The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-01-10
STATE INSTITUTIONS,

STATE INSTITUTIONS,
Important Legislation Needed for the Deaf,
Dumb aud Hlind InAtitution-Intpresting
to Legislators,
TO he EdlOrOfLAs htaiGaeT.
slR:-Upon the eve, us we are, Of one
Of the most interesting and important
sessions Of the Legislature that has ever
convened in the State, it is but natural
that we should all feel deep solicitudc
and anxiety about the great concerns
that challenge its attention.
TO the great majority Of the people,
doubtless, tho political problems have
the largest Significance, For the calm,
dispassionate and u%nprejudiced deter
mination of these the body should rise
to the dignity OF positive craftsmanship,
a rather sublime flight for the average
politician; but neither more nor less Is
expected Of the members Of the present
Legislature by their constituents.
There Is also the educational problem,
a matter OF supreme importance to many
OF our people. Shall the present genera
ton continue to burden itself with the
augmentation OF the irreduGible school
fund? or shall that fund find permanent
and safe Investment in every county OF
the State, In suitable buildings, and the
sums that go annually to its augmeuta-
ton, be diverted into the channel OF
partly supporting schools Of academic
grade, while the rest OF the necessary
funds are raised by the counties or
otherwise2
Atpresent the private academies have
become extinct. Their places should
be supplied by IN element OF our public
school system. The intermediate school
Is as the missing link in the chain, with
out which it is necessarily imperfect;
but with which 1t will be the best sys.
TEN in the country. There are doubt.
less many points in which 1t can be i'm
proved but the growth Of the State will
naturally suggest the means, and give
us all We want for the perfection ofthe
system.
1t is not likely that any future gener-
alton Of West Virginians will be poorer
than the presents. and II Is not good
policy to make this poor one minister
to the richer ones to come. They will
be able to provide for their schools bet.
ter than we can, and will not fail to
thank us for such uss OF means already
accumulated, US will promote the best
interests Of the whole State.
Constitutional amendments are un-
popular, judging from the late election,
but It is probable that our people would
be very willing so to amend the consti-
tuition as to make some such permanent
and safe disposition OF the "lrreducible
School Fund" us the n above indi.
Gated, Or some other one. 1t Is high
time that 1t were placed out Of the reach
Of borrowers,
Among the special schools OF the
State, whose reports will be looked for
with interest, aud to whose wants, the
attention OF the Legislature will be in.
vited, is the West Virginia School for
the Deaf and Blind, located at this place.
It has been some years since the institu-
ton had u special appropriation OF any
considerable magnitude, nor, indeed,
has it needed any; but the frequent up.
pearanCe OF infectious diseases in the
n%eighborhood has made II oftho last i'm
portanCe that means shouldlbe prompt
iy provided for the issolation OF such
cases, In the event Of their appearing In
the school. An intirlnary will be asked
for, and n building for tho storage Of
winter supplies. With these additions,
the present number Of pupils can be
taken care Of, and perhaps Il considers
bic additional number.
1t Is much to DO regretted that the
humane and educational institutions
have not long since been taken out OF
politics by judicious' legislation on the
subject. IL should 30 provided by law
thatthe boardsofsuch nstitutionsshould
be constituted OF members representing
the great parties In fair proportion, that
such representation would protect the
schools from the vicissitudes Of party
supremacy.
II the Board OF Regents Of the school
here were composed Of seven members,
divided into three classes-the first class
to be composed Of three members, 10 be
appointed for two years from the 4th Of
March, 1880, the second class, OF two
members, for four years from the same
date, andthethird class, OF two members,
for six years from the sSme date, and
their successors to he appointed for six
years, with as equal representation as
possible OF both parties, 1t would go far
TO secure the uniform administration OF
the school, and doubtless increase its
usefulness.