Year: 1868

~ was AANNAaG0 ~


COMMON SCHOOLS.


The report of the Commissioner Of


Common Schools is again DELAYED by


causes beyond his control, to which


reference was made in my last message.


The need for revision of the school


laws, so as to enforce more reliable and
prompt returns of the facts needed to


base legislation upon, becomes more


and more evident every year. In nv


opinion, the stability Of our Govern
ment and the preservation of the lib


critics of the people depend more upon


the efficiency of our common school
system, and the resulting intelligence
of the rising generation, than upon all
! things else. Other interests NAV be
important, but this is vital. As means
of improving this efficiency, 1 would
earnestly recommend tHo changes in


the system: lst-The establishment
of County Superintendency: and I'd
The distribution of the public money
in proportion to the number of pupils
in actual attendance ct the schools.


The former of these recommends


tions Is made in accordance with a me
mortal of the leading teachers and
educators of the State, and is based
upon the acknowledged necessity for


bringing the stimulus of competent
supervision closer home to our district
schools. The second is warranted BY
sound reason and by the experience OF
those States which have adopted the
rule. If energy on the part of school
officers and parents in procuring con-
slant and regular attendance OF chill
dren at school, is rewarded by ineIeas-
ing their share of the public fund,
the stimulus is found practically to be
most powerful in bringing larger pro-
portion of youth within the influences
of education. These suggestion are
concurred in by the Commissioner of
Common Schools, who will, no doubt,
present them with other fecommenda-
tions worthy of your attention.


BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.


The reports of the several Benevolent
Institutions show not only satisfactory
account of their management and the
good results which have accrued to
their inmates or pupils, but also syste-
matte improvement in. the buildings
and appliances connected with them.
The appropriations made by the last
General Assembly for the enlargement
of the Northern and Southern Asylums
for the Insane, have enabled the Trus-
tees to make good progress in the ad-
ditional buildings, and it is expected
that anoth-- year will see the accom-
modations of those two institutions
nearly doubled. The trustees appoint.
ed to locate and build a new Insane
Asylum have fixed upon Athens as the
place for it, and the liberal gifts in land
and money of the citizens of that vi
cinity have secured to the State an
ample and eligible site. without COST
Plans for the new buildings have been
matured, and the preliminary work
begun. When this Asylum shall be
built, and the enlargement OF the ex
isting ones finished, it is confidently
that the chronic insane,
whose pitiable condition in our county
infrmarIes is now the reproach of the
State, will all or nearly all be broaght
under skilled and constant treatment, |
aud theiF lives made more tolerable to
them, even if cures cannot be effected.


An appropriation was also made at
the last Legislative session for the cree
ton of a new Institution for the Blind,
and the trustees of that Asylum have
selected a plan, after inviting competi-
ton among architects. The plan and
design they have chosen is admirably
adapted to the peculiar work they have
IN charge, is in good taste, free from
useless ornament, and relies for its az
effect chiefly upon the ar
of the masses and parts of
he structure. The sum allotted to
his work was changed at the final pas
age of the appropriation bill, whilst
n terms it required the whole to be
for about one-half of what
he committee had estimated to be
necessary. Had the appropriation been
What no doubt it was intended to be,
partial one, the trustees would have
begun the work of building; but un-
ler the language of the law they have
felt unauthorized to proceed
Until you shall have sanctioned the ne
,esssry expenditure.


The Asylum for Idiotic children il
nearly completed, and the insufficient
md unwholesome quarters at present
occupied by these unforunates will
oon be exchanged for the cheerful, airy
nd well arranged apartments of the
lew building.


The new Asylum for the Deaf and
Dumb is also very nearly finished, anu
he trustees hope to have the school il
Progress at an early day in your session.
he old building being oysrshadowed
" the new one, and the sewerage be
ng dersnged by the new construction, ,
'ecame alarmingly unhealthy during !
be summer. An epidemic fever broke
ut among the pupils, of 50 malignant
character that the medical advisers ,
eported it necessary to suspend the
ohool and send the children TO their
ONES. By doing this promptly, the /
atal cases were made very few, and /
Many lives undoubtedly saved. The I
pportunity was taken to remove the !
Id building and grade the grounds, so
hat the unhealthy effects which might J
esult fro.a much change of the soil ]
-hiist the school should be in progress, !
re obYiated.


BLACKBURN FRAUDS.