598 



MISSISSIPPI. 



A comparison of the foregoing figures with 

 those of the year 1879 shows a steady and 

 healthful growth of the public-school system of 

 the State. The number of white children in 

 the public schools for the year in excess of that 

 of the preceding year was 7,037; colored, 12,- 

 914. The average daily attendance shows a 

 like increase, being 6,500 white children and 

 11,288 colored. The number of teachers em- 

 ployed was 202 over that of the preceding 

 year, the increase being confined to the colored 

 teachers. The number of days taught was re- 

 duced three in the country and increased in 

 cities and towns constituting separate school 

 districts from 130 to 177. The average salary 

 paid teachers remains about the same. The ex- 

 penditure per capita of educable children for 

 1879 was $1.62 ; for number in average attend- 

 ance, $3.80. The excess in disbursements 

 over receipts is explained by the fact that in 

 many counties unexpended balances were car- 

 ried over from the preceding year. 



The University of Mississippi has diminished 

 in the number of students. 



During the session of 1S79-'SO there were In the literary 

 department 894 



In the law department 20 



During the session of 18SO-'81 there were in the literary 

 department 829 



In the law department. IS 



During the session which commenced in 

 October there were in attendance in the liter- 

 ary department only 193 students ; in the law 

 department, 10. The instructors employed are, 

 one professor of law, ten in the department of 

 arts, and three in the high-school. The income 

 of the university is little above the amount 

 needed for current expenses. It is greatly in 

 need of a library building and books to put in 

 it ; the law department has no building ; and 

 a good refracting telescope ought to be pro- 

 vided for the observatory. One good building 

 can be made to accommodate both the library 

 and law department. The greatest need of the 

 university, however, is good schools of a high 

 grade in different parts of the State to prepare 

 boys for the university, and to excite in them 

 a desire for education. To have these schools 

 there must be a supply of competent teachers, 

 and to meet this demand there must be estab- 

 lished a normal school for the special training 

 of teachers. A normal department can be es- 

 tablished and maintained at the university at 

 a comparatively small expense. 



The Agricultural and Mechanical College 

 first opened its doors for the admission of stu- 

 dents on the 6th of October, 1880. During 

 the first month 200 students matriculated, and 

 the number soon increased to 300. The dor- 

 mitory was not completed until some time in 

 the spring of 1881. There were during the 

 first year 354 matriculations, and the average 

 attendance was over 200. There were in at- 

 tendance at the close of the year 267 students, 

 about as many as could be comfortably provided 

 for. The faculty consists of a president, six pro- 

 fessors, four tutors, and one United States offi- 



cer furnished by the Government for military 

 instruction. At least one additional professor 

 is now required. 



Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College 

 is as prosperous as the impoverished condition 

 of the colored people of the State will warrant. 

 There were in attendance during the last col- 

 lege year 160 students. An appropriation of 

 $12,000, to properly equip the agricultural 

 department of this college, is required. The 

 State Normal School is doing much good in 

 educating the colored youth of both sexes. 



The educational institutions of the State are 

 almost exclusively for the instruction of young 

 men. No facilities have been provided by the 

 State for the instruction of females in the 

 higher branches of learning. 



The number of patients under treatment in 

 the Lunatic Asylum, during the year 1880, was 

 535. Of this number 44 died, 43 recovered, 

 and 3 improved. There remained in the Asy- 

 lum at the end of the year 442. In 1881 there 

 were under treatment 547 patients, of whom 

 60 died, 53 recovered, and 5 improved. There 

 were remaining in the institution on the 25th 

 of December, 1881, 416 patients. The large 

 increase of mortality during the year 1881 was 

 mainly among patients who had long been suf- 

 fering with chronic affections, such as heart- 

 disease, consumption, and other kindred dis- 

 eases. 



The number of pupils now in the Institution 

 for the Deaf and Dumb is larger than ever 

 before. The average attendance for the years 

 1880 and 1881 was 42. There are now in the 

 institution 68, 14 of whom are colored. 



On the 1st day of December, 1881, there 

 were in charge of the lessees of the Penitentiary 

 876 convicts, of which 782 were colored, 92 

 white, and 2 Indians. During the last two 

 years commencing December 1, 1879, and end- 

 ing December 1, 1881, 125 have died, 136 have 

 escaped, and 25 recaptured. The number of 

 convicts received in 1880 was 280; in 1881, 

 351. The number discharged in 1880 was 

 228; in 1881, 188. The number pardoned in 

 1880 was 34; in 1881, 41. 



The amount of hire for convicts, from June 

 15, 1876, to January, 1881, is $40,231.19; 

 amount of improvements contracted for dur- 

 ing the time, $31,774.04 ; all of which were 

 completed with the exception of $3,896.65. 

 Since that time work on said contract has been 

 done to the amount of $2,070, leaving yet 

 to be completed improvements amounting to 

 $1,826.65. Permanent improvements amount- 

 ing to $4,749.17 were also made by the former 

 lessees prior to the expiration of the lease, 

 January 1, 1881. 



Under act of March 6, 1880, the Board of 

 Public Works leased the Penitentiary and all 

 property pertaining thereto, for six years from 

 January 1, 1881, for $39,420 per annum. 



The following figures are taken from the re- 

 port of the State Commissioner of Immigration 

 and Agriculture. 



