Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-01-09
Deaf and Dumb and Blind Institution.

We are indebted to A. Koiner, Esq, oil
the Va. Legislature, for copy of the fl
teenth annual Report Of the officers of thi.
Institution. The Report represents the
Institution TO be in Aourishing condition.
From it we learn that
The whole number of deaf-mutes at any
time in the institution from Virginia, is
100. The whole number of blind at any
time in the institution from Virginia, is
81. Total pupils Of both classes from Vir-
ginia, 242. The number OF deaf-mute ap-
plicants at this time is 81. The number
OF blind applicants at this time is 40. To-
tai applicants at this time, of both classes,
1O1. The number Of counties which
have never furnished a pupil of either
class to the institution, is SO. The mum.
Der Of counties from which there las ney.
er been even an application. is so.
The able and indefatigable Principal,
DR.. Merrillatt, in his report to the Board
of Visiters, gives an interesting statement
OF the birth and progressive growth of the
Institution We give the opening para.
graph:
On the s1st day of March, 1893, the
legislature Of the State of Virginia passed
an act ITO provide for the establishment
Of the Virginia asylum for the education Of
the deaf and dumb and blind" and ap.
propriated 80 much as shall (,hou!d) be
necessary, not exceeding $50, 0O4, for the
purpose Of procuring a suitable site, or
sites, and for erecting thereon tile necessa.
~ buildings, and the further sum Of SlO,-
600 annually for the support of the ins,i.
tuition" On the 18th Of March 1889, the
genera! assembly resolved that the ,nstitu.
ton should be located "withm the town
of Stanton, or within three miles there
Of" In the month Of April Of the same
y ear, the president and directors of the
Literary fund appointed Messrs. Alex. H.
H. Stuart Of StauDton, Rev'd VIM. s.
Plumer Of Richmond, JAMES Mcdowell OF
Rockbridge, Robert Gray of Rockingham,
n. G. Kinney, F. I. Stribbiing and James
Points of Staunton. visitors OF the insti,u-
ton, and instructed them to ASSEMBLE at
Staunton for the purpose OF making The
necessary arrangements for its oreahiza-
ton. They met accordingly selected itr
the site OF the building lot of five acres,
which was rendered 10 them by James
Bell, Esq..@of Augusta county added to
it.by purchase IL acres and some poles >
employed Mr.. Robert Long. distinguish.
ed architect Of Baltimore, to furnish them
with a complete and minute plan of the
buildings TO be erected. aud entered into
for their erection. They also
the two schools. by appointing
tue late Rev'd Jos. D. Tyler principal OF
the deaf-mute, and DR.. J. C. NJ. Merrillat
principal of the blind department.. with
such assistants as were then necessary.-
Thus organized. the institution went into
operation about January LIST, 1840-each
department with two pupils. in separate
buildings. which were erected for the
purpose in the town Of Staunion.
We presume there is no similar institu-
ton IN the United States, blessed with
more efficient officers, and whose career
has been one of such transcendent benefit
to those unfortunates placed within its
walls for instruction. 1t should continue
10 receive the fostering care of the Gene
raj Assembly.
From the Report, il appears that Mr..
Force, is lndustriously engaged in COM
pleting the arrangement for lighting the
Institution with gas, and heating it with
faam