The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-12-16
Home FOR TIE ADULT BLIND.
Splendid Record of the Blind Super
intendent Sanders.
He is Turned Out and John c. Hays
Eleoted-His Enviable Record
Reviewed.


land Enquirer. AS it is of deep in
terest to every citizen of this State we
reproduce it in full:
The old and new Boards of Directors
Of the Industrial Home for the Adult
Blind met at the home yesterday af-
ternoon at 4:30 and after the business
OF the old board had been disposed of,
the new directors carried out their pro-
gramme, electing John c. Hays to be
Superintendent, vice Joseph Sanders,
the blind man. N. 7. James, one of the
new directors, was elected President of
the board, vice John p. Irish.
When the old board convened, the
monthly report of Superintendent San
ders was read. It showed three inmates
admitted during the month. The men S
dormitories are now full. The output
of brQoms is fifty dozen per day, and
there are orders ahead for 800 dozen,
which will be filled next week. Broom
stock is now cheaper than ever before,
and the demand for broOmS taxes the
capacity of the institution. It will be
possible to advance prices about D per
cent without losing the trade. Two
carloads of broom corn have been re-
ceiVed from Kansas. one car being all
right and the other short on weight
and quality. Notice of garnishment
has been served by a San Francisco
firm on both cars
The Secretary reported $3.50 70 on
hand. The money was counted, found
correct and ordered transmitted to the
State Treasurer.
ANNUAL REPORT.
The following report of Adult Blind
Home was read and ordered forwarded
to the Governor:
To Hon. James H. Budd, Governor
OF CallfOrnia-Sir: i have the honor to
transmit herewith the report of the
AGult Blind Home for the fiscal year
ending June 80 1896 as rendered to
the Board Of Directors by the Super
intendent.
/ have made a careful examination
and comparison of the same with the
original records and find it correct.
The success Of the institution is to be
measured by its production and sale of
articles manufactured by blind handi-
craftsmen. There is no sentiment in
trade, and as a buyer of raw material
and seller of the finished article, the
home stands in the market in no diff
ferent attitude from a private enter
prise.
For this reason it is affected by the
conditions of business to a degree I'M
known in any other State institution.
The excellent business management of
the superintendent has carried the in
stitution through the last two years of
u,
standing the bad condition Of trade. 1t
will be observed that the cost per cap
ita of maintaining the entire number
OF persons at the home was forty-four
cents per day. It's sanitary condition
is shown to be excellent by the fact
that there was no case of acute or zy-
motto diseases amongst the inmates,
nor has there been for seven years.
In the last Legislature it was pro-
posed to sell the present site, which
was declared by a committee that
showed unjust animus against the in
stitution and its management, to have
increased from $50, 600, its cost to the
State, to a value of 100000, and relo-
cate the home in some country place
Such change would destroy the blind
industries and obnterate the institu-
ton. To continue successful 1t must
remain in contact with the market for
its raw material and manufactured ar
tcleS. The experience of a century has
demonstrated the best employment for
the adult blind, and that experience
should guide those called to the man
agement of such an institution AS
heretofore stated, and now repeated
with emphasis, these institutions are
never anywhere made self-supporting
by the labor of the blind. Blindness is
handicap, and not an advantage to
the adult. If the reverse were true,
self-SuppoTt, and a guarantee of ca
pacity to that end, the respondent
workingman, a failure with all his fac
ulties, instead of escaping from the
miseries of life by suicide, would equip
himself for success by the less terrible
eXpedient Of putting out his eyes.
l wish to repeat all former ascrip-
lions of praise and credit to the blind
superintendent, Joseph Sanders. His
genius and energy and fidelity have
been wrought into the redemption of
this institution from the low condition
in which it passed into his hands. For
years he acted in the double capacity
of Superintendent and teacher for the
salary of superintendent alone, saving
TO the State over So, CO., and his high
hearted wife has performed the duties
of Matron for seven years without a
penny of pay, daily bringing comfort,
announcement and blessing to the
flapless blind. l make special mention
of these unrequited services, as the
case is an exception to the rule followed
by those who serve the commonwealth.
Respectfully, JOHN p. IRISH,
President Board Of Directors.
The physicians report was read and
filed. and the monthly bills We're or
dered paid.
This completed the business of the
old board, and Messrs. G.. p. Morrow
N.
directors, thereupon retired. Fred. A.
Campbell, another retiring director,
was not present.
Messrs. N. T. James, T. c. Coogan
and J. r. Glasscock, the new directors,
took their seats.
President Irish said he desired, on
behalf of himself and Mr.. Leach, the
hold-over members, to express a sense
of obligation to Messrs. Spaulding and
Morrow, the two gentlemen who re-
tired, for their services, and he also
welcomed the new members.
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT.
The election Of President and Vice
President was declared in order, and,
without nominations, a ballot was TAX
en-. resulting as follows: James, 3;
Irish, J. When the vote had been par
TALLY counted it was observed that
President Irish had not voted; he was
asked to vote then, but remarked,
Never mind; the result of the ballot
would be the same.
Director Leach had voted for Irish,
and the other three, including James
himself, had voted for James.
ballot was then taken for Vice
President, resulting: Leech, 3; Coogan,
Director Leach declined to take the
office He said he had declined ii on
former occasions. and he did not desire
an increase of responsibilities now.
on motion of Irish, Mr.. Leech's resig-
nation was accepted, and new ballot
was ordered.
This resulted the same as the first
Leach. >: Coogan. 2.
Mr.. Leach said he was sorry the board
persisted. but he would have to be
equally stubborn; he declined second
time
On the third ballot Coogan received
votes and Glascock /. Coogan was de-
clared elected.
HAYS AND SANDERS.