The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-01
Wants of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum.

The general and state governments.
in reference to public buildings, have
never learned economy. The shrewd
common sense that so often charac-
teriZes individuals in business trans
actions, is ignored when public funds
are used.
State pride and enlightened self-in-
terest suggest that the foundations of
public institutions for the unfor-
tunate be laid broad and deep, and
the structures reared upon them be
not only pleasing to the eye, but
enduring, and well adapted to the
purposes for which they are designed.
Although the practical results of hui
man benevolence are seldom attained
at once, there is no excuse for in
sufficient or make-Shift beginnings
Men appointed to locate the public
buildings should be educated, practi-
cal and philanthropic. The great de-
sideratum is a pleasant, healthy, roomy
location, with an abundant supply of
good, never-failing water. Having
formed some conception of the i'm
portance and magnitude of the work,
present and future, they should set
tie upon plan, complete in all its de-
ture be wing or the main building,
it should finally be a well-planned,
harmonious monument of beauty and
usefulness, blessing to the state and
the afflicted.
For more than one-third of centu-
ry Texas has been making provisions
for her wards. But look at the deaf
and dumb asylum, south Of
Austin, across the Colorado
river. The supply of water
tor domestic animals, for cooking and
bathing purposes, is entirely wanting
a large part of the year. The senti-
ment that cleanliness is next to godli-
ness commends itself to the common
sense of men as orthodox, but of what
avail is sentiment when the essential
requirements are wanting? The
main building has been creditably fin
ished, but the chaos of old frame
buildings in the rear are positively
shabby, and afford only the poorest
accommodations to pupils and teach
ers. One of these is used as chapel,
study-room, boys sitting-room and
play-room in bad weather; three
teachers are obliged to occupy it for
class-rooms during school hours, and
it also answers for dormitory. There
are no hospitals, 80 necessary for the
sick, especially in contagious diseases,
and the dilapidated dining-room is
taxed to its utmost capacity. The re-
cent norther occasioned much suffer-
ing among the occupants of these old
buildings. Win the parents of these
afflicted children be satisfied to pay
taxes to increase the facilities of other
institutions when those so dear to
them are neglected?
The great, wealthy state of Texas
can now, through her legislature,
remedy the evils to which reference
has been made. By a small outlay,
water may be brought in sufficient
quantity to meet present and pros
pectiVe wants. BY the additional ex-
penditure of few thousand dollars,
buildings can be erected to furnish
ample accommodations for dining
ION, hospitals, chapel, school rooms
al dormitories, thus greatly promot-
ing the credit, comfort and convent
ence of all concerned. This asylum
and her silent inmates appeal to the
generous impulses of the people, to
the fostering care of the state, and a
higher power for justice. Xxx.