Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-07
AN APPEAL.

West Virginia School for the Deaf and the
Blind
RoMNEY, WA, February %, 1892.
To the People Of Vest Virginia:
For nearly twenty-five years West Vir-
ginia has been supporting a school for the
education OF the deaf and blind children
of the State. Every possible provision
has been made for their bodily comfort
as well as intellectual and moral devel-
opment. We have a corps OF compe-
tent and skilled teachers, comfortable
buildings, heathful climate. good
medical 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 eX-
penses 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 10 the counties from which
they come.
Notwithstanding all these advantages
the lamentable fact remains that nearly
two-thirds of those who are entitled 10
the privileges OF the school have never
availed themselves OF its blessings.
This is due, we think in large meas
ure, to lack Of information. Many pa
rents do not know of the existence OF
such Il school, and others have no proper
conception. Of its nature and purpose.
There are quite number also, who
through mistaken loYe and sympathy
for these afflicted children, are sverse
to sending them away from home, fear
ing that they may not fall into kindly
hands. Many have an idea that it is a
sort of reformatory school, a department
of the penitentary, where incorrigible
boys and girls are placed under harsh
taskmakerS 10 be trained in the ways OF
wisdom and virtue. SuCh notions can
only find Judgment in the midst OF the
densely ignorant. There are others 1--WE
trust for the sake Of humanity that
their numbers are smal) who keep
their children at home on account OF
the paltry profit, which may be derived
from their labor. They are willing TO
dwarf their intellectual and moral
natures, ii only they can convert them
into profitable beasts of burden. For
such sordld souls, we have no word OF
argument or appeal. But for the infor-
nation OF all, VINO 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 te-
tween il and the ordinary school Is that
from the nature OF the case, special
methods OF Instruction must be
pursued. Not only are they taught
the ordinary branches OF a common
school education, but are instructed In
such handicrafts as will enable them TO
earn a livelihood after leaving school.
The deaf are taught printing, shoe
making, tailoring, carpentry and caoi-
net making, while the blind learn broom
and mattress making and cane-seatlng.
1t can readily be seen that with the
education and manual training which
we are able to give them, they can be
developed into intelligent, useful and
self-sustaining citizens, while, without
it, they must grow up in the grossest
ignorance, incapable of doing anything
except the merest drudgery, burden
TO their friends and useless members Of
society.
In view of these facts. it becomes not
only an act OF injustice and cruelty to
the child, but crime against the State
for any parents through negligence or
selishness to cut him off from the ad-
vantages, which have been so literally
provided, and by which alone he can
ever be fitted for life OF usefulness
and happiness. A child thus doomed TO
grope his way through the world in
mental and moral darkness IS an object
which should excite the proloundest
pity in every generous mind.
We sincerely trust that the efforts
which are now being made TO get into
school such Of these unfortunate chill
dren as are of suitable age and mental
capacity will be earnestly seconded not
only by their parents and Immediate
friends, but by every good citizen OF the
State.
This institution should be matter
OF pride and interest 10 every citizen
OF West Virginia, not only for the no.
bic work which it is doing, but for the
fact that it stands an enduring monu-
| ment to her Christian philanthropy. 1t
should also touch sympathetic chord
in the hearts OF all our people, because
no one knows when, in the providence
OF God, he may have a child that will
need its fostering care. We are about
completing large additions to our build
ings, which will afford US ample accom-
modations for at least IT'S or 200 pupils.
The attendance this year Of both
classes is ll9, which, We are sure, Is
barely one-third of the number in the
State of school age. To the end
that a knowledge of the institution
may be more widely extended, and that
all, who are entitled TO its benefits, may
be reached, we call upon all public off,
Gals, such as sheriffs, clerks Of courts,
assessors, county commissioners, etc,
to disseminate information on the SUBJ
ject, as far as possible, and TO use their
personal influence TO having these chill
dren sent TO school. Our session begins
on the second Wednesday In September
and continues forty weeks. Applica-
tions for admission should be filed as
early as practicable. All letters OF in
curry, addressed TO the Principal, Will
receive prompt attention.
c. III. HILL, Principal.