Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-08
Our Deaf and Dumb Institution Question.


The first institution for the education and
instruction of the deaf and dumb in this
country, was founded at Hartford. Conn. in
the spring of the year 1917. 1t was thought
then that this one Institution was sufficient to
meet the requirements of all the deaf and
dumb under school age in the land; but, as
years rolled on, it was discovered that this
unfortunate class took up a larger proportion
of the population than was at first supposed.
and consequently this one institution soon gave
rise to the establishment of several others of
the kind. Startling As it may seem. there are
at the present time forty-nine of these insti-
tuions in the country, having in attendance
during the past wear over five thousand pu-
pills, to say nothing of the large number at
tending the numerous day schools in our large
cities; and. yet. there are so many more I'M
able to gain admttance into these institutions.
by reason of their being situated at such a
distance, and in numerous cases from being
over-crOwded, that the universal crv all over
Maine, is to establish a school for the deaf
and dumb.
The census for the year 1870 developes the
lamentable fact, that there were in the State
of Maine alone three hundred and fiftv-seven
deaf mutcs. OF this number some one hun
dred and twenty might have been under
instruction, had there been suitable means
provided in their behalf; but owing to the non
existence of State institution, only fiftv-
nine were actually at school,
During the past year. thirty-eight of our
deaf and dumb children received instruction
at the Hartford Asylum: two at the Clarke
institution at Northampton Mass, and ten at
the deaf school recently started al Portland.
and the total amount paid from the State
! Treasury, for the tuition of these fifty pupils
reached the large sum of $3.50. A like
! sum has been paid each consecutive year, for
| about sixty years past, for like purposes
Now. the object of this article is to point
out few of the many advantages that would
| result both to the State and to the deaf and
dumb themselves from having an institution
| here at home of our own.
! In the first place, it would be an object of
| pride to our State. Very few are probably
aware of the many difficulties that stand in
the way of teaching the deaf and dumb
! They are class wholly aside from the
! speaking and hearing world. Being deprived
OF the sense of hearing, it is only through
the avenue of sight that their minds can he
developed. Now. to have all this done with
| in the borders of our own State, (and there
is no doubt of that without depending upon
| other States for having it done, as we are
now doing, would most certainly reflect cred
! il and honor upon its citizens.
The parents and friends of the deaf and
dumb would have a better opportunity of see
ing more of the childhood of their children,
and much might be saved on their part that
is now wasted by travelling over so much
ground in order to get their children al
school. Doubtless the chief and most impor-
tant reason why SO few of the mutes of our
State are at present at school is that. there be-
| ing no school near home adapted to their condi-
ton, there is certain unwllingness onthe part
of parents to have their children so far away
from home among strangers, and hence, they
are left in utter ignorance and darkness. and
instead of becoming intelligent producers
they are becoming burdens upon the commu
nifty.
The taxpayers would also have a better
chance for seeing the fruits of what they con
trlbuted, and of knowing as to whether the
school was under the management of goot
and competent hands. And, there is ampl,
proof of the fact. that an institution here a
home, connected with a large farm upoI
which all the home products for the subsis
tence of the pupil could be raised and wher,
all the lumber for the boys cabinet shol
could be purchased at a low price. could. OF
1.-the whole, be carried on on much chcape