The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-03-28
COLUMBUS CORRESPONDENCE.
COLUMBUS, O.. March %. 1871


in New Hampshire has given rise to
considerable political gossip here dur.
ing the past few days, and resolutions
have been introduced into both branches
of the Legislature of character looking
to this as an omen of Democratic SUE
cess in the year 1871; and congratula-
ting the people of this country upon
their triumph over the san Domingo
Land Grant (and may add) Butler-Ku
Kiux-Clayton-Arkan -Butler-Nebras.
ka Holden administration. 81
The Griffith bill (so called) has been
defeated in the House, This was a bill
upon which the House spent considera-
BILE time, and its provisions were to al
low counties, cities and townships to
levy taxes, issue bonds and subscribe
stock for the purpose of building rail
roads; provided, majority of the vo-
ters were in favor OF doing so. Many
regarded the bill as unconstitutional and
impracticable, and SO it sleeps
A law has been enacted requiring AS
SCISSORS to be more particular in regis
tering births and deaths; and when the
Assessor makes his return to the Pro-
bate Judge he is required to state, under
oath, that he has made diligent inquiry
of the births and deaths; and in case he
fails to make such return the Auditor is
required to withhold the order for his
pay until the proper returns are made.
A joint resolution has been adopted
inquiring into the charges of the inmates
of the Blind Asylum. against the Off
GERS Of that Institution, that they are
improperly cared for. The Committee
have made some investigation, but have
not yet reached any conclusion.
The Committee on Geological Survey
have the difficulties Of that Board under
consideration; but it is not yet develop
ed whether the complaints against some
of the members Of the Board are true
oil not. 1t seems that Mr.. Andrews.
whose field of labor in the Board is in
Southeastern Ohio, is exonerated from
any complaint. sisfi9.'a
The city of Cincinnati very foolishly
invited the Legislature to partake of the
hospitalities of that city, and the Leg
islature has very foolishly accepted the
Invitation, and designated March "a as
the day they will go The people will
say, and justly too, they had better go
home Cincinnati consumes enough of
the business Of the Legislature, to regu-
late and keep her growing interests and
demands in the proper channel without
a visit and consequently the loss of a
day to pay that visit.
The Senate not being in session Mon
day forenoon, ] visited the Idiotic Asy
lum il, the morning. This building is
situated three miles West of Columbus
near Camp Chase; q presume some ol
your readers recollect that place.) II
now has 200 inmates under instruction
Some of your readers will say with sur
prise, What! instruct idiots? Itcll yor
| the place is improperly named, ane
should you go there youswould soor
| find it so. Itshould be calledla schoo
for imbecile youth. True these children
before they come here, are regarded Al
idiots and would always remain so bu
for this INSTITUTION. Here they arr
brought under system of training tina
makes many of them self-sustalnins
who would otherwise spend all thei
Lives as dark void, without sense and .
source of trouble and care to thei
4 friends, or paupers in the Infirmaries,ex
posed to the torture of wiser but no
better persons.
But you ask, How do they teach idi
ots9 Can they read? Can they work
They have certainly learned here to; ds
j both! The way it is done is to first ge
1 them at something that will divert th
attention. Various methods are em
ployed to accomplish this. They are re
j quired and assisted to string buttons.pil
up little blocks Of wood, deposit differ
1 ent colored balls in colored cups, pu
1 colored pegs in colored rings of th'
same color on boards, use cards wit
the names Of familiar objects printed OF
them, singing, dancing, go through wit
/ gymnastics and various other perform
ances; in fact anything that will diree
the attention.
i When the attention is once under cor
ltrol, or even partial control, what littl
spark of mind there is in these childre
l begins to grow and develop, and then b
1 proper physical attention. and exercis
all muscles and organs of the body ar
developed and made to be used and grol
with the expanding mind. The reading
j writing and compositioniwriting of man
of these children is far. The DRAWN
of some is fine, and in their dancing an
gymnastic exercise you would hardly bt
lieve you were looking on that. class 9
j humanity. Of course, in cases wher
there is mo mind at all this lnstitutio
can accomplish nothing; but there al
very few cases that are not susceptible
j of Improvement. ia
i The expenses of the Institution
about $3.50 year for each pupil. A,
i New Hampshire at the Whit
l0use.
i The news from New Hampshire or.
ated CONSERVATION at the President;
mansion yesterday morning. It seen
J ed as though the hour had come, S
J graphically described by the historic
! Of France, who says that "when th
morning. sun arose there was no kin
in France" His Excellency the Pres
dent, who sleeps very soundly, was Y
J bright and early, and the discouragin
intelligence settled like a blight upo
1 his spirits. Strange as it may seem,