Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-03-17
AN ACT

10 establish an Asyium for the Blind.
SEC. /. Be il enacted By The General
Assembly of the State of Iowa, That
there be and hereby is established a, the
Capitol of this State, an institution for
the instruction of the Blind, which shall
be known as The Asylum for the Blind.
SEC. 2. The Asylum for the Blind
shall be under the management and SUI
pervision Of Board OF Overseers, con.
sisiing Of seven persons, of whom the
Governor. Superintendent of Public In
stuction, and Secretary of State shall
be ex.oflicio members. The Superin-
tenden, shall be President of tho Board;
the other members Of the Board shall
be appointed by the Governor, with the
consent Of the Senate, and shall hold
their offices for one, two, three and four
years respectively, and at the expiration
of each Of their respective terms of Of
flee. one Overseer shall be appointed by
the Governor, with the consent of the
Senate. for the term Of four years.
SEC. 3. The Overseers shall have the
general supervision of the Asylum, a.
dept rules and regulations for the govern.
mcnt, prescribe the course Of instruction,
see that the principal and other officers
of the Asylum discharge their duties
faithfully. as provided in this act. or by
the rule, anc regulations established by
the Board of Oserseers. provide teach
ers, servants, and necessaries for the Asy-
lum. and to do aud perform all acts nee
essary to render the institution efficient
and valuable, not inconsistent with the
laws of this State.
SEC. 4. And three of said Overseers
shall be quorum for the transaction of
business.
SEC. 5. Upon satisfactory evidence
being adduce6 to the comfy court of any
county in the State, that there is a blind
person between the age of seven and
twenty-five years, residing in such coun.
~, who is too poor, or whose parents
are too poor, 10 furnish him, or her, with
an education, it shall be The duty of the
court to cause the clerk Of the court 10
certify that fact, together with the name,
age, address, and cause of blindness of
such person, and the name of his par
ents or guardian. and the place of his or
her nativity, to the Overseers of the Asy.
lum, and upon the receipt of such GER
tifcate, the Overseers shall admit such
person as a pupil to the Asylum, and
shall Immediately forward certificate
to the Auditor Of the State, setting forth
that said pupil has been admitted. to
gether with the date of his or her ad-
mission. Provided, that whenever in the
opinion of the Board of Orerseers there
shall be person resident of the State,
over the age of twenty .two and under
the age Of thirty five, afflicted with blind
ness, who would be benefited by in.
struclion in this institution, by learning
a trade or otherwise, they may admit
such person to the Asylum, TO pursue
such trade, occupation,or branch oflearn
ing as they may deem useful to such
person. and the State shall be charged
for instruction in proportion to the ex-
pense of the same. ...-.t... ~. .-...s,
SEC. 6. Upon the receipt of such GER
tifcate, the Auditor shall draw warrant
on the Treasurer of State in favor of the
President Of the Asylum, for tie sum of
thirty five dollars quarterly in advance,
for the board, tuition, and stationary for
said pupil, SO long as he rem aims pupil
in said Asylum. .... ..
| SEC. Z. No person shall be entitled TO
the benefits of this institution, Except
as otherwise provided in this act, unless
he or she is bone tide resident of this
State, or unless his or her parents or
guardian are residents thereof. ~
Sec. 8. Persons not residents of this
State. shall be entitled to the benefits of
this institution upon paying TO the Pres
ident thereof the sum of thirty five dol.
lars quarterly, III advance, for board and
tuition of said pupil. -'
/ Sec. 8. The Board Of Overseers shall
make an annual report to the Governor,
and biennial report TO the legislative
4 assembly. Of the condition Of the Asylum,
the number, names, ages, residence,
place OF nativity and sex Of the pupils,
4 The length of lime they have been in the
institution. whether supported by the
State or by themselves, or their parents
or friends, the studies pursued. trades
taught, and the receipts and disburse.
ments Of money made on account Of the
1 Asylum.
/ SEC. 10. The Board OF Overseers may
cleo, one Of their number Treasurer OF
the Asylum, who shall give bond in such
sum as the Board may direct, condition
ed for the faithful paying over Of all mon.
les belonging TO the Asylum upon the
order of the Board.
! SEC. IL. The Board Of Oyerseers shall
in no case create any Indebtedness agains.
the Asylum or against the State, exceed
ing the amount appropriated by the gen.
eral Assembly for the maintenance OF
said Asylum.
| Sec. IL. TO meet the ordinary and
contingent expenses of the Asylum, in-
Guiding rent, musical instruments, books,
stationary, fuel. provisions. salaries, and
fu rni,ure. to the first day of January,
!, A. d. 1855. there be and hereby is APP
propria,ed from the State Treasury the
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