Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1892-03-16
y'iralnia free gress.
W.W.B. GALLAHER, Editor.
onarlesto,cn, Jefferson County, West 70.
March 10. 1892.
Vest Virginta schooltor the Deaf a'd
The Blind.
RoMNEY. w. ". Feb. 29 lS92

kOMNEN, W. VA, GeD. ~ icJZ.
10 hs Peop'e ef Hest Iignia
For nearly twenty-five years West Vir.
ginia has been supporting school foi
the education Of the deaf and blind chill
dren of the State. Every possibls pro
vision has been made for their bodily
comfort rs we'll as intellectual and moral
Development We have corps OF com
petent and skilled teachers, comfortable
buildings, healthful climate, good med
ical attendance, and the benefits OF the
School are offered 10 all between the ages
of eight and twenty-five years without
money and without price. The School is
absolutely free as TO board and tuition,
and even the travelling expenses Of those,
whose parents or friends are unable to
defray them, are paid by the State. In
addition to this, clothing is furnished to
INDECENT pupils, and charged to the couu-
ties from which they come.
Notwithstanding all these advantages,
the lamentable fact remains, that nearly
two thirds of those who are entitled to the
privileges of the School have never avail
ed themselves of its blessings. This is
due, we think in a large measure, to lack
of information. Many parents do not
know of the existence Of such a school,
and others have no proper conception Of
its nature and purpose. There are quite
number also, through mistaken love
and sympathy for these afflicted children,
are averse TO sending them away from
home, fearing that they may not fall in
to kindly hands. Many have an idea
that it is a sort of reformatory school, a
part Of the penitentiary, where incor-
rigible boys and girls are placed under
harsh taskmasters to he trained in the
ways of wisdom and virtue. Such no.
tions can only find lodgment in the
minds of the densely ignorant. There
are still others we trust for the sake Of
humanity that their numbers are SMALL
who keep their children at home on ac-
count of the paltry profit, which may
be derived from their labor They are
willing TO dwarf their intellectual and
mora natures, if only they can convert
them into profitable beasts Of burdens
For such sordid souls, We have no word
of argument OF appeal. But for the in
formation Of all, who feel an interest in
these children, and with the desire Of
arousing their hearty cooperation in the
work. we would state, that this is strictly
an educational establishment, part Of
the Common School System Of the State
The only difference between it and the
ordinary school is, that from the nature
of the case, special methods Of instruc-
ton must be pursued. Not only are they
taught the ordinary branches Of COM
mon school education, but are instructed
in such handicrafts, as will enable them
to earn livelihood after leaving school.
The Deaf are taught printing, shoemak-
ing, til oling, carpentry and cabinet
making, while the Blind learn broom
and mattress making and cane seating.
1t can readily be seen that with the edu-
cation and manual training which we are
able to give them, they can be developed
into intelligent, useful aud selfsustaining
citizens, while without it, they must grow
up in the grossest ignorance, incapable Of
doing anything except the merest drudg-
cry, burden to their friends and useless
members Of society.
In view Of The facts, It becomes not
only an act q injustice and cruelty to
the child, but crime against the State
for any parents through negligence or
selfshness TO cut him off from the advan-
tages, which have been 50 literally pro
vided, and by which. alone. he can ever
be fitted for life of usefulness and hap
piness. A child, thus doomed 10 grope
his way through the world in mental and
moral darkness. is an object which
should excite the psOtoundest pity in
every generous mind.
We sincerely trust that the efforts which