duties in order that the cause of popular education may be more efficiently served, and good policy requires that the colored people shoul have a Superintendent of their own, subject, however, as indicated, to the supervision of the State Superintendent.

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE.

There have been of late years some embarrassments connected with this institution in its management, of which it now seems happily relieved, and I am gratified to state it is now progressing under very favorable auspices. Herewith I transmit elaborate reports of various departments of the University, which have been furnished from the proper sources. Not to make invidious distinctions, I beg leave especially to call your attention to the reports from the Agricultural Department and its Experiment Station-a somewhat novel feature in educational affairs, and of special interest to the farming community.

The University of Tennessee has long been fostered by the State! is an institution in which she should take decided interest, and it is hoped its future usefulness will be unimpaired and its progress unimpeded.

I regret to ascertain, through the reports, that many of the scholarships in the University to which certain districts are entitled, are vacant, which should not be the case, there being allowed two appointments upon the recommendation of each Senator and three upon that of each Representative. This institution being a State institution, aided and sustained by the State, and giving advantages to students in the way of expense-those appointed having no tuition to pay-with its facilities for the successful training of youth in all the various branches being equal to the best institutions of the kind in the country, should be most liberally patronized from all parts of the State. Its excellent corps of Professors, its buildings, its library and apparatus, together with its healthful locality, make it an object of much attraction to the seekers of learning.

SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.

The nineteenth Biennial 'Report of the Board of Trustees and Officers of the Tennessee Deaf and Dumb School at Knoxville, herewith submitted, shows that institution to be under excellent management and in a flourishing condition. The number of pupils admitted to the white department of the institution during the two

years is 151; average attendance, 100. Number of pupils admitted to the colored department during two years, 25; average attendance, 17.

The physician reports the hygiene almost perfect. No instance of death has occurred in the white department, and only one in the colored department in two years.

Most gratifying progress has been made in the educational departments. The sign language has accomplished wonders, and one class in oral methods has been continued for two years with much success and promise.

The expense of the institution, it is claimed, is a much less sum than has ever before been reached in the support of an equal number of pupils. Comparing the expenditure per capita of twentyeight similar institutions, it is found that they average $280 per capita, whereas the expenditure per capita for our institution is $207, or twenty-six per cent. less.

The Trustees set forth in detail the wants and needs of the school, and ask of the Legislature a sufficient appropriation to support the increased number of pupils; to make necessary repairs and improvements, and to purchase land and buildings for the colored department. These needs are fully explained in the accompanying reports. I leave to your better wisdom what course to take in regard to increased expenditure called for.

The State should deem it a pleasure no less than a duty to properly and comfortably support this class of her unfortunate yet deserving children. In remote portions of the State there are many of these helpless little ones, living in indigence and ignorance, improperly cared for and almost without friends. Ignorant of the fact that the State has provided for them a home and sustenance free of cost, the Executive is frequently importuned through correspondence to do something to ameliorate their unhappy condition. To extend the hand of aid to them is not only humane, but the privilege of a bright and noble civilization.

BLIND ASYLUM.

This institution is efficiently doing its duty in educating the sightless for reasonable activity and participation in the work of life.

Its administration has been characterized by conspicuous intelligence and economy. It has sixty-one white and eight colored

inmates.

Besides literary education, many are securing industrial educations. Ordinary expenses for the last two years have averaged $12,656 15, and the sum of $7,515.08 has been expended for extraordinary improvements and special purposes set forth in the last act of appropriation. Balance on hand, $5,550.

Of the 2,026 blind in the State, by last census, there are about 212 persons within the limits of age of admission, of whom only sixty-nine are in the asylum.:

For more detailed information I refer to the report of the Superintendent, Prof. L. A. Bigelow, which shows with great particularity the successful working of this institution.

In view of the importance and interesting character of this work, I would suggest that an adequate appropriation be made to enable this institution to compass larger results.

HOSPITAL FOR INSANE.

Enlightened philanthropy is everywhere profoundly interested to give the suffering insane the most helpful and tender ministrations. Tennessee in a spirit of commendable liberality is using the public treasure to place her insane hospital system upon a basis of the best possible efficiency.

Large results in good have already been accomplished, and it is a matter of deep interest that in the future the system may be so extended and perfected as to reach in its benefits all the unfortunate insane of our population.

The Tennessee Hospital for the Insane, under the Superintendency of Dr. John H. Callender, had 412 patients on December 19, 1884, four more than at same date two years ago, and twenty-seven in excess of the number for any previous biennial term, and with an average attendance of 400, being an increase over the past. The number of State charity patients, as fixed by the laws of admission, is in excess, chiefly due to the mandatory commitment of insane persons under criminal indictment by some of the courts of the State. This and other departures from the enactments appertaining to asylums are clearly set forth in the able and elaborate report of the Superintendent, Dr. John H. Callender, and special attention is hereby called to the same for legislative consideration and action.

Hospital receipts amounted to $147,932.55, and disbursements for ordinary support of patients were $138,945 69, leaving a balance on hand, December 19, 1884, of $8,986.86. The cost per patient per an

num was $173.68, or at the rate of forty-seven cents daily per capita. Your committee will be able, when visiting the asylum, to see the practical improvements and benefits therefrom.

EAST TENNESSEE INSANE ASYLUM.

The State, cherishing a deep interest in the care and comfort of the unfortunate insane within her limits, and especially in the welfare of those far distant from the central asylum, and living in East Tennessee, with commendable foresight and wisdom, purchased, some time since, that delightful and valuable site, Lyon's View, near Knoxville, as the location for an East Tennessee Insane Asylum.

At its last session, the Legislature very wisely appropriated the sum of $80,000.00 in aid of the erection of such an institution at that point. Accordingly, after adjournment of the General Assembly, and agreeably to the provisions of law relating to the same, the Executive appointed three discreet business citizens of high character and fine practical intelligence, R. H. Armstrong, J. C. Flanders and Columbus Powell, all of Knoxville, to constitue a Board of Directors, who, promptly organized, and elected W. H. Cusack, of Nashville, architect, and Dr. Michael Campbell, of Nashville, superintending physician of construction.

That the Board might adopt the most approved plan for the construction and equipment of the institution, the Governor suggested the propriety of one or more of the Directors, with the Architect and Superintending Physician, vi3iting some of the best established insane asylums in the North and East, that they might intelligently select from among them the best best possible model by which to execute their trust in the building of a similar institution near Knoxville. The committee, consisting of Messrs. Armstrong, Flanders, Powell, and the Superintending Physician and Architect, visited many famed asylums, and returning, adopted a plan embracing the latest modern improvements, both sanitary and architectural.

A safe and judicious contract for work and material in the construction of suitable buildings was made with Messrs. Fulcher & Jones, who, under the careful supervision of both the Board of Directors and the Architect, have erected at Lyon's View commodious and tasteful buildings, of the most substantial material and in the most workmanlike manner. The following is an outline of the work done and that projected but not completed. The asylum consists of nine buildings, the main front 472 feet long; the wards consist of 174 rooms, that will accommodate

from 250 to 300 patients. There is an administration building, male and female wards, chapel, kitchen, boiler-house, engine-house and laundry, all made of the best material. Of the appropriation, some $69,000.00 have been expended.

No more beautiful and more desirable spot could have been chosen for an Insane Asylum than Lyon's View. Within four miles of the city of Knoxville, high in elevation, commanding a full view of the river and the adjacent heights with their attractive scenery, the location possesses in itself all the requirements that could possibly be desired. in an institution designed for the comfort, care and cure of the unfortunate insane. When completed, the East Tennessee Asylum will be one of the most stately and best equipped in the country, and stand an honorable monument to the munificent charity of Tennessee. The Board of Directors will shortly make special report to the General Assembly and ask additional appropriation to complete the work in hand, and to properly fit and furnish the Asylum for the early reception of patients.

It is recommended that the amount needed be accordingly appropriated. It affords me pleasure to be able to bear, officially, testimony to the intelligence and faithfulness with which the Directors, the Architect and Superintending Physician have discharged their trust.

The land attached to Lyon's View has been rented out for several years, and the claims for unpaid rent are in the hands of the Attorney-General and the Board, for settlement. I confidingly commit this important charitable work to the wisdom of intelligent legis lators and invoke in its behalf an appropriation of necessary public funds.

STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.

At no time since the establishment of this Board, has its efficient working been of greater importance to the people of Tennessee than now. The great mortality and material damage inflicted upon some of the most noted and populous cities in France and Italy within the last few months, have caused the most serious alarm throughout Europe and America. Everywhere active sanitary measures are taken to forestall the impending evil.

Here in Tennessee, so far as State action is concerned, we have an instrumentality which has satisfactorily stood the test of experiment and trial in the past, and is at this time putting forth every effort to prevent the cholera from coming to Tennessee. In