Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-01-13
cinetly. but clearly given by the attorney
general In his report to your honorable body.
Institute for the Blind.

l
The institute for the blind has been conducted
successfully from every point OF view during
the last two years. The superintendent has
been faithful in his attention to its interests. and
has managed Its affairs under the supervision Of
the board OF trustees, with degree Of success
which must commend the management TO your
cordial approval. For the last two years, in
consequence of complai Is made OF the treat
ment OF some of the pupils, l have given the in
stitute for the blind more than ordinary atten-
/ tlon, and after the strictest inquiry and most
careful Investigation have failed to find at any
time any physical evidence Of neglect or wrong
doing on the part Of any officer or employc Of
this institution have always found them at
tcntlve to the duties which they have performed
cheerfnlly, intelligently and to the entire salts
faction OF the board of trustees. The pupils seem
TO advance rapidly in their studies, both literary
and industrial and their devotion to the officers
| and teachers Of the school Is an unmistakable
testimony OF the kind and tender care VITA
which these unfortunate wards Of the State are
treated.
invite special attention to the appendix to
the report OF the board OF trustees, which WILL
in the m:pds OF all fair minded people, put for
ever ATTEST The iinwarranted charges paraded
through the press against the management OF
this institution.
The Penitentiary.
The State penitentiary has been successfully
managed during the last biennial term and the
officers and employees have been faithful and
elilclent IN the discharge of their respective
duties The few accidents and casualties that
have occurred were unlookedfor from any
reasonable point of view, and could not possibly
have been prevented with the means at hand
under our present system Of conducting the
prison.
On the 23d OF December there were in the
penitentiary and in the hands Of lessees 1911
prlsoners-,l00 white and 69l cOlorcd. This IL an
increase OF 23S since the Sd of December, 1891.
There were received during the year 1892, 2s6,
and during 1903, TO the ed Of December, 4ol
cOnycis. There were, from December 9, 1884, to
the 23d of December, ls93 seventy-two deaths
among the prisoners, and for the same time there
were scven'y-twO escapes, a large percentage of
whom have lem recaptured. The amount OF
net cash paid into the treasury by the board Of
control for the year 1892 was s2i,OlO5O, and for
the year 1892, to the 23d of December, 26225.99,
with a considerable amount in the hands of the
warden on that date not paid into the treasury:
and still further sums aie due and uncOllcctcd
which have Doubtless since been paid in.
For further particulars pertaining to the in
terests and operations OF tie penltehtlary re-
fer you to the biennial report Of the board Of
control which will be found to be complete in
all its details and replete with valuable sugges-
tions and recommendations.
noel not again remind your honorable body
that after the 3lst OF December 1894, no peni-
tentiary convict can ever be leased to any per.
son or persons. or corporation, private orputl'c.
In presenting tbs subject for your consideri-
tion at your regular session of 1892, | was so
thoroughly impressed with the conviction that
the duty of providing new meih>ds for the con-
duct OF the state prison was deyolyed upon you
at that session, that did not deem it necessary
to cmplla 'ize the recommendations | then made
on that subject. Renewing those recommended
tions, respectfully submit the whole subject to
your consideration and will cooperate with
you in such proper legislation as will dispose of
this inn Ortant question.
Pensions.
Under the provisions of section 27a Of the con-
situtlon the legislature passed an act authoriz
Ing the sum of $50 to be paid annu lily out of
the State treasury to all persons entitled to re-
ceive pensions under the laws Of this State, but
1t was further provided that not more than s64,-
200 per annum should be expended for that pur-
pose. This amount was set apart upon the
hyI Ohesls that It would afford $50 TO every per-
t son entitled TO a pension under the law, but in
, consequence of q very large increase in the num-
Der, only Sa2.25 were paid to each pensioner Tor
the year 1892, and for the same reason the
, amount for the year 1893 will be considerably
less. am Thoroughly convinced that there are
I many per- ie ewing pensions who, under a
. proper administration of the law would not be
eatited TO Them, and on the other hard know
there are some and there may be many, legally
and Justly entitled to the pension who do not
receive it. rec )nlmend such amendment OF
the law as will guard against this evil and in
. sure the payment Of this little pension to those
contemplated by the constitution and non,
others. There is in many counties of the State
. a camp Of Confederate Veterans who could very
properly be authorized TO pass upon all applca
iion for pensions, and in counties where there
are no such camps committee of Confed-
:, crate Veterans might be organized for that pur-
= pose. Then let the money be apportioned to
each county in proportion to the number Of ex-
? Confederate soldiers, sailors, widows, ETC., o:
in proportion 10 the number of soldiers enlisted
= from the county, or upon such other basis as
.. .. may be equitable and Just to all concerned. |
submit the matter to your thoughtful attention
!. :. for the evil complained Of.
n Soldiers Home.
Il The Mississippi Division of United Confed-
@ crate Veterans will ask for legislation looking
r to the establishment OF a home for the disabled
v and inirm ex-Confederatc soldiers and sailors
s OF Mississippi, aud doubt not thai more sub
h stantial r, ef can be assured to the worthy and
q needy soldier in this way than In the distribu-
!. ton OF pensions as ii is now done. There is a
G proposition TO have the State set apart a por-
g iion of the land donated by the city OF Meridian
: for the location OF the East Mississippi Insane
Asylum for Soldiers Home. There may be
!, doubt whether, under the grant, this can be
, done. | shall cheerfully sanction any proper
i legislation for the benefit of the Confederate
soldiers and sailors, and their widows, and trust
y that your wisdom, may suggest means Of pro-
viding Tor them as they should be.
Ievees.
The successful resistance, by the leyecs, VI Tho
immense floods that have threatened the deyas-
tatiOn and ruin Of the great Yaz0o- Mississippi
:, Delta for several years past has demonstrated
y the possibility Of security from overflow and to
= that end certain legislation is needed at this
. special session. The protection OF this great
% valley is a matter that cannot be postponed.
!. !, therefore lay before you the whole subject Of
;, levees and ask that you give due consideration
y to any amendments to the laws relating to levces
and any new legislation that may be proposed in
behaYof either Of the boards Of levee commits.
d sionors.
e The board Of levec commissioners OF the
e Yazoo- Mississippi Delta desires authority tc
i appropriate money for certain purposes essen
d tial 10 the public interest for which they find nc
In, tba laxu n,,I thar lati q