The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-10-24
THE INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND.
Interestlng Talk from Blind Member of
the Commission.

Interesting Talk from Blind HE mber Of
the Commission.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Oct. 1.-TWO
years ago the Legislature authorized
the appointment OF a commission to pass
on the advlsability of separating the
blind department otthe Cedar Springs
Institute from the other departments
AMI Of making separate institute for
the blind. The commission was duly
appointed aud recommended the separs'
ton. The last Legislature provided for
the appointment of commission to
select site for an institute foT the blind,
to report on the probable cost OF the
building, to secure plans and speci6cs'
tons from architects and to put every.
thing In shape for the Legislature to
take action.
The following commission was ap.
pointed: Representatives W. Il. Yoldell
OF Edge6eld and I. J. Kirkland of Ker
shaw from the House; and Senators r.
R Hempbill OF Abbeville and T. s.
Brice Of Fairfield from the Senate.
These gentlemen selected Rev. 2. P.
Bialeck Of Edge6eld as the fifth member
of the commission.
Toe commission held it's first meeting
in the jerome Hotel last night. Ali it
did was to organize preparatory to a
moro extended meeting this morning.
To day it will receive plans aod speclfi
cations and estimates of cost from ar
chitects and builders, and will visit sew.
eral places which might make ,ultaole
sites.
a Register reporter had an interesting
talk with Mr.. Blalock on the objects of
the commission. Mr.. Blalcck Is blind
and is naturally interested in all that is
to Be done for the benefit OF others sim
ilarlv sG.cted.
Mr.. Blalock said that 30 far as he
was concerned he wanted to see the 10
stitute built i'll Columbia. He said that
the bill passed by the Legislature au-
thorlzed the commission TO accept offers
from cities and towns in the shape o.
sites, money, etc. He would be glad
to see Columbia make bid, but If it
did not do so be was in favor OF putting
the institute here anyway. Then be
gave splendid reasons why 1t should
come here. He said that the bliad learn
much by absorption, and the place
where they are now taught affords no
opportunity for this. he said that the
Cedar Spring Institute is far away from
any city or town and is not even on 3
dirt raod. The aA cted pupils have no
chances thele to learn except what is
taught them in the regular curriculum.
Great progress is being made by the
blind. They are learning to become
MUSICIANS aud in Philadelphia there are
seventeen blind orgsnists in prominent
churches. In Columbia the blind musi-
clans would have chances to show their
learning and their knowledge OF such
things. They would have a chance 10
practice. They would have opportunities
10 visit concerts. By hearing is the only
way the blind learn music. At Cedar
Springs there are no such chances as in
Columbia.
Mr.. Blalock continued by saying that
the blind are taught to make brooms,
chairs, etc. At Cedar Springs there ia
no market for these thing. Ifthe in.
stituse were IN Columbia there would
be good market. o her State instiu'
tons could buy what was made if mer.
chants did not want the articles.
Mr.. Blalock said he was in favor OF
asking the State to give tract OF land
belonging to the South Carolina Col.
lege on which to erect the institute.
The block nearly opposite the South Car
olina College, bounded by Sumter, Main
and Greene streets, he thought, would
be splendid site. This property is not
being used by the College. Nr. B Blalock
said that the advantages OF this location
would be many. The institute would bs
near the college, which the blind stu
dents could attend to listen to lectures.
They would also havs access to the IL
brary Of the college.
Mr.. Blalock estimates that the build
ing would cost about SIS, 900. He says
that the accommodations for the blind
a. Cedar Springs are so limited that the
State will have to build an addition If
it does not decide to make the institute
separate, az is proposed.
The commission will today visit the
site spoken of by Mr. Blalock and con-
fer with President Woodrow as to
whether the college caa spare that much
ground.