The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-11-03
HOW THE CAPITAL CITY Is DAM
AGED.

TlalueY, the most eI1cenJ ana worthy
superintendent of the Blind Asylum,
representative of the STATESMAN
looked through every nook and cor
ner and crevice of what begins now
to assume the proportions of q man,
moth state institution. The site
where the blind asylum stands is
one of the many charming localities
to be met with about the capital
city, and none probably are more
appropriate for such an institution
than the veritable spot where this
great charitable establishment
stands. From the windows of the
buildings are seen in all their glory
the grand range of hills
through which the Colorado
river breaks from the northward,
and spread out in full view is the
majestic little city of a hundred
hills, with its spires and its domes
and its handsome private buildings,
all cut in sharp outlines against the
evergreen hills toward the north
and west. While one contemplates
the beauty of these scenes, drink
ing in natures lavish display of
loneliness, the soul suddenly re-
coils from splendid nature to con-
template humanity in one of its
saddest garbs. About you are a
hundred human beings, deprived of
that very faculty which has just
given so much delight. The bright
November sun shines in beaute-
GUS rays upon these ever
green hills, but to the eyes of these
unfortunates there is no ray of light
to impress these images upon their
brains. These dull orbs reflect no
shadows, finding thrilling impress
upon the soul. They are vacant,
expressionless, dead. in the midst
of all that is bright and
beautiful and sublime. Yet these
hundred inmates of this institution
constitute one of the happiest fami-
lies in all the land. The merry voice
and the musical laugh is heard on
all sides, and joyous and contented
parties of blind girls and boys play
about the lawn or promenade the
verandas, or seek with delight the
knowledge acquired from kind
teachers in the school rooms; hap
pier probably than those mortals,
who, along with viewing natures
beauties, watch with keenest eye
the daily life of toiling, turbulent
men.
The state blind asylum has grown,
especially under its present manage
ment, to be an institution of much
credit to the state. The scholastic
attendance has greatly increased,
and there has been growing de-
mand for more accommoda-
ton. The last legislature. made
an appropriation of $685.
600 to meet this demand,
and contract was closed with
builders for 1922, 900 to make the re-
quired improvements These new
works are vast in their proportions,
and on surveying them the wonder
consumes ones mind as to how
$4,000 could pay for such vast con-
struction. OF course the work
is not done in the more expensive
styles, for the managers of the asy-
lum wanted space, and not beauty.
They wanted what would make
a set of unfortunate children
most contented and healthtul,
and it does appear that these
requisites have been gained. There
are no expensive outer walls, nor
are the inner walls finished with
that elegance that would require a
lavish expense of money. The
buildings are spacious and neat, and
the system of ventilation is perfect
Everywhere there is an air passage :,
and free circulation of air finds its
way into every part of the structure,
and it does look as though admira-
BILE provision has thereby been
made for comfort during the
most heated terms in all the sleeping
apartments and other rooms and
halls of the institution. The appli-
cation of the building appears TO be
admirable, but a great noise has
been floating about, concerning false
fulfillment of contract and about the
weakness of walls, and il has been
awfully swindled, and that the work
is worthless. The board of trustees
met, and, in advance of their meet
ing, asked that charges be prefer
red, but either no charge could be
substantiated, or somebody was not
bold enough to make them. We
know nothing about the contract,
nor do we know anything of its
proper or improper fulfillment, but
we do know that the state has
most excellent building for its pur-
poses, and that it has probably cost
the contractors as much money
as, they receive for it. 1t
looks that way to the
newspaper representative and to
many other people, and if the build
ing be not as it should be the man
who knows otherwise is acting
criminally by not giving the state
at once the benefit of his
superior knowledge. But it was
not so much the fulfillment
of contract TO which we desired to
direct attention. 1t was to the mis-
cradle spirit OF prejudice existing
among contractors at the capital
No sooner does one get a contract
than another begins the cry of fraud.
The fact is disgrace to
Austin, and a damage to the Capt.
tai City, for it continually gives
color to the belief that Austin is
full of corrupt rings, when nothing
is more false.
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