The record-union., 1893-01-04

STATE UNIVERsITIES-NORM SCHOOLS.
The State University he finds ably
managed by business-like and efficient
Board of Regents. He invites attention
to the proposition for a Typographical
survey of the State, but neither indorses
nor condemns it.
The three Normal Schools are attaining
good results, as the standard of excel
lence in our public!schools clearly shows.
L have no doubt that the popularity of
our public school system, and the eff
cheney of its work, are due, in very
large measure, to the excellent training
which the teachers receive at these
schools.
The school at Los Angeles has long
since outgrown its present quarters, and
a request will be made tor the construc-
ton OF new building, which, upon IN
vestlgation have no doubt you will find
necessary, and for which you will max o
an appropriation.
DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND INSTITUTION.
My visit to this institution was most
gratifying one. Everything about the
premises, both inside and outside of the
buildings, gave evidences of thoughtful,
CONSCIENTIOUS and business methods. L
was deeply impressed with the character
of the work performed. Nothing nobler
could man ask to do than to teach the
DIlnd to read, the deaf to understand, and
the dumb to speak, all of which has been
accomplished in this institution.
ADULT BLIND.
There are about seventy inmates who
are engaged in the manufacture of brooms.
The home is under the supervision of Mr..
Sanders, blind man, formerly en-
ployed in the institution as a teacher, The
wisdom OF placing blind man in so re-
sponslble position has been seriously
questioned by many, and at this time 1
ma the board irreconcilably divided,
three being in favor of the plan and two
emphatlcalIy opposed to it. This nm
fortunate state of affairs must have. to a
greater or less extent, an injurious effect
upon the whole institution. l have not
nad tlme since the open rupture between
the board occurred, to personally ipvesti
gate the matter, and | therefore resnect-
fully recommend that your honorable
bodies investigate the same. The board
requests that the law requiring them to
purchase broomcorn at stated periods be
amended so as to permit them to pur-
chase at any time they can do so with
profit to the home. This seems like a
reasonable proposition. They likewise
request an increased APPROPRIATION Of
$4,000, which l recommend should re-
celve your careful attention at the time
the investigation is being conducted.
INSANE ASYLUMS-PRIsoNs
He commends as splendid the manage
ment OF the State Insane Asylums, and
reports the two new ones about ready for
occupancy. The Home for FeehIe-
Minded Children has fine, well-adanted
property, and the officers are efficient
lie regrets the removal from the State of
Trustee Mrs. b. b. Lathrop. Frauds in
construction of the buildings are CHARGED
and are under investigation. The State
Prisons be reports well managed. The
Whittier BefOrm School is doing a ''Won-
derfuP' work. 1t was a necessity, and it's
usefulness is appreciated by the people.
Its present capacity is overtax ed, and the
sum for its support is by two-thirds too
small. The law requiring counties com
mitting to the school to pay half the cost
OF maintenance of the pupils sent should
be enforced. Only Superior Courts should
commit To the school.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
The State Board of Health performed
excellent work during the past year, At
my request they visited various State in
stitutions for the purpose of inspecting
the sanitary condition of the buildinps
and grounds. You will find in their very
full report the changes and improvements
which they consider necessary in the
plumbing of the buildings and the sewer
age of the premises of the institutions
visited. 1t is well-known fact that
some of our large State institutions are in
deplorable condition in this respect.
The plumbing is old and defective. and is
constant menace to the health and life
OF the inmates. l urge upon you the
necessity OF very careful consideration
of this part of their report. As there is
great danger that Asiatic cholera NAV
again appear in this country during the
next year, | consider it eminentlv wise
and prudent that the board have sufficient
funds placed at its disposal to enable it to
thoroughly perform the duties which
would necessarily devolve upon it in such
an emergency. The board suggests that
$4,000 be appropriated for this purpose.
1t seems to me reasonable sum, and
recommend Its appropriation, taking the
precaution, however, for wise and Judi
cious distribution.
The law relative to the duties. rights
and responsibilities of the State Mineral
ogist and Custodian of the State Museum
is conflicting, and diSagreements between
the Trustees and the Mineralogist result.
He recommends " that the State Miner
alogist be placed directly under the con-
troll and supervision of the board in all
things; (2) that they have the power to
appoint and discharge all subordinate
officers; (3) that they be clothed with the
power necessary to conduct the affairs of
their institution, and that they be put on
the same footing as other boards and
commissions in this State in this respect
YOSEMITE.
During the past two years the Commits
sioners to Manage the Y osemite Valley
and Mariposa Big Tree Grove have de-
voted much time and attention to both.
and their report contains many valuable
suggestions. | personally inspected the
work that they were doing, both in 1881
and 1892, and am much pleased with the
Is IL
money appropriated by the last Lepis-
lature has been we'll and profitably spent.
and L most earnestly recommend that
suitable appropriations be made that the
good work now in progress can be car
ried forward.
STATE BOARD OF FORESTRY.
urge each member of your honorable
bodies to read the report of the State
Board of Forestry. in which they speak
at length Of the utter futility of employ
ing fire agents to preserve the forests.
They say that the number of agents
which their appropriation has permitted
them to employ is necessarily absurdly
inadequate" The executive officer of
the board, in his report printed in full.
says that unless some more effective
means are devised for preventing and ex-
fires, not only forest preser-
walton. but forest restoration, will con-
front the State, and that the sum neces-
sary to employ an adequate force under
the present system would appall the Leg
islature. and then it is doubtful if the
work would be effective. Both he and
the board recommend a law providing for
fire wardens in each county, to be ap-
pointed by the Board of Supervisors,
who shall be paid by the day for the time
they are actually employed, and who
shall have power to call upon the citizens