The following message was received from the House of Representatives through Mr. Hawley, chief clerk:

MR. PRESIDENT: I am instructed by the House to inform the Senate that the House has taken up, amended, and, as amended, passed Senate bill No. 6, entitled "An act requiring the Governor to appoint a special committee of the General Assembly to visit and examine the institutions of the State;" in which the concurrence of the Senate is respectfully requested.

Senator Edwards of St. Charles introduced Senate bill No. 92, entitled "An act to enable insurance companies, other than life insurance companies, to surrender their special charters and accept in lieu thereof the provisions of the general insurance statutes;" which was read first time and 50 copies ordered printed.

Senator Bland introduced Senate bill No. 93, entitled "An act to prescribe the qualifications and duties of practitioners of medicine and surgery, and to regulate the practice of medicine;" which was read first time and 50 copies ordered printed.

Senator Heaston introduced Senate bill No. 94, entitled "An act to amend section 6334, chapter 129, of the Revised Statutes, entitled' Of merchants' licenses;" which was read first time and 50 copies ordered printed.

Senator DeArmond introduced Senate bill No. 95, entitled "An act in relation to the construction and maintenance of aprons or chutes to facilitate the passage of fish over dams and other obstructions ;" which was read first time and 50 copies ordered printed.

Senator Morrisson introduced Senate bill No. 96, entitled "An act to appropriate money for the payment of the National Bank of Commerce of the City of New York, fiscal agent the State, for the payment of bonds of the State and interest coupons as they fall due, from the year 1872 to December 31, 1880."

Senator Jacobs introduced Senate bill No. 97, entitled "An act to amend sections 5901 and 5912, chapter 118 of article 3 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, entitled 'Of institutions;'" which was read first time and 50 copies ordered printed.

Senator DeArmond introduced Senate bill No. 98, entitled "An act of limitation as to the payment of certain State warrants and State bonds;" which was read first time and 50 copies ordered printed.

Senator Edwards of St. Charles submitted the following report from the Committee on Engrossed Bills:

MR. PRESIDENT: Your Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom was

referred Senate bill No. 17, entitled "An act respecting the probate court in the county of Jackson," beg leave to report that they have compared the same and find it to be truly engrossed, and that the printed copies thereof furnished to the Senators are correct; which was read.

Senator Jacobs submitted the following report from the Committee on Blind Asylum:

MR. PRESIDENT: Your Committee on Missouri School for the Blind beg leave to make the following report: By authority of the Senate, your committee visited the school for the blind, in the city of St. Louis, and, after spending two days in making a thorough examination of the condition and affairs of the institution, respectfully submit the following as the result of their investigations:

THE BUILDING.

The building is located on Morgan street, between 19th and 20th streets, and is, in the opinion of the committee, sufficiently commodious to meet the present requirements of the school. The main part of the building, however, is very old, and the entire structure in bad condition and in urgent need of immediate repair. The roof is very old, and must, at an early date, be replaced with a new one. The floors in many rooms are nearly worn through, and should be relaid at once.

The walls are dingy with age and weather stain, and they, as well as the wood work, should be repainted, for the better preservation of the property, and to the end that the rooms may look respectable.

The report of the board of trustees shows that during the past year about $600.00 was expended to insure the building. Your Committee is of the opinion that this property should not be insured, for the following reasons:

1st. Because the State is far more able to bear the risk of loss by fire than any insurance company can be to assume that risk.

2d. Because the safety of the unfortunate children of the school is of the first consideration, and while we would not charge that the insurance of the building would lessen the vigilance of those in charge, yet we believe it would have that tendency, and is, therefore, impolitic.

3d.

Because the money so expended must necessarily trench upon the maintenance fund, which is too small already, and should not be lessened.

THE FURNITURE.

The furniture is, in the opinion of every member of your committee, totally inadequate for even the simple wants, to say nothing of the comfort and convenience of the inmates of the institution. There are but few carpets in the entire building, and those are old and badly worn, having done service for unknown years.

There are no wardrobes, or even hooks or brackets in the dormitories in which the children may hang their clothing at night; nor is there a particle of furniture in the dormitories, except the cots on which the children sleep. There are no curtains to the windows; there is hardly a comfortable chair in the building. In short, the furniture is not only old and worn with use, but is totally insufficient in quantity.

There is absolutely nothing with which the children can amuse themselves-no toys, no gymnasium-nothing whatever with which to break the monotony of their darkened lives; and your committee think that suitable means of amusements, such as swings, gymnasium and toys of suitable and substantial kinds, should be provided.

THE CLOTHING.

The clothing was found to be comfortable and clean, and at the same time inexpensive.

The beds are placed on cots and are all they need be for comfort.

THE FOOD.

The food is ample in quantity, sound and well cooked, and your committee can recommend no improvement in this direction, except they are of the opinion that there should be an abundance of milk given to all of the children, none now being served, except to the sick or feeble.

The sanitary condition of the institution was all that could be desired. None of the pupils were sick at the time of our visit, and no death has occurred during the past two years.

Your committee noticed, with great pleasure, the extreme neatness and order that prevailed in the several departments, as well as the spirit of contentment that was exhibited by the children we talked with, many of them privately, and all expressed themselves as happy and contented; and we found none that wished to leave the institution. They seemed to be profoundly grateful to the good people of the State for providing for them the means of securing an education.

Your committee visited the various classes, and while we do not feel competent to pass judgment upon the system of education pursued, we were profoundly impressed with the degree of proficiency attained in all the elementary branches of an English education. Some of the recitations possessed great merit, and would have done credit to pupils of the same age in any school in the land.

THE MUSICAL DEPARTMENT.

This is one of great importance, and your committee were pleased as well as surprised at the high standard reached in this department. We were entertained by solo and chorus singing, piano and organ playing, of decided merit, and also listened to a full orchestra composed of eight violins, two flutes, one clarinet and two horns. The blind, more than seeing people, enjoy and appreciate music, and readily become expert performers on the various instruments, when an opportunity is afforded them. Too much attention cannot be paid to this branch of their education, as it opens up to them, in very many cases, the means of acquiring a comfortable livelihood. A large number of the graduates of the Missouri School for the Blind are now engaged in different parts of the State in teaching music, and are reported as being very popular and successful musical educators. In this connection your committee would note the fact that the supply of musical instruments, especially of the smaller kinds, is not sufficient for the wants of the school, and should be increased.

Prof. Gilsinn, who has charge of this department, is a gentleman of rare musical attainments.

THE LIBRARY.

Your committee was impressed with the necessity of providing a good supply of new books for the teachers' library. On account of the limited number of books printed for the blind, it becomes necessary for the teachers to read to the pupils, and thus teach them orally. One hour each evening is devoted to this work, and we are informed that the library, which is very small, has been read and reread, and badly needs replenishing. The trustees ask for one thousand dollars for this purpose, and your committee earnestly recommend that the request be granted.

THE MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT.

This department is one of great practical benefit to the pupils. The boys' work-shop is in charge of Geo. Blades, a blind graduate of

the school, and under his efficient management the boys are not only taught a trade which will make them self-sustaining through life, but the shop actually shows a profit of $126 in the past two years. By a system of experiments, it has been found that broom-making is better suited to the blind than any other trade. The pupils soon become as proficient in their work as seeing people; and then again, when they leave the school and are thrown on their own resources, a small capital is sufficient to purchase the necessary machinery and establish them in their business. In view of these facts the trustees have very properly discontinued the teaching of all trades but that of broom-making.

In the girls' work-room we were shown a large array of useful and ornamental work, such as quilts, wearing apparel, crochet and bead work. We were attracted by the busy hum of sewing machines operated by blind girls, and the work done was as well done as could be desired. In fact, your committee were quickly convinced that these poor blind girls were not helpless objects of charity, but skillful and useful members of society, made capable by the system of education offered them, of doing almost any kind of work that seeing people can be taught to do.

BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS.

Your committee carefully examined the books and accounts, and found them to be correct. All vouchers for material are on file in the order of their payment, and are approved by the Superintendent and countersigned by the President of the Board of Trustees.

Too much credit cannot be given to the officers of the school, and the Board of Trustees, for the efficient manner in which they have managed the school, and the funds appropriated for its support.

The Board of Trustees is composed of gentlemen whose names are a sufficient guarantee that the duties of their trust are discharged with scrupulous fidelity to the State and the unfortunate beings in whose behalf they labor. They receive no compensation for their services, and your committee feel that they are entitled to the highest praise for the efficient manner in which they have managed this noble State charity. It is fortunate for suffering humanity that such men as Thos. E. Tutt, D. R. Barclay, Jos. O'Neill, R. M. Scruggs, H. Clay Ewing, N. B. Thompson and Dr. S. Pollock can be found who will give their valuable services and time in behalf of their less fortunate fellow beings. One of these trustees, Dr. Pollock, has been connected with the Institute from the time it was founded, and has given his professional services as a physician without charge. He is devoted to the school and its pupils.