim and reform
hayward children.
had the honor to recommend to your prede-
cessors the establishment of a reformatory in
stitution for youthful criminals, and herewith
renew it. 1t Is cruel to send children to assO-
ciate with criminals and educate them thu
into crime. In the absence of any such provi-
sions have felt it duty I owed to humanity
and society to pardon children as fast as they
arrived at the penitentiary. Doubtless ample
provision could be made for them at the Indus
trial School, keeping them separated from the
other inmates. 1t should not longer be neg
lected.
Modern humanitarians have pressed their
work so assiduousy IN recent years that the
land is covered with charitable institutions for
the amelioration Of every phase OF poverty,
want and affection Tennessee is not IN pace
with the more advanced effort. She has been
hampered for means, but she has not been en-
tirely negIectful. These charities should have
our first attention and aid.
The next venture make into this benef-
cent field should be the establishment of a
school for youthful imbeciles. Other States
have them and it is found that by bringing
them together and employing scientific agen-
cies in their behalf many cures have followed.
These agencies are not ordinarily available
throughout the country and the result Is that
many children are permitted to remain lmDe-
cile and degenerate into idiocy for lack OF
early expert attention and training. Such a
school could doubtless be made nearly self-sus-
tanning after a time. but it cannot be estab
lished and successfully started unless the state
begins and fosters it.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
In making provision for the interests OF the
people of Tennessee the efficient support of the
state Board of Health should be carefully
looked after. From a personal know ledge of
its work, 1 can speak highly OF its value, both
in preventing the spread of disease in Tonnes
see and in promoting the best character of I'M
migration. Jt is also of great public utility by
maintaining an efficient State weather service
in cooperation with the Federal Government
This board should be furnished with additional
means for disseminating information among
the people, and also for investigating the dis
eases of animals, by which damage is done TO
the puDllc nealLn.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
While have sought by all means in my
power to conserve the interests of the State
and the people in every department that my
supervision encompassed, have been most es-
pecially anxious and diligent in promoting our
educational system. When came into Office
found our common schools languishing and the
leading State university almost in ruins.
There was general apathy and lack Of effort,
superinduced by the failure of the schools to
meet the wants of the people. The appoint
ment of Hon. Frank NJ. Smith to be Superin
tendent of Public Instruction breathed life into
the expiring system. Under his intelligent di
rection the very best methods and eNpedients,
born of modern experience and thought, has
been injected into the system, not only render
ing the schools effective for good, but popular
iziug them and bringing the people to
their support. The effect has not
stopped with the public schools, but
new energy and life has been Infused into the
entire fabric, increasing facilities, bringing
the people into more intelligent appreciation
of the Importance of educating their children,
until schools of all classes are multiplied, do
infinitely better and more general work, reach
ing into remotest confines and bringing all the
children of all the people within its benefits.
When that end is entirely reached, IN my
opinion. the greatest and most benehcent boon
within the province of the state to bestow viii
have been conferred upon her people.
The General Assembly Of Tennessee, rep