Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-11-03


from the fact that small number of pu.
pills is sent to this asylum from this state,
for the maintenance of whom an appropri-
ation is annually made by the Legislature.
| Vermont has at present sixteen pupils in
this asylum. The annual expense of sup
porting and educating each one is about
$500, of which sum the state pays Sl75, the
balance being supplied from the endowment
fund. We apprehend that there is some
misconception among the people of the
state, and very possibly among some Of the
members of the legislature, as TO the pur-
pose of this institution and the principles
| upon which state aid is extended to it. The
wide difference between youth in the full
possession of all his senses and faculties and
one of these beings TO whom nature has de-
MED the sense of hearing and the power of
speech, suggests as wide difference in the
plan or system upon which their education
must proceed. The ordinary methods and
appliances are as inapplicable or useless as
sunlight to the sightless eyeballs of the
blind. Provdentially, their number is small
and it is therefore impracticable for the
state to provide the special means required
for their instruction. The state provides
free schools for all its school children, but
the ordinary public schools are not adapted
to the peculiar physical defect of certain
classes of their choolchildren-some are
blind, some are deaf and dumb. Our gov
eminent is for all the people, and one of its
noblest characteristics is its special care for
the unfortunate members of society. 1t
cannot with even justice provide literally
for the education of those whom nature has
endowed with every sense and faculty, and
refuse to make suitable provision for those
whose sight or hearing, or powers of speech,
is destroyed. In contributing to the edu-
cation of these children the state is merely
giving them the equivalent of what it lib
orally provides for their more fortunate
brothers and sisters-not bestowing a char
ity. 1t is right that belongs to them, and
which so far as we are aware has been freely
and cheerfully conceded them by our legis-
lature for more than half century, and
which will be one of the last rights that
should suffer an abridgement. A generous
and enlightened humanity should rather
seek to convert this bare right into bounty.
The practical results of the instruction given
at this asylum justify wise liberality, on
other than equitable or humane consider
ationr A onnd comp,ap oobool aJ,oo,;o,
is given its inmates. They are employed at
mechanical labor a portion of each day.
They are taught shoe-making, cabinet-mak-
ing and tailoring and qualified for useful
and self-sustaining avocations. They make
good workmen at the above trades, and good
book-keepers. One of the graduates of the
institution has long held position in one
of the departments at Washington, at high
salary. In factories, or in any place where
quickness of eye-sight and apprehension or
manipulation is required, they are invalu
able employees, as their attention is not dis
tracted by conversation. At marble-cutting,
and in clock-work especially, they excel by
reason of their exceptional acuteness of
vision, and instances are cited where at
these trades deaf mutes are earning lucra
tive wages, Provided the money is hon
estly and judiciously expended, of which
there is no reason to doubt, the Legislature
will do well to treat this class of our fellow
beings with wise lberalty. Means ample
for the education of every deaf mute in the
state should be provided. Whatever is not
required will not be called for, but if more
of these unfortunates are applicants than
funds have been appropriated to provide for,
they must wait, or depend on private char
ity, if they lack the means to pay their own
expenses. Doubtless there are many deaf
and dumb in the state to whom this school
would be blessing and a privilege, but
whose parents or guardians lack knowledge
or information, either respecting the school
itself or its true character. Our representa-
tives, and all interested, owe a duty to such,
and should look them up and put them in
the way of enjoying the advantages provided
for them. The exhibition in the represent.
atives' hall, Wednesday, shows what can
be done for these children, and we feel as
sured that when the matter of appropriating
money for their education comes up, the leg.
islature will act both wisely and generously.