The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-10
A PLEA.

a. VI ''--N =
A PLEA.
The institution fer the Deaf DUMP, aha
the Blind.
10 the Board Of VISITORS
A judicious selection OF officers Ior lnls
institution Is a matter OF such vital momen'
TO It's bene1ciaries that l venture 70 ~
dress YOU once again In their Denan'
These children come hither at the benevo-
lent call Of the State, and are allowed seven
wears in which to gain whatever dement's
the institution can confer. In this periou
most OF them must learn all that they are 10
know, in this life, OF language, and Oh pre-
ccpts OF morality and religion for. IN the
general, they are of humble parentage, ana
will not have, In after years. much time or
for self-improyement. Their
In the lack OF hearing ana
speech, are very great, and II Wouiu 0s
safe, think. TO say that an ordinary chiid
OF twelve years Of age, possessed OF all us
faculties, would learn more. under instruc-
tiop, in three years, than these little mutes
would. under the best advantages, I'D
seven. How necessary. then, IL Is Una.
every possible facility should be afforded
them: how important that the whole corps
of instructors, from the principal down,
should be thoroughly acquainted with the
work, and with all its instru-
which the sign-language IS
the chief-and that they should all labor
skilfulIy and earnestly for the mental,
moral. and religious Improvement OF these
children.
The idea has been too often acted on,
and quite commonly prevails-either from
lack OF proper information, or because OF
the binding influences OF partisan spirit
that any one OF reasonably liberal education
who can conduct an ordinary academy
is, therefore. qualified to take charge
OF this institution. | stated in my
former communication that this was
very far from the fact, aud that the
should in n prominent de.
gree be Yersed in the sign-language, ana
familiar from long experience with the
modes and peculiarities OF denf-mufe IN
struetion. But If any doubt shall exist as
to this, il can best be put at rest by the tes-
timony OF experts. l, therefore, beg to lay
before YOU the mature judgment OF emil
nent philanthropists. who have themselves
labored as teachers OF mutes and hnal'y
risen to be heads OF some of the foremost
in the United States. L shall
be as brief as possible in my quotations.
The late Or. Harvey p. Peet, who was
for nine years a teacher, and for more than
thirty years the principal OF the New York
Institution, in an article in the " Annals OF
the Deaf and Dumb" on the duties, re-
sponsibilities, and qualifications OF the
OF an institution" wrote in 1860
as follows:
First, we remark that none but an expert
enced practical teacher should be selected as Tue
head Of an Institution; Tor The a pTn of PHI
higher classes, should still he qualified To 90 so
occasionally whenever the illness or absence 81 q
teacher may make It necessary. Moreover II ne
is not practical teacher himself ne cannot Judge
of the qualifications Of HIS assistants.
" The principal should spend, when his OTTER
duties will permit, portion OF each day IN some
one of the classes. giving models Of lessons and
exercises. seeing that the course OF in-
struction is faithfully carried out, aud watching
y y The principal should possess not merely
I'm a moierat', but in an eminent degree al
the qualifications of class of deaf mutes. =
He must arrange tie clsses, prescribe or at least
sanction Ihe course of study for each. and main.
tain the discipline of tho whole school.
The religious character both or the teachers
and of the principal Is a matter Of high impor-
lance y Let him remember that his Office
is missionary Office" &C. NC.
DR.. Gillett. now and for many years
principal of the Illinois Institution, writes
as follows in the annals for October, 1870:
"The prof -ssion of dcaf-mute instruction Is one
rs distinct and independent rs anv other. lndeed
there Is no other profession of which so little re-
liable knowledge can be ga ned through books,
and which requires so lnmGa practical experience
10 master. y on the efficiency and capacity
Of the superintendent will mainly depend the sue
cess Of an institution. He shOu Il be thoroughly
nv I'M Tho methods of deal IN ate
instruction and familiar with their peculiaTitics
. There Is PROBABLY no posi- ION IN So
cey that requires greater versatility OF talents
and capabilities for the perfect inlhlment Of It's
duties, &C."
DR.. Gillett writes thus on the same sub
ject in the fall Of 1879:
"While there are other qualifications necessary
flor principal. al experimental acquaintance
Nth deaf mutcs, their pecularities and especial
IN their language, is of the utmo and indis-
pensable importance. The appointment Of per-
son TO this position without this knowledge would
be about as ridiculous rs appointing man who
could not speak tnglish 20 teach one Of our high
schools or academies. The proposition Is perfect
ly preposterous Every instance in which u has
been tried has been failure. One so deficient
may worry along for time, but sooner or LAYER
must Weld 10 the necessities of the case and give II
up. or become qualified by learning the language,
which man In mature life can never do
spriiGhtly young man can acquire II In seven
years."
DR.. L. NJ. Gallandet, president of the
National Deaf. Mute College at Washington
City, writes thus in October, 1879:
~ believe that the principal or an Institution
for the deaf and dumb mu,t fan far short of being
hit for his position IL he is without large eXperief &C
as to The methods of instruciio and If he lacks
the ability to use the stgn-language with freedom,
fullness, and Irecision. In my Judgment great
harm has been done TO the cause Of deaf-mute In
structlon In this country by the appointment In
men to he princiI ais who had had no experience
in the instruction or management of deaf-mutes."
There is nothing TO be added to such
authorities as these. They fully establish
the views have expressed, and respect
fully present them as furnishing proper
guide for your action. You have il in
your power to advance our institution to
a place among the first in our land, but il
1t shall come short in the advantages which
it offers, the children OF poor men will be
the sufferers, since the children OF the
wealthy may be sent to better schools in
other States.
My plea is ended. II have pressed my
views too persistently upon you, / must
beg you to remember that | have written
In the cause Of those who are without voice
to speak In their own behalf. Their con-
dition appeals to you with mute eloquence
to cast aside In your selection Of officers
every consideration which does not con-
fine itself to the relief Of their necessities
and the advancement Of their interests.
The humane and Christian heart OF our
people has dedicated to the use and benefit
Of these afflicted children this noble
charity; it is for you to zee that it is so
differed and so conducted as TO dispense
to them the largest blessings that they are
capable Of receiving.
JAMES III. SKINNER.
Stanton, April 5th.
A Queer Old Stick.
Elijah Clifford, who walked off the wharf
at Warren, Mass. last Sunday, and was