Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-10-14
(From the Petersburg Index.
Tlse hesitation for iEle Deaf and
Dumb and the Blind.

Il ErQm the PETERSBURG luueA.
Tlae institution for The Deaf anta|
Dumb and the Blind.
Our readers will recollect the publication
] in the INDEX during last spring of several
ARTICLES urging an investigation into the
management of the Institution for the Deal
! and Dumb and the Blind of Virginia.
Charges had been made by responsible
parties as to the former conduct OF that
charity and it was deemed subject well
worthy Of public attention.
Z On the 10Th Of June last at a regular
meeting Of the Board of Visitors Of the In
3stitution the articles above referred to were
drought to the notice Of the Board, and
5thereupon, resolutions were passed by that
abody inviting an investigation and offering
ito afford full facilities for it, The Board
aresolved to meet in a called session in the
apresent month the more thoroughly to ex.
anime into the condition of tho Institution,
I and invited one of the editors Of this paper
Ito attend and aid in ascertaining the facts.
4 That called session was held on the 2lst
nst., and in accordance with the invitation
stendered him, one Of the editors Of the INDEX,
5who is familiar with the sign language and
deeply interested in the matter of the edu-
cation and we'll being of the deaf mutes, at
tended and made it his business to examine
Thoroughly into the conduct of the Institu
ation, and the condition Of its inmates both
Jas to the means of education and as to per-
:ssonal comfort.
D In pursuit of this object, conversation was
sahad with various pupils, as well as with the
teachers, the books, the mode Of teaching
z]the character Of the discipline, and, as far
Gas might be, the progress made were OBJ
served, and personal inspection was made Of
s.dormitories, tables, play grounds, work
shops, &c. Inquiries were made also as to
sexr enditures and receipts.
1: The charges, it will be remembered re-
s5ferred 10 period in the rast, since which
time more or less OF change in management
zsand the personal Of instructors may have
occurred.
q Be that as it may, it gives us great plea
3 sure to give the utmost publicity in our
power to the result Of the investigation above
ERECTED.
q That result was, in brief, such as TO re-
3adound to the honor Of the Institution, and to
those in whose charge it is
D The pupils are well cared for, comfortable.
zacontented and we'll guided. The system OF
q teaching is that which has been proved by
aexperience to be the best adapted to the deal
u mutes, and the progress made by the pupils
asis creditable.
8 Finally, as to expenses: It was found
that the average per capita amount expsnd-
led by the Institution for the maintenance
q and education Of its pupils was but little in
d excess of that incurred at the large schools
saof the North-the excess being accounted
@.for by the different relative value of money
81 The public will doubtless receive witt
pleasure the assurance that their charity ii
sawell bestowed.
s. But there still remains one grievous cause
#aof dissatisfaction with the Institution. 1t i
aconfessed alike by the teachers and tn
Board Of Visitors. It is tho want of tina
higher class education which is bestowed
isupon the deaf mutes in the schools at tn
81 North after they have gone through thei
/ Iordinary scholastic course.
81 The Principal Of the Institution is nov
4 making efforts to establish such class, bu
those efforts are hampered by want of means
Our Legislature must determine whethe
ito aid those efforts.
81 Certain it is, that while every exertiol
seems to be made by the Institution for it
pupils, and while SO far as their education
goes it is good, yet without that higher clas
Hlof instruction they halt far behind the stan
lizard of proficiency attained in other school
Ia and Just so far are the deaf mutes Of Virgin
Eaaia debarred from advantages offered to then
jim New York, Connecticut, Missouri, Indi
llama and many other States.
q This subject, however, should receiv
more attention than our present space viii
ALLOW. We shall return to it hereafter, am
1--WE hope that means may be found of SO en-
Hlarging the scope of the Institution as to alloy
.sssit to bestow upon its pupils an extent Of in
#sstruction equal to that to be obtained in an
community.
S The best guaranty that such further ex
tent could be attained by it, were the mean
81 forded, is given by the efficiency to whicl
Dit now attains, and to which it gives u
pleasure to testify.