The San Francisco call., 1896-03-04


tuition. thew were in good health. Every de-
partment from cellar to garret, was absolutely y
clean and tidy The directors and superin-
tendent were attentive and considerate, re-
luctantly suspending or expelling those who
persistently violated the rules, and only then
in cases where it was absolutely necessary for
the protection OF the other inmates and the
good of the home.
The Institution was managed just as the
good people of the State would be likely to de-
sire that it should be-in kind and humane
manner in every detail. Every complaint was
listened to and considered, from whatever
source.
Colonel John P Irish, the chairman of the
board. has been director since the institution
was put under distinct board over nine years
ago and has devoted much OF his time in the
interest of the home and its inmates. He was
present at the home in and out of season,
never firing of doing anything to promote the
welfare of all.
After all that can truthfully be said in praise
of the devotion and attention given to the in
stitution by Colonel Irish, Mr. Leach and Mr.
Morrow, accord most praise to the blind SUI
perintendent, Mr.. Sanders, to whom more than
all others we are indebted for the social. moral
and financial success OF the Blind Home. He is
really remarkable man. In early life he was
deprived of his sight; he acquired good edu-
cation, spent several years in the Blind Home
in Philadelphia, where ne mastered such trades
as the blind could work at, and for many years
taught these trades there. Ten years ago he
came here and was employed as teacher in
the home, from which position he was pro-
noted to that of superintendent.
Since then he has been slandered and abused
because he could not be made tool of by de-
signing parties who had private interests to
ftrrth tho- .;c hQq tod hI
others, not for the good they could do, but for
the private gain they hoped to acquire.
I found Mr. Sanders TO be O gentleman of
refined manners, good morals and sympathetic,
with good word for every inmate with whom
he came in contact. He understood their needs
and cheerfully administered to their wants.
He put the institution in perfect order and ad-
ministered it with great economy. He acted
for years as teacher without extra pay, and
when the seeing foreman of the broom shop
who had been necessary under seeing super
intendents who were ignorant of the business,
died, he took upon himself that duty.
In this way estimate that he saved the State
during his term in salaries alone between
$4,000 and S6OOO His record was truthfully
stated by Colonel Irish in the speech nominal
ing him for reelection last November. Neither
the Governor nor any one has contradicted
that record, nor can they, for IL is part OF the
official documents of the State. His wife, a
noble woman, served during his superin-
tendency as matrcn of the home, also without
a penny of pay, and her record OF sacrifice and
devotion to the blind and unfortunate, and her
unselfsh and unrequited work by the side OF
her husband, deserved better than the cold
hearted treatment both have suffered et the
hands of high authority.
/ notice that the inmates have signed let
ter TO the Governor thanking him for the re-
cent reforms in the home. Among them are
many who chafed at salutary discipline now
entirely withdrawn, and many who, in their
helplessness, feel their dependence on their
officers. By such letter no one should be
deceived. The inmates without exception fur
nished a truer index than this to their feelings
that sorrowful night last December when the
blind superintendent, his wife and little child
left the home. He was stricken down by the
hand of party greed and unthinking lust for
place. He was no longer in power over them
and all these inmates gathered and sobbed
their farewells, making a scene which the
new officers did not care 10 face.
That was the touch of nature from the
hearts of those blind men and women, not pur
chased by promises, for he had none to make.
The thinking people OF this State will Offset it
against present expressions procured by any
means by he person who is enjoying posses
sion of a blind mans place.
The expulsion of Ir. SanIerssEould bring a
blush to the cheek OF every man concerned in
it. 1t was step toward the wrecking of this
institution, and al for the purpose of giving q
place to one without the experience or
knowledge necessary, but who was out OF q
job, for the purpose of paying political debt.
a. was never more dumfounded than when
witnessing the cold -blooded, deliberate and
prearranged decapitation of Mr. Sanders by
Budds directors, who, circumstances show,
were appointed for this purpose. and who must
have known the sacrifice they were making to
carry out this nefarious scheme.