The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-10
THE BLIND MAN OUSTED,
Superintendent Sanders of the
Blind Asylum Dis.
charged.
IRISH CHAMpIONED HIS CAUSE.
John C. Hays Placed in the Position.
The Annual Meeting of
Directors.

OAKLAND OFFICE, SAN FRANCISCO CALI
90S Broadway, Dec. 8.
The directors of the Blind Home met at
that institution this evening, and Messrs.
Campbell, GREENWOOD and Morrow
yielded their seats 20 the Governors new
appointees, f. r. Glascock, T. G. Corgan
and Colonel James. John P. Irish and
Frank A. Leach held over.
President Irish read the following re-
port, which he has sent to the Governor:
To Hon. james IT. Budd. Governor of Cali
fornid-SIR: / have the honor to transmit
the report of the Adult Blind Home for the
fiscal year ending June so, 1885, as rendered
TO the board of directors by the superln-
tendert.
have made careful examination. and
comparison OF the same with the original
records and find ii correct.
The success of the institution is to be mess
ured by its production and sale OF articles
manufactured by blind handicraftsmen. There
material and seller of the finished article the
home stands in the market in no different at
utude from a private enterprise. For THIS
reason it is affected by the conditions OF busi.
ness to a degree unknown in any other state
institution. The excellent business manage
ment OF the superintendent has carried the
institution through the last two years OF hard
times without q deficit, Notwithstanding the
bad condition OF trade. 1t will be observed
that the cost per capita of maintaining the
entire number of persons at the nome was "A
cents per day. Its sanitary condition is shown
to be excellent by the fact that there was no
case of acute or Zymotlc disease among the in
mates, nor has there been for seven years =,
In the last Legislature it was proposed to sell
the present site, which was declared by COM
mittee that showed unjust animus against the
institution and its management, to have in
creased from 500 900, its cost to the State to
the value of 100000, and relocate the home
in some country place.
Such change would destroy the blind indus
tries and obtiterate the institution. To con-
tinue successful it must remain in contact with
the market for its raw material and manufac-
tured articles. The experience of century
has demonstrated the best employment for the
adult blind, and that experience should guide
those added to the management OF Sucn an H.
stitution.
AS heretofore stated and now repeated with
emphasis, these institutions are never any
where made self-supporting by the labor OF the
blind.
Colonel James was then put in nominal
ton for president and elected, j. p. Irish
retiring.
Colonel Irish, in speech nominating
the blind Superintendent Sanders for re-
election, reviewed the seven years service
of that official. After quoting stats tics to
prove that blind man is the best person
for such an institution, Colonel Irish said F:
Before Mr.. Sanders was superin tendent this
institution had no efficient books OF account or
record beyond the proceedings of its directors.
The system of books and accounts in the man
ufacturing and commercial departments is OF
his devising. There are here skillful and ex-
pert employees, blind and seeing, apt and faith
full. He trained them. This institution has
gained a momentum which will carry it far
ahead without new impulse. His hand gave 1T
the impetus. Before he came the dependent
adult blind of California were forlorn and
helpless, with no future but Indulgence. Every
one rescued from despair and restored TO man-
hood and hope was delivered and enfranchised
by him.
Even the deaf, dumb and blind have been
taught a trade, and made skillful and to de-
gree self supporting in its practice, by this
blind benefactor. | therefore declare with con
fidence that, in the presence OF an informed
this blind mans work would enter the record
of Ii among the things honorable to the com
monwealth; and in these days, when we are
told there is to be civil service reform under
the Harbor Commission and merit is to be
set above partisanship on the water front, the
enlightened manhood OF the State would forbid
that politics should intrude upon the position
stitution, which is the perfect work of his
hands. His devoted wife has served as matron
for seven years and half, without penny of
pay. The hapless blind women have had her
patient attention, the sick her care and the
diving her tears an unhlred offering on the
altar OF humanity.
The oratory of Colonel Irish availed
nothing, and John c. Hays, the son of the
Texas Ranger, was elected in Sanders
stead. No other changes were made, but
as Mrs. Sanders will leave with her hus-
band. a matron will soon have to be APP
Dointed