The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-02-15
COLUMBUS CORRESPONDENCE
COLUMBUS, ONO, February 7

COLUMBUS, ONO, February Z.
EDs. SPIRIT: If the great State Of
Ohio has anything to be proud Of il is
evidently to be found in her public insti-
tutions for the amelioration of the sad
condition of her most unfortunate citi-
zens. / have read the reports of these
institutions regularly for several years,
yet had a very faint and imperfect knowl-
edge of their magnitude, importance and
power. Any person desiring to have
any kind of perfect knowledge of these
institutions can only obtain the same by
personal inspection. The other day l
visited several institutions of the State
in Columbus, and had some means of
seeing the workings and benefits of these
charities.
The Deaf and Dumb Asylum is sitda-
ted in the Eastern part of the city. It
is large and commodious building, and
perhaps the finest tuilding in the State.
We enter this institution from Town
street, the main entrance, and passing
through the reception room we come to
the library room, which contains various
volumes of excellent books that seem to
have been well selected with reference to
the capacity of the pupils-or in fact
for children in any situation in life
, Every Saturday afternoon the pupils
congregate in this. room, and eagerly
look through and read the books. Like
other children of the same age, some
prefer picture books, while others prefer
reading. 1t was pleasant view for me
to look at these children ,conversine
about the pictures. Passing from this
room we entered the cabinet, which con-
tains large collection of fossils, mine
rails and other curiosities, among other
things miniature steam engine, perfect
in all its parts 1t was constructed by
youth deaf and dumb-named Ell
bridge, of Salem, Ohio, graduate OF
this institution. This engine is fifteen
inches in length and works perfectly
The engine would be credit to any me
chanic, and proves that at least some oi
these mutes can be highly educated in
the arts.
We next come to the study, which is
well supplied with light from large win
dows and range of gas burners, over
the long rows of desks. This room i:
plainly and neatly seated with conven
lent desks. The dining hall is perfect il
point of neatness and cleanliness. The
hall is capable Of seating four hundred
persons at the tables at once 1t has +:
sweet smell, without grease, smoke or any
bad odor The children are seated a
the taoles together, the boys on one sid'
and the girls on the other. Bringing
them thus in contact with each other ha.
improved the conduct and manners o
both. as all now pride themselves in be
ing neat, cleanly and respectable. The,
wait upon each other, and this they dc
with pleasure and promptness; the girl
serving the tea and coffee, and the boy
passing around the bread, meat, &c. N
servants are allowed in the dining room
during the meals. The neatncss an,
Icleanliness of this hall is superior to an.
first class hotel I,have ever seen. Th
kitchen is as near perfect as possible il
order and neatness. The cooking of a
the provisions requiring boiling is don
in large clean vessels by steam, which
let ON by means Of pipes from the walls
The vessel for roasting meats is situate
under an inverted funnel, and as the mes
| is roasted the smoke is conveyed by thi
funnel to fue and carried off Th
same care is exhibited In the other de
par!ments of cooking, so that the room
and halls have none Of that offensiv
smell so common in hotels. So conyt
nient are these arrangements that tw
women do all the cooking for the inst
: tuition, in which there is 275 persons
! Near the kitchen is the grocery, stor
room and meat house. The laundry
in the engine house, and the washin
and ironing are done by machinery. Th
sleeping rooms are well ventilated, CON
Portable and in proper order. 1t seem
to me it would he better to divide thes
large sleeping halls into smaller apart
ments.
Each school-room has competen
teacher, and the scholars are graded az
cording to their proficiency. All tn
. branches of common school educatio
are taught, together with some of th
J higher mathematics and natural science
Seven years constitutes the usual cours
of study at this institution, at the end G
: which, if scholars are attentive and act
i've, they are qualified for book keeper
and many of the mechanical branches
: industry. Their minds become we
TRAINED and fully impressed with mors
and religious principles. The hospit'
is well arranged, off by itself, and has a
the necessary conycnienccs for comfol
and care for the sick. Tne chapel is
! large room capable of accommodatin
all the inmates, and every Sabbath tn
children are gathered here for moral an
religious instruction; the topics Of th
ctservicc are written on large revolvin
states and the Superintendent explains
| or talks, as he said, to the children th
subject in full. This is done by sign: