The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-22
THE MUTE AND BLIND.
REASONS Why THEY SHOULD BE
EDyCATED SEPARATELT.
Differences Between the Schooied and Ig-
norant Deaf Appiys in Ratio to tho fsrIy
schooIed and Thoroughly Taught.
ro tho Editor Of The Times:

TO the Editor of The Times
AT the Convention OF the Virginia Asso-
c,ation Of the Deaf neld in your city me
middle Of last month one of the princi-
nal matters OF business transacted was
that relating to memoralizing the State
Legislature in behalf OF separate schoo's
for the Deaf and the Blind.
The matter was discussed pretty thor
tughly not only by the mutes-memb@r'
OF the Association-but by others con-
rectcd with the School Faculty and the
Board as well. Both the blind and the
deaf. therefore. had hand In II. ana
the resolution favoring this move was
adopted unanimously.
The Richmond press not only gave this
matter prominence in their "eports OF
fj.d references made to the CONVENTION
end gathering of mutes there at the time.
tut added words of encour iSement. not
20 say connie ndatlon. and not only are
all deeply grateful. but reg ard IL az
snlendid start and the work is now on.
This communication is simply 10 keep
the matter. II possible. In the public
mind. md probably TO explain more fully
why the deaf want separate schools
The matter OF separating these two
classes is not new There have been dis
cusslops on the subject off ana on Tor
years and years. but comparatively lateiy
has the matter come in public view.
When the muies proposed organizing
4 State association, and having every
two or more years reunion ana con-
yeniion they consulted with the blind In
matters relating TO this, AMI hnsing the
blind quite as much In favor or separate
schools as they themselves. resolution
was accordingly put discussed, ana pass
ed at the first convention-that held IN
Richmond In iS9l-but the committee in
whose charge 1t was placed found that
the people and the Legislature had as
much as they cared for In the matter or
the State debt settlement and other
things without considering the needs OF
the blind and the deaf and dumb.
The StauntCn Convention not only took
UP this matter more vigorously but called
attention TO the colored mutes of the
State rot provided for Whatsoever. yet
tie committee again placed ~ charge %
the matter did absolutely nothing to-
wards bringing about a result.
They declared the General Assembly
would no; give TIE matter even the
least consideration. They were proba-
bly, right. hut there was lack of earn
estness on the part of those connected
with the schools, and in forming a new
committee the mutes have looked COM
pletely over the field, and propose seeing
the matter pushed. result however 1t
viii.
AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY.
The matter grows in importance with
time. and to those that are thoroughly
acquainted with either class. and the
'old house" are almost Of one mind and
regard separate schools an absolute ne
cessity. and believe it will be a matter of
economy as well.
1t is but a matter of a few thousand
dollars. and it can be made more or less
as the Legislature wills Furthermore 1t
may be looked at as hardly an increase OF
the usual expenditure at all.
The advocates of separate schools ar
que that Virginia followed Pennsylvania
in cor sidcring this class CT people in their
relationship with the general and built
for them the present institution az Staun-
ton. and for them alone. The blind were
taken in as an experiment simply, and
nearly ever since have gotten the lions
share Of everything. The number OF deaf
mutes increases with the population,
while the old house Is neither too large
or too good for them. The two classes
are entirely distinct from each other
They have little affection for each 9TH
er, nor do they get along well together
in the same house. The methods Of in
st-:cting the deaf are entirely different
from those Used IN instructing the blind
and about the only time they get together
Is when in the music hall on commence
ment day.
The blind pupils at the Staunton schools
are comparatively few, when compared
with the rumber of the deaf there. and
there are some who hold that many Of
these could 90 as we'll If not far better.
by Attending school at home There is
said TO lie a score perhaps two or three
score. dcaf-mutes I'm Virginia who have
never at all attended school. Whether
these were offered what others were or
not is not wholly clear, yet ii is known
that Principal Doyle has ever been a keen
observer of this. has sought out nearly
every che Of school age. whether deaf or
Blind and in many instances discharged
youth there to make room for theni or
sIch as they.
This may be simply a matter Of policy,
and no reflection is intended. for this
gentleman Is a student IF the blind and
deaf. He is a man of rare executive
ability, and long experienced and thor
oughly well-iniormcd regarding both
Yet for all that. what Is said here is put
plainly. and | believe also that IL Is true.
There are also large number Of Nir-
cirsa mutes who have been schoOled
other than at the State schools, and this
IS strange to a general observer as
the fact that few who have attended this
school care to avail themselves of the
opportunities OHtIcu SIdIltttS OF all
State schools by the government at
Washington.
THE ONLY WAY lsA CHANGE.
The only way out of this, then. seems
change. and the time is now ripening
for some kind Of change. and best change
of all seems the proposition to have sep
arate schools. So long as Virginia looks
upon her children as she does now-alikc
and cheerfully provides any and every
thing for them in this line, there is no
excuse. Mr.. Editor. for any deaf or blind
child being turned away from the Staun-
ton school for the lack of room; nor can
there be in this day any good reason for
sending off deaf boy or girl a a time
when single year or more would enable
him or her to obtain what our common
schools give. With this there : more
beyond. and II so. it il absolutely neces-
sary.
You cannot find a mother OF deaf
child who does not believe that child
more or less afflicted. nor can you find
father that will do less for deaf child
than for another.
Again. you cannot look upon an I'M
schooled mute without believing the