Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-18

to the readers of The DIsPAT CHI the result
OF his experience of several years residence
In that institution.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DIsPATCH,l
BRADDocK, March 1.-THE Pennsylva-
MA institution for the instruction of the
Blind, in Philadelphia, is the oldest con-
cern OF the kind in this country, having
been established in 1888. This fact is sig
nlncant, at present, as the management of
the institution is being investigated by the
state authorities. 1 was not surprised in
the least, t,upon noticing through the columns
of THE DISPATCH, that at last the doings
OF the institution were to be looked into,
and many features that have characterized
1t Tor years were to be exposed.
During the seven years that was pupil.
many things that were Objectionable to the
pupils were denounced, and meetings were
held by them to bring it before the notice of
the newspapers. But in many instances
their efforts were frustrated by the authori-
ties interfering and the evils being tenn
porarily remedied. The bill of fare consti-
tuted one of the grounds for clicking" the
the same food as the teachers. But they
never received it. The teachers are of two
kinds: Those who are blind and those who
can see. The food that was served to the see
Ing teachers would compare favorably with
that furnished in any frst-class hotel, but
that which was cooked for the blind
teachers, was quite inferior, both in quality
and variety.
FOOD UNFIT TO EAT.
The pupils received even worse than the
servants, as they all eat in separate dining
rooms. The routine of dining exists to-day,
except that the food Of the pupils, in their
own language, was "rotten and tough!" The
discipline during the late principals term,
Mr.. William Chaplin, who was STYLED
Father of the Blind for his long and
active service in the work. was not severe,
but occasionally the subordinate officers
would resort to some mean and coEtemptible
act, that would be considered by reasonably
minded people as tyrannical.
When Mr.. Frank Battles, the present
principal, took entire charge of the affairs
of the institution, many changes took place
in the discipline. New and outlandish
rules were established and carried into eff
feet. For instance: If a boy was caught
chewing tobacco or smoking, he
was sent home for one month,
or suspended indefinitely. All the
time, the State was paving
for his education, and tine concern was reap
ing extra profits upon his absence. Six
years agoa number of pupils who became
disgusted with many of Mr.. Battles new
ideas of interpreting what the pupils were
entitled TO, and what tie State paid for, had
bill formulated setting forth their grlev-
ances Introduced into the Legislature, but
the document tuoo 1iIIad hafo,o -
came before that honorable BODY, for Prin-
cipal Battles went to Harrisburg and to-
gether with a number of Philadelphia men,
bers, had it squashed. The persons, some
of whom were graduates, who were instru-
mental in introducing the bill, were forbid
den admittance into the Institution by offi-
GERS.
TROUBLE IN THE SCHOOL.
Three weeks ago while in Philadelphis,
visited the institution and found there
was great deal of dissatisfaction existing
among the pupils and teachers. The former
were loud in denouncing the food and many
rules that were enforced. A lady teacher in
formed me that the scholars food was really
at times unfit to be used. She also stated
that there was a great deal of contention
among the teachers. Right after the report
was issued for the year 1889, by Principal
Battles, paper was tackled upon his
door, calling him "liar," and
calling his attention to the miserable state
OF things. The paper was put there by
pupils, and strenuous efforts were put forth
by the principal to discover the persons who
had the moral courage to rebel for Justice
and their rights. But he was unsuccessful.
Some of the officers are not friends of the
blind. One OF them recently had two blind
men sent to the almshouse who were play
al
Philadelphia. He had them locked up for
begging; but how many hundred seeing
people ask aims daily in the same city
that are unmolested? In both instances
they were married men. who had families,
and were endeavoring to support them. In
one case, a daughter of one of the men asked
for her fathers release, but the officer re-
fused to give her any information concern
ing him. She had to go home in horrible
state of mind. 1t is well-kncwn fact that
blind teachers were formerly employed in
the institution. But now, as the vacancies
of those teachers occur, they are filled by
those who can see. Not on account of capa-
bility, but because the officers have relatives
for whom they desire positions.
CHARGES OF NEPoTIsM.
The most lucrative situations of the in
stitution at present are filled either by rela-
The salaries of the officers and teachers
range from 500 to $500 per year and
board. The blind teachers, who teach ele-
mentary and intermediate grades, receive
S1OO per year and board, while teachers who
can see, who do precisely the same work, re-
ce1ve for their compensation $3.50 more, or
$3.50. This kind of thing should be stopped,
and the Charity Commission of the State
should thoroughly investigate the crooked
ness and evils existing at the institution.
The board should also look after the
Blind Mans Home, so called. In reality it
is a place where they are obliged to work
from morning to night for small wages. The
State also pays $500 per year to teach pupils
broom-making and cane-seating.
If the investigation now being made Is
thoroughly and properly conducted, it will
reveal facts that will surprise even those who
know much of the evil-doings at the school.