Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-08-23
To Divide the D., D. & B. Schools.

To Divide the D., D. &, B. Schools.
IT is DISCUSSED AT THE STATE CONVEN'
| TIoN IN RICHMOND.
Among the delegates who attended the
Deaf-Mu convention at Richmond last
week. in addition to those whose
names we gave last Friday, We're
B. A. Huff Of Stanton, Lynn Car
ter of Waynesboro, Walter F. Slower
of New Hope, Lou II. Arnall Of Augusta
w. G. Ritter and wife of Staunton, H. A
Bear and daughter of Elkton, and Lou G.
Doyle OF Staunton. The chief subject OF
discussion by the members of the conven-
ton was the separation of the deaf-mute
and blind schools.
Professor H. A. Bear addressed the
meeting on the separate school question.
He stated that his thirty five years. exper-
fence as a professor in the institute at
Staunton convinced him Of the utter I'M
possibility of the two sections blending
tremendously together. He said that al
though the blind numbered hardly more
than half as many as the deaf, yet the bin
took up more room than the deaf at the
present school.
He declared it to be the duty of the Leg
islature to give those afflicted with deaf
. ness and blindness, an educa ton equal to
that given by other States, which have
separate schools.
Rev. Job Turner, who was the first
teacher OF the deaf in Virginia, followed
Professor Bear. He said that the Legis-
lature of 1888 OF thereabouts established
the school in Staunton for the deaf solely.
At that time there was a class of three
Oh four blind youths being taught in a
small room in Staunton. After the new
buildings for the deaf were occupied, some
one suggested, as an experiment. the
placing of these blind persons in part of
the buildings. The experiment proved
disastrous to the deaf, as time proved.
The blind gradually increased and took the
best part Of the buildings.
Messrs. Randolph, Jones, Ritter, and
others also addressed the meetings on this
subject.
| MOVING THE BLIND FROM STAUNTON.
| Editor Miller, of the Lynchburg Advance
a member of the D., d. Il B. Board OF
Visitors who is totally blind, went to Rich
mond especially for the purpose Of present
ing the separation scheme. The convention
after having had his views communicated
to them, decided to memorabilia the legis-
lature to make the change. MI. Miller was
placed on the committee to appear before
the Legislature. In speaking of the sub
ject Mr.. Miller said he had long wanted tC
see an institution for the instruction OF
the blind separate from the school for the
deaf and dumb. MI. Miller's plan is t6
have the deaf and dumb school remain at
Staunton. He thinks he can get a free site
and large fund toward establishing al
institute for the blind elsewhere.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
The association placed MI. w. g. Rittel
on the Committee on Separate Schools,
which will memoriallze the Legislature OF
behalf of the deaf. Another member viii
he appointed shortly.
After one OF two alterations had beer
made in the bylaws, the convention
went into the election of officers.
The following were chosen: Pre- sident
William G. Ritter, of StauntOn Vice
President, Daniel H. Rohrer, of Rocking
ham county; Secretary, Arthur G. Tucker
of Richmond Treasurer, SC. Jones, O.
AlbemarIe, reelected. The association
unanimously elected Professor G uilford D
Euritt, chaplain for the next two years.
The power of selecting the next place o.
meeting, was delegated to the Board O.
Directors Of the association.
Benediction was pronounced by Rev. Jol
Turner, and the association adjourned sin'
die AS O'Clock. The meeting was
very successful and profitable.
ENJOYMENTs IN RICHMOND.
A ball was given the deaf-mutes a
Ford's Hotel Thursday night. The dan
GERS seemed to enjoy themselves fully al
much as persons possessing the senses
they are minus, and their faces beame(
with happiness, while their agile fingers
flashed back and forth to each othe
repartee, compliment, and jest.
A number of the guests of Ford S enjoy
ed the sight of the dancers, and much sur
prise at the perfect time kept was express
ed by the lockers on. Music was furnished
by an italian with harp, and all the popu
lar waltzes, polkas, two-steps, and schot
tlsches were played by him. During tn
evening Campbell & Co., took a flash-ligh
photograph of the ballroom.