The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-05-27
THE STATE INSTITUTION FOB THE
BLIND.

TIE STATE INSTITUTION FOB THE
BLIND.
We call special attention to the following
energetic protest from Mr.. P. Lane, ex-Prin-
cpal of the institution for the blind in this
State, against the present control Of the insti.
tuition. 1t seems scarcely possible that the
terrible calamity by which the world and all
that is bright and beautiful within it is shut
out forever, should be turned, by schemlng
and needy politicians, into source of reve-
nue. to their impecunious selves.
The Governor should give this matter his
immediate attention, and make it his special
business to see that those peculiarly unfortu-
nate wards of the State, the INDECENT blind,
have placed over them men of large hearts,
good Judgment, and unquestioned integrity.
The political scallawag that would consent to
make money out of the wants and necessities
Of the poor blind inmates in asylum ought to
be read out of every party and spat upon by
the rest Of mankind.
Editor Of the New Orleans Bulletin:
In Louisiana for several years has
yerting public institutions to minister
10 the indispensable greed of partisan
cormorants. No institution has suffered
more from this wicked policy than the Insti-
tuition for the Instruction of the Blind.
During the Warmoth administration this in
stitution was held in the grasp of heartless
politicians, who prevented its development,
caused to disappear the appropriation for its
support, and withheld from employees and
other creditors the payment Of their just
claims. Several of these unpaid claimants
are now sorely straitened by reason of this
iniquity. Early in 1873 was made known to
m influential citizen the wrongs and woes
which the institution had suffered. He at
ence undertook the work of relief. Through
his efforts the institution was placed in charge
of Board of Trustees, consisting of worthy
and intelligent men.
No sooner was it known that public in
stitution had been entrusted to intelligence
and worth than ignorance and greed uttered
the cry of anguish, and muttered the male
dictions of wrath. Certain politicians met
in caucus on street corners and in bar-rooms,
and resolved that this invasion of the right
10 plumber must be resisted. Accordingly
the appointing power was assailed by clamor-
Gus partisan demands and some change of
trusteeshp was effected. Notwithstanding
these changes, intelligence and integrity were
still dominant in the board. The board thus
constituted controlled the institution for two
years. During this period it was developed
in all its departments, and all its affairs were
honestly, economically and judiciously admin
istered.
Intellectual cultivation and moral rectitude
thus guiding public institution stood out in
painful and reproachful contrast to the ig-
porance and unfitness which controlled some
other public interests. To o man claiming
to represent Baton Rouge in the Legislature,
intelligence and worth in such relation
seemed an intoleracle nuisance, and must be
abated. In March last, this alleged Repre-
sentative effected the displacement of the
board just mentioned, and procured the ap-
men incompetent to direct an educatlo nal
institution. OF the personal character of
these appointees l say nothing; in their re-
suective spheres they are doubtless worthy
MN.
The directors of an educational institution
ouoht to be men of full intellectual culture, of
high moral character, capable of correctly es-
timating individual peculiarities and of rightly
eo-ordinating social phenomena, familiar with
the methods and results of educational exper-
iments, and in this instance able to specialize
the deductions of experience 80 as to success
fully apply them to the training of q defective
class Now, all acquainted with these March
appontees assert their lack Of these qualifca-
lions, nor do the men themselves claim to
possess them. Now to assume their fitness
Tor the trust with which they have been
charged is unjust to them, and to thrust them
into positions for which they are not compe-
tent is wrong to the community. Justice
requires the statement that the Hon. ). h.
Burch has made earnest efforts to relieve the
institution from the evil SO wantonly inflicted.
= -. L. voA "a q n fuo q n
Of board lin the main) consisting OF fair
men, some of whom are men Of elevated
character and high intelligence. For reasons
which they deem sufficient, these latest ap-
pointees have not yet assumed to act as
trustees The institution is, therefore yet
burdened by the men appointed in March.
The blighting influence of this appoint
ment has already told upon the institution.
1t is almost wholly disorganized, most of its
pupils who have homes have left it, and most
Of the remainder would escape from it could
they find refuge elsewhere. l do not COM
plain of my displacement by these men from
the position of principal Of the institution.
nor will mention the wrong they have done
me by Withholding the amount due me for
salary, and for cash advanced in serving the
J stitution.
Concerning the merely personal. silence
may be permissible: but when public inter-
est is crushed, when the rights ana necessl-
ties of misfortune are made the objects of
ruthless mockery, and when the abomina-
ton of desolation stands in the holy place of
. peoples benefcence and jeers at their
neutrality-suspicious. silence is treason to duty.
I will, therefore, present this subject in every
paper in the State which will permit it; will
pass beyond the limits of the State and seek
admission into every leading journal from
Boston to New Orleans, from Charleston to
San Francisco.
This cruelty, without example in the annals
Of barbarity, shall be held up to public