The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-21

The House 10 Iake an Inquiry Into the
Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institution.

MT ~ dlkcr, or Augusta OHcItd lhc
following joint resolution In the House
yesterday which was agreed 10:
Resolved, by the House Of Delegates,
the Senate concuuing. That a committee
of three on the part of the House. and
two on the part OF the Senate, be ap-
pointed 10 inquire into and report upon
the charges preferred against the lnsti-
tuition for the Education OF the Deaf. tn.
Dumb. and the Blind. by one John l..
Randolph of Norfolk, Va, ass published
in lhc Richmond papers o. the 18Th and
begin its Investigation Immediately, be
18th instants. that SAID committee shall
empowered 20 sit during the sessions Of
the General Assembly. and 10 send for
such persons ana papers as 1t may need,
and. lf necessary, 10 visit the city of
StauntOn Tor the purposes Of The inves-
tisati0u.'
ln connection with this resolution, the
following telegram was read.
"Hon. silas - Walker Exchange Hotel,
Richmond Va
"Ou behalf of the teachers and officers
of tho Deal. Dumb and Blind Institution.
demand ana immediate and thorough iu-
vestigatiOn. by the proper committee or
the Legislature. of the charge made ON
Saturday by Randolph, of Norfolk and
others.
please present this telegram 10 the
Committee ON Asylums and Prisons
"T. $. DOYLE,
Principal Institution OF the Deaf
Dumb and Blind"
ONE OF RANDOLPH's LETTERS.
Several members OF the House of Dele
gates have received letters similar 10 the
one received by Mr Hathaway. chairman
Of the Committee on Asylums and Pris-
0ns Boo regard 10 the charges referred 10
ira the Joint resolution and the telegram
published above. one Of the delegates
yesterday showed me the letter which
he had received on the subject, and which
reads as follows:
Gl6 w. Brambleton Ave.
Norfolk Va. Jan. l6 1896.
Dear Sir-Your record as a member of
the Legislature embOldens me 10 call
your attention 10 the bin now pending
relating TO the division of the institution
for the education of The deaf-mute and
the blind OF this State. j appeal TO you
to endeayor 10 have the said bin amend
ed so as 10 have the division drawn on
the line Of sex instead Of separating The
blind from the deaf-mute, as now in-
tended. j am graduate Of this insu-
tuition as is also my wife, and II IS my
knowledge OF matters. gained In my
schOOl-days that prompts this request.
on the grounds of economy alone, the
division Of sex is preferable. There mas
been no difficulty i'm teaching the blind
and the deaf-mute I'm the same insttu-
tlon. and there Dis "a great saving, as the
deaf-mute can do a great deal OF labor
that the blind are restrained from by
their loss OF sight such as mending
clothing, etc, for the blind
Dividing on the line proposed by the
bin would place l02 deaf-mutes in one
institution. ana as blind in the other.
division by sex would place an almost
equal number I'm each school. So, on the
grounds Of convenience alone, tho lat-
ter plan rs highly preferable. But am
other consideration prompts my request.
Education rs a grand thing, but is "a
girl TO risk her virtue 10 gain it! am
speaking from my personal knowledge
when | say ! know OF several eX-pupils
who have been ruined boy the male
teachers. God only knows how many be-
sides those Virginia owes IT 10 those
poor afflicted girls-more ignorant OF the
world because Of their am'cton-that
their chastity should Doe guarded while
their education was being perfected.
This is am eVer-rccurring danger while
the female scholars are kept under the
guidance of male teachers. 1t has been
i'm the past. and IL will be in the future.
If permitted.
Several ladies now married i'm this VI
cinity. including my wife. can give evi-
dence of the persecution suffered by them
I'm the institution from male teachers.
/ appeal TO you to at least do your part
TO prevent the continuance of this horri-
Bile state of affairs. Better for girl
TO remain in dense ignorance than 20
gain knowledge at the expense OF what
anv honest man would preserve at the
expense of his life among his own
family.
The state owes it 10 these female pupils
that they should be under the charge and
supervision of their own sex, and not
left 10 the unscrupulOus mercy OF some
ibertine of a male teacher. Some Of the
people now endeavoring to have the OIL
/ mentioned passed may wish the per
uetuation of this infarmy, but l appeal
10 your honor a. a man, your chlNairy
as "A Virginian. and TO the generous sym
paihv AN should extend 10 tellow-pe-
ing. and ask that you do what one man
can do to prevent the further betrayal
of innocent girls. i'm the institution Kept
and maintained by this grand old state
Respectfully yours,
JOHN L. RANDOLPH.
u. S.-If YOU please see Dr. W. w.
Parker. TO whom / have written letter
An regard TO the same thing.