The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-12-16
A BOARD MAKES A SERIOUS MIS-
TAKE.

The Board of Management Of the In
dustriaI Home for the Adult Blind has,
we believe, made a serious mistake in
displacing the blind man Sanders who
has so long, and with such eminent sue
cess. superintended and instructed in
that institution.
In saying this the Record-Union dis
tinctly disclaims any intention to assail
the motives of the new board, but since
1t is open to fair and just criticism as
public body, in applying that criticism
we repeat that a mistake has been made
which we very much fear it will regret.
Not that the man chosen to succeed Mr.
Sanders may not be thoroughly imbued
with the proper spirit, moved by the
highest impulses, and fortified by the
best convictions, regarding the import
ant work that he is about to undertake.
On another page Of this mornings
Record-Union we reproduce the full re-
port of the proceedings of the board as
printed in the Oakland Enquirer at the
time OF the displacement of Mr.. Sand
ers. To careful reading of that report
we press our readers, since it is alike
the duty and the privilege of the tax
payer to know how all public institu-
lions are conducted, and what is the
character of the policy adopted for their
management We apprehend that the
general conviction will be among read
ers precisely that of the Record-Union,
that an error of judgment has been
committed by the new Board Of Man
agement.
It is a rule, with scarcely a known ex-
ception, that an employer having under
him a competent worker whose admin
istration of the department committed
TO him has been an economic and gen
eral success, and whose capacity re-
mains. will not displace him for new
and untried employe, no matter how
highly commended.
The employe who becomes a part and
parcel of the business of his employer,
who is. thoroughly identified with it,
whose life work is absorbed by it, who
has been faithful, competent conscien-
tious and able, and so still is, invari-
ably is better for the place he fills than
another who has to be nodded over, so
to speak, for the business and to conn
prehension of its policy and details Civil
largely, and the world of business is
full Of Illustrations of Its wisdom. We
say therefore that the State as an en-
ployer in the matter of the Industrial
Home for the Adult Blind is in the same
category with the private employers
who serve their own interests best by
retention of skilled. trusted, faithful
and competent employees.
We do not believe that the facts set
out in the official reports concerning
this institution as printed in the En-
quirer's account OF the late meeting OF
the new board can be controverted.
They bear not only the ear-marks of
truth, but they seem to challenge sue
cessful denial. It is there shown that
the experience of all other communities
in administering the affairs of such in
dustrial institutions, proves that a
teacher of the blind who is himself
blind. is the better instructor because
touch is the medium of instruction, and
because the instructor comes into closer
sympathy with the worker. He is aided
solely by touch. the only sense in man
ual labor that the blind worker can
employ, and he is therefore better en-
abled to innpart instruction to the blind.
The same rule applies to the general
internal administration and superin-
tendence of such an institution, namely
that one of the afflicted being in all
other ways qualified for the trust. is
most likely to prove the better superin-
tendent and home manager.
The reports published in the Enquir-