The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-02-02

Importance is beginning to take tangible
shape Last Friday Capt. T. S. Doyle, OF
Staunton: Mr.. Wait, of New York; Mr.
Morrison, of Maryland. and DR.. Anagnos
of Pennsylvania. committee represent
ing the National Association of Educators
of the Blind, called at the Capitol and had
an informal hearing before the educational
committee. They presented to Mr.. Chand-
Ter, the able chairman of The committee,
a bill providing for the appropriation by
| Congress of an amount sufficient to yield
an annual income of $50 900. This annu-
| ity is to be distributed to the various blind
institutions Of the nation in proportion to
to be held in trust ard to be used only for
the higher education of such pupils as
evidence the possession of unusual talent
and desire to prosecute their studies be-
yond the curriculum of the State institu-
tion. Mr.. Wait, in presenting his argu-
ment in support of the measure, cited a
number of instances in which persons en-
tirely deprived of sight had attained to
great distinction in mathematics, in law,
in logic and o'her higher branches of
learning. Without this aiG, the blind
have no chance to enter professional call
ings and attain to the full development of
the talents with which many of them are
endowed. The National Asylum for deaf
,,fo loo fIa foc of hof
class to reach beyond the narrow limits of
the State Schools and opens an avenue to
usefulness and distinction. 1t is designed
by this measure to secure to the blind cor
responding advantages. Capt. Doyle and
his co.workers are earnestly interested in
the subject and doing everything that can
be done to secure the benefits which the
passage of the bill would confer upon
those into whose lives so little of sunshine
falls.
Messrs. Letcher and Pendleton, of Lex
ingtOn. were in the city last week to ascer-
tain if an instructor from West Point
could not be detailed for service at the
Virginia Military Institute. Under the
present law forty graduates of the U. S.
Military Academy are detailed to various
military schools in the States. The de-
mand for their services has been so great
that the entire quota has been exhausted
and number of schools yet remain unsup-
piled. A bill is now before Congress to
increase the number to SO. Should it pass
the Institutes appointment will be one of
the first made,
A. M, Bowman, Esq, so we'll remem-
bered in Augusta, has been here for some
days, and has appeared several times be-
fore the committee in behalf of the pleuro-
pneumonia bill. He feels greatly encour-
bill will become law. Not only are the
cattle dealers deeply interested in the
measure, but the people of all sections and
all callings would likewise be benefited
by it.
d. Shelley Lewis, ESQ.,, of that able and
sterling Republican journal, the Spirit of
the Valley, was called here last Thursday
upon telegram announcing the serious
illness of his father, Hon. Jno F. Lewis.
The Senator was considerably affected by
the surgical operation recently performed,
but he has been gradually improving. and
his friends indulge the hope that his re-
coyery will be complete and not long de-
ferred.
Among the measures of local interest
presented in Congress during the past week
by the Representative of the 10th District.
were: Resolutions Of the people of Taze-
well and of the people of Wythe protesting
against removal of the duty on coal and
coke, and asking hearing before the
Ways and Means Committee: petitions
from Citizens of New Hope. Augusta
county; Midway, Appomattox county;
Allegheny Station and Savannah. Allie
ghany county, asking increased compensa-
tion to 4th class postmasters. Also papers
in the claims OF Z. F. Calbreath, Jno.
Engleman, Jacob Slower. w. T. Fauber,
w. u. Hemp. Peter Ellinger, Jacob b.
Carwell, and Michael Carwell.