Year: 1877

heavy expenses their maintenance


now demands. With proper legis-


lation, the labor of the convicts in
the penitentiary could be made prof
table, and l ask your attention to this
subject. The, management of this
institution, under the present Super
intendept, seems to me to be Judi
cious; and he can, without doubt,
give such valuable information as
would tend to work out much needed
reforms. ..,..j. ........ 2
81 The charitable ins titutions will
likewise, I hope, receive at your
bands the attention to which they
ere entitled. Reforms looking to a
reduction OF the expenses of supports
ing these charities can be made
without impairing their usefulness,
and without forgetting the claims
that the unfortunate inmates of these
institutions have upon tho charity of
the State.


In reference to the lunatic assy-
lum, recommend the election or
appointment of board of regents,
composed of citizens of this county,
the members of which are not to re-
ceive any compensation for their
services. Motives IF humanity will
prompt worthy and competent men
to undertake this praiseworthy duty,
and they will find an ample reward
in its discharge. The expenses of
this institution, as of the penitentiary,
have been materially reduced within
the last few months; and, in accom-
plishing this end, the superintendent
has given me his ready and efficient
assistance. The two other charitable
institutions which have been cup


ported since December by the funds


placed in my hands are the Institute
for the Deaf and Dumb and the Or
phan Home for colored children. AS
the latter is q State charity, felt it
to be my duty to supply its wants
until suitable provision could be
made for it by the Legislature; but /
regard the outlay for it's mainten-
ance as unnecessarily large. 1t
should be reorganized 80 as to MAX g
it conform 10 the straitened condi,
ton of our finances, as far as this can
be done without defeating the oh
jects of it's creation, which in them
selves are praiseworthy.


OF the condition Uf the University
l am unable to speak advisedly, as
no communication from the auth ori-
ties Cf that institution and no call for
assistance has been received by my
self until within the last fow days,
when the Chair man of the Faculty
handed me his report, which here
with transmit. While / fully recog-
nize the Importance Of keeping up
this institution, am forced to the
conclusion that the benefits it be-
slows, under the present system, are
not commensurate with the expense
it entails. To bring it up to a proper
standard, it must undergo a complete
reorganization, and I earnestly ask
your attention to this subject of vital
consequence. Such action can be
taken at present ne may be necessary
to meet the immediate wants of the
University; and subsequent legisla-
ton can, after mature deliberation,
place the institution on the high
ground it once occupied.


Akin to this subject is that of free
schools, and I earnestly ask that you
will use every effort to establish such
a system as will place the means Of
education within the reach of all
classes in the State. Tho present
system, as it has been administered,
is more rnockcry, under which the
children have been impertectly
taught. The teachers have been
ewindled out of their pay, and tho
money of the people has been souan-