The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-01
IFOr the Dispntcb.J
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb
aud the Blind.
"a "a Board 81 FiSitOrS

To the Board OF PtSttOTS:
In addressing you with reference to the
interests of the Institution for the Deaf
and Dumb and the Blind, whose govern
ment has recently been repOSed In your
hands, beg that you will not consider me
presumptuOuS, since have had much eX-
perience in It's affairs and peculiar OppOr-
tunities OF learning what qualifications in
its officers are essential to its efficient man.
agement. In support OF this claim let me
say that for fifteen years ! was member
OF its Board, and for large part OF this
time its president. That | should feel
deeply interested in It's welfare you will
perceive is very natural when inform you
that throughout my life have been dOmes-
Treated with deaf-mute relatives, one OF
whom was educated in it. Hence it is that
| have become well acquainted with the
processes Of deaf-mute education and that
feel irreSistibly impelled to do anything
and everything that | properly can TO pro-
mote the prosperity OF this institution.
| have no one in mind whose appointment
to Office am disposed to press upon YOU.
| am quite content to leave such matters to
YOU, 10 whose judgment they have been
entrusted, only craving permission to state
very briefly the considerations which, /
humbly submit, should determine your
action.
The success of the institution, ITS pros
perity in all its departments, depends
upon Il wise choice in filing the Office OF
principal. lie should, of course, be a
man OF high character, OF good business
qualifications, and who has had the adyan-
tage OF liberal education. | do not dwell
on these points because they are obvious,
and because were this all it would be very
easy to find many men well fitted for this
office; but this Is very far from all. The
institution Is for the education OF deal
Imutes. Now for their education. under
the system which has always prevailed
here, and in all the foremost institutions
o. this kind in our country, thorough
knowledge and ready use Of the sign Ian.
guagc is indispensable. This language car
only be acquired by years OF patient study
, and practice, and to be Skilful in it ont
should have used il for many years in the
capacity OF teacher. No one is qualified
! therefore, 10 be the principal OF an institu
ton for deaf mutes who has not previously
= had long experience rs teacher OF deai
| muteS, for the principal OF the institution
, ! is its educational head. He must be pre-
pared to instruct, if necessary, the teach.
ers themselves. He must be able TO classify
the pupils according 10 their attainment.
: and intelligence. Hemust visit frequently
and regularly the classes to see whether
the teachers are properly teaching, and thu
pupils diligently learning; yet none o.
these things can he do unless he is himself
a master Of the Sign-ldn9ila9e. without
this knowledge on the part OF the principa
his most important duties must 20 undis
charged, his Office becomes almost sin
ecure, and the unfortunate pupils fol
whose benefit the institution was founded
and for whose education the people IL
their bcnevOlence submit TO be taxed, ar,
deprived. in large part, OF the principa
] blessing which they leave their homes {,
{ secure. To take, In this manner, tn
children's bread and TO give il t.
incompetents, when competent met
could be found, is TO perpetrate, it seem
TO me, great wrong against humanity
7 But not only are the duties Of the principa
such as have already stated; he further
more stands to all the pupils, boys ant
girls, In the place OF parent. They gen
orally enter the institution at an early age
} their minds are almost blank The prn
cipal should be able 10 watch and encourag,
the first dawniDgs Of intelligence in them
to draw them TO him by thoughtful kind
nesses; 10 talk with them; 10 ascertain
their little Joys and sorrows; and gradually
TO lead them on aud on, by conversation
and lectures, until, In the end, he has In
structed them in all things profitable fol
their guidance In life. But these delicat
and important offices. and this tender rela
ton. he cannot ill, unless he is an adept Il
their languagc--the sIgn-language.
II, gentlemen, you viii only patlentl.