P. L. RICHARDSON, FOREMAN OF THE PRINTING OFFIC. D. A. RICKABAUGH, FOREMAN OF THE BROOM SHOP. J. B. DUFIT, FOREMAN OF THE CARPENTER SHOP. J. H. JERNIGAN, FOREMAN OF THE SHOE SHOP. EVA. A. COBBS, BOOK-KEEPER. W. S. WILKINS, ENGINEER. TRUSTEES' REPORT. To His Excellency, BOREN R. SHERMAN, Governor of Iowa. Sir: The Board of Trustees of the In stitution for the Deaf and Dumb respectfully report: We again rejoice in the fact that the close of the biennial period, ending June 30th, 1883, permits us to report a continued state of general and marked prosperity. The number of beneficiaries has largely increased, at times approaching the number of 300; yet through Providential Grace, which is devoutly and thankfully acknowledged, the general health during the whole period has been excellent; infectious and serious diseases remaining unknown and cases of lighter illness receiving prompt care and proper treatment. The moral condition of the pupils has kept pace with their physical development; it seldom becoming necessary to administer severe punishment, and the praiseworthy and zealous efforts of the teachers, aided by the decided interest shown by the scholars in their studies, has advanced the school proper to a highly creditable standard. This favorable state of affairs justifies and strengthens the hope, that, after the addition. of some needed facilities, the Iowa School for the Deaf and Dumb will rank among the first institutions of its kind. The finances of the institution have been managed with proper regard to economy. None but necessary expenditures have been made and the term closed with a small balance in the hands of the Treasurer. The report of the Superintendent gives a full account of receipts and expenditures of the current and ordinary funds, while the Treasurer's report states the condition of the special appropriations, made by the last General Assembly, most 8 of which have been either entirely or nearly expended for their proper purposes. Unless very unfavorable weather and unusually high prices of fuel, provisions and common necessaries should increase the cost of living, the allowance of $35.00 per quarter per pupil will be sufficient to meet the expenses from the general fund for the current term. The ordinary fund, however, from which the teachers' and officers' salaries must be paid, and which, in addition, must meet all bills for the ordinary needs of the institution, including furniture, school-books and appliances, must naturally be enlarged, by reason of the steady and rapid growth of attendance. An additional number of experienced teachers will have to be employed during the current term, and increased supplies for the school are required. To meet these necessities, after a careful estimate, we recommend an increase of this fund to the amount of five thousand dollars, ($5000.00). There are two subjects, which continue to be, not only the cause of great and constant expense, but also the source of continued care and anxiety: the supply of water and of light. The attention of the General Assembly has repeatedly been called to the urgent necessity of changing the mode of supplying the institution with water, on account of the present danger of spreading discase among the inmates, and we are again compelled to refer to this matter. The water is now obtained from Mosquito creek, half a mile from the institution, where it is conducted by means of a steam pump and the necessary piping. The latter being laid in low ground, is liable to rust quickly, requiring replacement every few years, and the great quantity of water required, necessitates the almost constant employment of a man to attend the steam pump; which two circumstances combined make this method of water supply quite expensive. This, however, might be overlooked, if the water obtained, were good and pure. But such is not the case. The creek is the receptacle of much offall and unclean and impure matter. A slaughter-house is situated on the bank-although a few hundred feet below the mouth of the water supply-pipe,-a paper and several other factories are located above it, emptying their filth and putrid matter into the stream. Although the water thus obtained, is not now |