The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-30
BOARD OF CHARITTHs.


Institution available for at least double tue
amount of good which has been possible in the
past. The delinquent" need not become
''criminal" by exposure TO communicating
example. The "criminal" will have less en-
couragement to inculcate his immoralities, aud
an incentive to amendment will be always be-
fore him, in the opportunity he will have
to gain the larger privileges and the nearer
freedom which the higher grades will enjoy
We believe that the closer the "class of honor
is allowed to approach personal liberty (uuder
such Judicious oversight every parent or
guardian should exercise over his child) and to
enjoy the privilege of going beyond the walls of
the Refuge, either for proper visiting or proper
work, the more will the higher sentiments of
the youth be stimulated and encouraged and
reform which is truly founded upon moral
growth, and which will be of more self
sustaining character, be effected. Although
the first sound the committed" child
not prison." the echo of that voice
is returned in the click of the key to every door
in the establishment-the play-room, the school
room, the eating-room and the sleeping-room;
repeated, as to the last, by the double lock-
Practically, therefore, it is prison to him. and
although the domestic management may be
parental, and the educational discipline such as
we accept for our own children, the ubiquitous
key and the impossible wall are equally barriers
to q sense of the possession of personal trust and
confidence, as they are to egress from the unat-
tractive premises. just so far therefore, as this
class of offenders can be trusted land we think
that ''reformatory influences" can and should be
made ettectual to create spirit of docility and
obedience) we think that care should be taken
to manifest confidence by the bestowal of such
privileges as will prove to the restrained spirit
that the road to personal freedom is becoming
more and more open for such as deserve to
pass over 1t. Constrained obedience is no
proof OF moral amendment; and the prac-
tlce OF good principles, as well as faith in
Their possession, is, as a general rule advanced
in the ratio that they help to realize the happi-
ness and fulfil the wishes of their possessors
1t would seem difficult to conduct the family"
system in the Refugees of at least the great cities
ana 1t is not our purpose TO discuss now this
subject, either on this ground or on the ground
OF comparison with that which obtains In such
extensive communities as our own. The merit
OF Judicious classification is not, in either sys-
tenn, open to dispute.
PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF
AND DUMB.
This institution is situated at the norsbwest
corner OF Pine and Broad streets, in the CITY of
Philadelphia. 1t is owned and controlled by n
corporate association. Its direction consists of
q President, Vice-President, Treasurer Secre-
tary, and twentyfour directors. The act of in
corporation bears date of February g. 1891 and
makes provision also for the education of the
INDECENT pupils of the Commonwealth for a term
not exceeding three years, at the rate of $t60
each. The present law limits the age at which
the beneficiaries may be admitted to the period
between ten and twenty years, and the term of
tuition to six years.
which was reduced in 1870 to 1925, but the
managers represent that the cost has exceeded
both these appropriations. respectively, and
claim from the State reimbursement for the
reason that appropriations are not made to the
institution, but for the education and mainte-
nance of the Commonwealth's wards, and that
no money is drawn from the public treasury
except tor the State pupils actually in the insti
tuition.
1t is interesting to note that of 40 cases of
DEAFNESS not congenital, received into the insti-
tntion SO per cent. were attributed to scarlet
fever; and of 522 cases, not congeniGal or under
the head of infancy" 957S ;per cent. occurred
under the age of seven years. The
first ''asylum for the deaf and dumb
in this country was the "Ameri-
owes its existence to Gallaudet famous Tor has
philanthropy and for his successful admlnlstra~'
ion in this particular field. 1t began It's career
April 49, 1917 with seven puPs, u ana in ali TecS New
EnplaDd On the same day that the Harttord
asylum was opened the New York institution
for the Deaf and Dumb was incorporated. Ihe
humber of pupils in the latter, in last October,
when visited by member of our board was
52O. The legislation of other States, with re-
spect to this class of benecaries, is not so rlgid
as that OF our own, which we think really mlgnt
is admitted to be equally capable, with other
children, of mental development and
improvement, and under the re-
ceiyed idea that these classes OF the Com
be placed on an equality with other children,
thew should have the opportunity of enjoying
the advantages of the institution, wnen IL might
be productive of the best results. There are
cases under 10 yeers of age, and over ~, where
the capacity and the need are lndisputaole, but
for which, under the present Legislation; there
is no relief In other States the law is flexible
in another aspect. Pupils are received lor
given term; and if, in the Judgment OF the dl-
rectors of the institution, the term OF instruction
should be prolonged two or three years. in in
dividual cases, they are empowered to extend IT,
This seems to be very judicious regulation.
THE PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTION FOR THE IN
sTRUSTIoN OF THE BLIND.
The location of this institution Is in the city
of Philadelphia. 1t is a private corporation
governed by twenty-three managers, eiecte6
annually by the corporalors. They meet monthly
for deliberation and action on the general inte
rests of the institution. Special duties, however
are assigned 10 six committees, 10 Wnom th'
principal is required TO report In writing con
cerning the condition and progress OF tn
pupils' and the financial and other affairs OF th
institution. The very precise and careful methot
of inspection and investigation pursued here
worthy of high praise, and furnishes an example
that should be followed universally.
The act of incorporation bears date Januar
81, 1884 although an organization had occurred
a year before the charter was obtained, hons
rented and pupils received for instruction. Th
first grant by the Legislature, which was contem
poraneous with the act of incorporation, al
lowed $l60 year for each INDECENT pupil oil th
State, and limited the term of instruC
ton to three years. The pc
capita allowances have been increase
in successive years. and reached the sum {
$500 in 1869, but we're reduced last year to $21j
which was inadequate for the service rendered
The present term of instruction is eight year
New Jersey and Delaware, which send the
benehciaries to this asylum, restrict the time I
FIVE years, unless the Governors think 1t jud
afnrfa to H. 1fuf1.