Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-05-15
cidents ofbirth or future.

order to complete the application OF this
principle, it is necessary te provide for
the education Of idiots and feeble minded
children, as the only class now unprovid-
ed for: we ask you to investigate their
claim to these privileges, and if you find,
al class, they are susceptible of develop
N int and improvement by appropriate
training and instruction, you will do Gre
dit to yourselves and the state you repre-
sent, by providing special education ii
facilities, adapted to their wants, as has
been provided by YOUR predecessors, in
the case of the deaf mutes and the blind.
They are entitled to it in view of their
rights, under the principles above stated,
and you should grant it to them if for
no better reason than for the protection
it affords against ignorance as source of
pauperism and crime; but whether you
complete the application or not, you can
not long delay it, for It must prevail by
force of the princi pies which underles
our civilization.
Allow us to recapitulate:
Having shown, first, from the best in
formation obtainable upon the subject
statistics based upon the thorough investi
cation In other states-that there are
about eight hundred idiots and imecile
children in our state, two hundred of whom
are under fifteen, free from epilepsy or
other diseases which would prevent their
Development in the district schools low
existing in our states, and consequently
must remain Ignorant helpless and de
graded, burdensome to their friends and
the communities in which they live, un
less some special provision is made for
their education. Second-That under
the methods of instruction and training
adopted in schools for idiots in other
states, they are greatly improved in health,
habits, morals and intelligence, and are
enabled in many instances, to support
themselves, and in many more, to contri-
butte to such support. and in al cases, by
acquiring habits of deceney, order and
propriety, the burthen of their support is
immeasurably lessoned Third-That
economy requires that this class should
be educated, showing clear saving OF
$1,000 annually to the people of the
state. Fourth-And finally, that this is
the settled policy and plain duty of the
state to afford the means of education to
all its children, and consequently, their
undoubted right to receive an education
in common with children more fortunate
We, Therefore, recommend this subject
TO your favorable consideration, and ad-
wise, if consistent with the present fnan-
cas- of the state, that some legislation be
Immediately had looking to- the establish
81 -,
SO, re are not unmindful of the fact, that
until very recently, (and We are not en-
tlrely sure that the opinion does not now
prevail to limited extent, the advocacy
OF proposition so apparently absurd
would have created a suspicion in the
public mind that we would be very prop
or subjects to receive the benefits Of such
an Substitution ourselves, or perhaps the
more enlightened and charitable would
have classed US among the insane.
But whatever opinions may have been
entertained upon this subjecs at an earlier
period in our history, your committee are
of opinion that the proposition presents
itself now, not as an Idle fancy or specu-
lation, but as proposition based on de-
nonstrable facts, one which claims atten-
lion on grounds that cannot be gainsayed.
1t claims favorable consideration on the
irresistible ground of facts drawn from
the experience of similar institutions in
other states, which have been in opera
ton a sufficient length of time to show re-
suits. 1t comes not in the garb of sup
plant, unknown and bel pless, but in the
majesty of strength, with tried weapons,
demanding with modesty that it claims
should be heard and its wants provided
for, not as charity, but ON the ground of
justice and political economy.
In conclusion allow us to say that we
havs examined his subject impartialy,
aud at first, with many mlsgivings. We
have presented such views only as the
facts will fully warrant, and yet, in our
opinion, they clearly demonstrate the du-
.ty of the state to aid in raising up and
greclaiming these poor idiots from the de-
graduation of their present condition, and
tit them, as far as may be, for the enjoy
ment of the blessings of a free government
And when we consider that no other
means are available for their Improvement,
and that under these influences they do
attain to intelligence, usefulness and man.
hood, we feel that we have presented a
claim on their behalf, which an enlight-
ened and liberal legislature will not reject.
W. W. REED, Chairman.
THE WAR CLoUD.-TLe European
Times of April II says: every day
diminishes the prospects of peace between