The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-24
STATE BLIND INSTITUTE.
Superintendent Becton's Annual Re-
port just Issued.
THE INSTITUTION IS FL0URISHING.
one Hundred and Forty-Three Pupils In
Attendance Workings OF the Insti-
tuition for tho Past Year.
Austin Statesman.

Dr Bccton is found in tho report:
BOARD or TRUsrEEs' REPORT.
Hon. c. \. Culbcrson. Governor:
Austin, Texas. November 1.-THE report
Of the superintendent of the Institution for
tho Bind for tho year ending November
/, 1850, is so full and accurate that We
deem 1t unnecessary to supplement it with
any suggestions or recommendations
The general health OF the pupils has been
cNcollon: FOR the past yodr-bettcr, per
haps than in many yoars--Gnd the general
mana cement OF nr. Becton entirely salts
I factory in all departments He entered
upon the DISCHARGE of his duties January
| J, 1870 With a zeal and enthusiasm which
| hc has steadily maintained; and the good
| order iluc discipline and general progress
and Improvement of the institution mas
| been such as 10 commend nm and the
Institution 10 the continued favor of the
The report Of Superintendent Becton
| shows that on January l. 1898. there were
enrolled ii0 pupils. School closed June Ii
| with an enrolment OF l5i pupils. There
| were six graduates:
Harvey Caldwell, LGnnius, Fannin coun-
~; T. NJ. Copeland, blackberry. LaVaca
county Henry Lebernam. Galveston, Gal
Neston county; Alon1o Sandusky. Rio
Vista. Johnson. county; joel r., Smith,
Beaumont, Jefferson county; VIM. Il.
Thomas, Stockdale. Wilson county.
A certificate of proficiency in the trades
department was issued to James NJ. JEFF
one of the graduaies, AlonZo Sandusly,
IS taking course at tho state university.
Harvey Caldwell Henry Lcbcrman and
William =. Thomas are tuning aud re-
pairing pianos. Joel Z. Smith is working
iu "A store. f, NJ, Copeland is book
agent. James NJ. jefferson has Il broom
shop Of his own. All are gelf-sustaning
Ton pupils were so much relieved by
operations and treatment that the state
oculist recommended that they be sent to
the ordinary schools. Their names and
tggl 'sscS are as follows;
ELLA Hudson. DeIeon, Texas: Minnie
shuttlesworlh. Troupe, Texas; Annie Pat
terson, Sprinkle. Texas; Ida King. Gray
bill. Texas; Henry Scot, Clcburne Texas.
Penn Scott Calvert, Texas; Clarence
ton, Troupe, Texas. Omer Tyncr. Boz
Texas Willie Mcdaniel. Thorntton, Texas.
every reason to congratulate ourselves
upon the character and results of the
work done at this Institution by the
state oculst. Not only have ten been
sent home sufficiently restored to enable
them - attend the ordinary schools, but
by relieving suffering he has in many
their studies. thereby contributing no
little to the success OF school work He
Is an efficient officer and attentive to his
The report sets forth also that the fall
term ter Of lS,, opened September u with
no pupils IN attendance and that the
present enrolment is llS.
superintendent Becton also sets forth
that az the beginning of the present ses-
l
Is herewith attached marked exhibit ~.
This, the principal and teachers inform
me, systematizes the work IN the school
room, and has proven of great ADVANTAGE
II also enables parents. by referring to
the grades, 70 see the advancement made
by their children from year to year.
y suitable uniform for the female pu-
plls was adopted at the beginning of the
present session. This | thought necessary
FOR the following reasons: Pupils whose
clothing was furnished by the STATE
snin"pmcS ret embarrassed because they
| were not dressed as web as those whose
clothing WIS furnished by their part MS
ana this difference was kcpulv felt nv
sensitive young ladies who could see wcil
enough % distinguish colors AZ a rule
the clothing made at home was insult
ani' 10 ne worn wren taking lessons in
physical culture. The teachers and pu-
plIS arr pleased with the change
lho Shlt aud carriage of blind pupils
is generally faulty. Believing this In a
great measure, could lie improved by mil
lIary drill; | at the beginning of the Sos
SION, required that a company he formed
composed Of boys over l. veara of agr,
anu mat this company he drilled three
ZINES ZINES a week; the weather permitting.
Gated at military school. has command
OF TINS company and already there Is
marked Improvement.
Upon taking charge OF this institution
January !, ! tound that the lady who had
formerly taught crochcting, knitting and
OF last session, and | was not able TO nj
the vacancy until the middle of April
RECOGNIZABLE the fact that the blind should
De encourasod TO make themselves self
Sustainins, this department is receiving
espccsal attention. and am gll TO renorf
that We nave competent teacher, ana
WAT thtre IS now class of twenty yirIs
receiving instruction in crochetiug Knit
ting and netting. ~
Realising that many of the pupils who
tnke inc course In music Will never be
aple TO own a piano or organ, | have re-
cently organized "A class of girls IN the
study 81 the guitar, mandolin and violin
hoping that when they become proficient
on these Instruments they viii be able
IN a measure, 10 he yelf-sustaining.
IN many cases the parents OF blind
cnlmrcn mink because their childrcn arc
NINA that therefore they have a special
talent lor music. Observation conVincps
me- that tho percentage of blind children
VINO VIII excel In music is no greater
imdn seolns children. and notwit hstandipg
ine opportunities of parents, I am on
doayoring To give their children a pric-
veal education in other lines. when after
a talr trial 1t becomes evident that they.
Hence, IA addition to the literary depart
mcnt, ting sowing, crocheting, knitting
chair bottoming departments are recoiv-
ing especial attention and encouragement
mere nav been but two changes IN
,ne corps of teachers, Professor W. A.
Harper resigned to attend medical col
lcge, Professor 7. II. Gilbert was pro-
noted TO the position li,lod ny Professor
Harper ami Professor j. u. Clay of Hon.
kins county was appointed to rim the va
lessor Gilbert. Mrs. DOME johnson was
appointed teacher of sewing. vice Miss
l,nlm. who was appointed assistant ma
iron.
have largely increased tho duties and
responsibilities of the prncipal In every
instance he has proved himself equal to
tho emergency, MS counsel and assist
| anco are Invaluable.
Notwithstaudinc tho Efforts Of the form
er superintendent during his term of office
hcrc, and my own efforts since | took
charge to educate the people upon TINS
point, | find that great many look upon
this institution as an asylum for the
blind. or rather hospital for the treat
mcut Of sore eyes. and despite my Efforts
10 prevent II. persons are being sent mere
| and IN some instances at the eNnpnsa OF
the state, who should be treated at nome
. | by n physician or specialist. Eight ga,cn
cases have been sent here this session
four Of whom were sent home The tour
remaining will receive treatment a few
weeks, when they viii be sent home. 10
lprevent repetition OF this, l. after a
consultation with tho State ocullst ana
with tho approval OF the board of trus.
tees. have made rhe rule for the admission
OF pupils more stringent, aud now require
the certificate nt regular practicing nnv-
stefan. srttine forth fully the condition OF
tho applicants eyes.