The Osceola times., 1886-08-14

cumstances hear the institution call.
ed "the Blind Asylum" and sup
posing it to be sort of house,
decline to send their children. Some
are kcpt away by the reluctance OF
parents to part with their children
and to commit them to the care of
strangers, and ] am sorry to say, that
in some instances they are kept away
for want of willingness or ability OF
parents to pay their way to the IN.
stitutlon. a father of two blind chill.
dron informed me by letter that he
was not able to send his children.
in some instances have paid the rail,
road fare myself,
1t is very desirable that the super
intendcnt OF the school should have
the name, age, sex, color and post-
Office of every blind person in the
state, including all children blind to
such an extent as not to be educated
in the common schools. With the
hope of obtaining such information
of our blind under 30 years Of age,
] visited the Office Of the state super.
intendeut of public instruction. You
may imagine my astonishment, when
before ! had reached half way the
list OF counties, my disappointment
was so great that ! desisted, Only
one name was given aud that from
county where to my certsin knowl-
edge, there are four or five blind
children. Just who is to blame for
this negligence ! cannot say, but !
do know that the pro rata apportion-
ment to ,he several counties Of the
revenues available for school pur,
poses is diminished just in proper
ton as tbess children are overlook
ed. In view of increasing the ap-
portiunment of the school districts,
as well as putting the blind children
in the way to be greatly benefited,
and IN compliance with the law
touching this duty, will county ex-
aminers and school directors please
give attention to the matter. The
time for taking the enumeration of
the school districts is in the near fu-
ture, and desire especially to call
attention to sections sil9l aud G2l7
of the school law. The first named
section says that the county examin-
cr shall prepare an abstract of the
reports made by the directors of
school districts, and shall report the
number of blind under 30 years Of
age in his COUNTY, with their names
and postoilices, to the state superin-
tendent of public instruction. The
latter section says that the directors
shall annually traHsmit, verified by
their affidavit, to the county exami-
ner, a written report of the names,
ages and post"aice Of the blind in
the district, including all who are
blind to spch an extent as not to be
educated in the public schuuls. !
have neither the time nor tho money
to spend in travelling over the state
looking for these unfortunate child.
rem and trying to influence their pa.
rents and friends to send them to
school. Hundreds Of dollars have
been expended in .his interest, and
1t seems to me that if our county
judges, shcriifs, clerks, doctors and
ministers, as well as school officers,
would interest themselves in the ed.
ucation aud welfare of this most af-
f'oted and unfortunate class, great
good would be accomplished.
All blind persons between the ages
of u and 26, of sound mind and body
aud good moral character are eligi-
ble as pupils. Blind persons over
~ years of age, Of the above quail.
tications, and free from such habits
as would be injurious to the young,
may be admitted to learn the trades
taught in the institution.
The school year commences on the
first Woslnsslay in October, and
closes on the fourth "Wednesday in
June. 1t il very desirable that pu-
pills enter at or hear the compenoe-
ment of the session and remain until
it closes.
All the privileges of the school,
including tuition, board, washing
medical attention, and in case of
necessity, clothiug, are furnished
without charge.
The state employs first class oc-
culist, under whose skillful opera
tions many of our pupils have been
greatly benefited, and some restored
to sight.
Pupils are required to bring with
them certificates of citizenship from
the county judge, also one from a
physician that they are free from in
fictitious or offensive diseases, and if
arrived at an age when the charac-
ter is formed, a certificate of good
moral character, signed by two or
more responsible persons.
Application for information or adj
mission of pupils should be made to
the superintendent, who will respond
promptly to all enquiries and do all
in his power for the unfortunate
blind of our state.
I r. HARyry Suneriptendapt