The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-11-24
AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT

a. E IT, otAl
citizens which demands the attention
and interest OF every intelligent man
and woman In the state.
4 speak OF The proposed separation OF
the schools for the deaf and blind, sit
uated at Romney. At these schools all
deaf and blind children in the state,
between the ages OF eight and twenty
hve, are educated, as well as clothed
and fed, Mt public expense. Within the
borders OF West Virginia there Is not
a grander charity, nor Is there an in.
stltutlon OF which the state can more
Justly be proud. True, the buildings nre
not so fine as those devoted to the Same
purpose In other states, nor so costly
and handsome as those provided Nv
West Virginia for her insane, but tho
work being done compares fayorably
with that OF the most advanced schools
N the land, taking Into consideration
the limited means, for these schools are
30 far from the great centres Of The
state, as TO be almost unknown to n
vast majority OF our citizens, and are
thus in1uriously deprived of not only
money. but the interest and sympathy
OF Intelligent people.
In spite OF these disadvantages, they
have been slowly growing, until they
nave overlooked and are ready to burst
through thelr limited boundaries. And
us the time has come when something
must be done to provide space for the
afflicted children OF these two classes.
ana there being no more room on these
grounds for buildings, the board of re-
gents has determined to recommend to
the next legislature that the two class.
es be separated, and each have a school
OF its own. This Is, the policy of al
most every state In the union. As a
matter OF economy, the blind, (belng
the smaller class. are spoken OF for
removal. though the. board Is not unan-
imous In this. and OF course the point
Is one to be settled by the legislature.
There are now In the Romney insti-
tuition one hundred andG TWENTY-FIVE
deaf and fifty-one blind. One hundred
and eighty Is the outside capacity OF
the institution. Besides the one hundred
and twenty-five deaf now present, there
are fourteen absent from temporary
causes, such as sickness iuIthe family.
or i'll health of the child, and there are
twelve on the roll of the school who are
too young. or for other causes are kept
at home, but who are entitled to school
privileges, and who must be provided
for. This makes the number of known
deaf In the state and now In the school.
or likely to be at any time, one hundred
and fifty-one.
1t can be seen at a glance what a
very small margin is left for the
growth OF the deaf school should 1t be
kept In these buildings. and how soon
the state would be again called upon
to solve the problem Of accommodation
for her deaf children, while the blind
would have room here for all time, and
yet under energetic, quick-sighted man.
agement the number of blind children
gathered in would soon fill the build
ings comfortably, for the blind REQUIRE
much more space for their educational
apparatus than the deaf.
Few people realize that there are In
the state of West Virginia to-day up
wards Of four hundred deaf and blind
children of school age. and the num-
Der of the deaf only exceeds the blind
by about ore-third. Another reason
why the deaf should be removed is
that they are SO largely educated
through the eye. It is, therefore, ex-
ceadinsly desirable that they should be
within reach of machine shops, print
ing Offices and the thousand and one
places which would enable them to see
how the work of the world goes on.
The question OF which class Is to be
removed Is a serious one, and will
doubtless receive the best attention Of
those who will have the matter In
charge.
The question of where the new school
should go is also of great moment. the
place should be healthy and as near
the centre of the state as posslble. There
is an appropriation of s2,40O every two
years for travelling expenses. and this
sum is found all too small, because
the present location IA so far from the
centre, some of the children having to
go through W states to reach it. A
great saving could be made by locat-
ing the new institution on the main
stem of some railroad.
When 1t comes to the man to be plac-
ed at the head of the blind school. the
first qualification Is Christian charac-
ter and integrity, not only on account
OF the states funds which he must
handle, but because OF the far weightier
responsibility of molding the morals OF
her children. Being strong on these
points. and on business capacity and
executive ability, the next thing Is TO
get Il wide awake, up-to-date man, COL
leSe-bred. n having those traits
which will not only command the re-
spect, but the admiration and affection
Of the children.
1t should ever be kept before all par
ties that these schools are not founded
for the benefit OF principals, or teach
ers, or officers. ortadult, deaf or blind
persons, but are created and support
ed by the tax-payins public for the sole
benefit of deaf and blind children of
school age. Could there be a nobler
object? One that appeals more Strong
" to every kind and generous heart?
Look at these afflicted little ones, start
Ing lifc's difficult race, so hampered, so
handicapped. Do We not owe them the
best we can give them? They come
mostly from the homes OF the poor, and
II left u~neducated. grow up to-fDrm one
of the most pitiful classes OF paupers.
With the education they receive in these
schools, which is manual as well as
mental, they are enabled to~start life
equipped for the struggle. and can earn
for themselves, not only the necessities,
but many Of the comforts, and ever
luxuries of life.
There Is nothing to be tolerated In
the training OF these children. which
encourages, in them. a feeling of de-
pendence upon charity. With educa-
ton OF head and hand they can. and
must be trained to want TO be- ~self-re-
speeding, independent citizens. | de-
voutly trust that this matter may re-
ceive the thought and interested at
tention Of our generous public and that
1t may be wisely dealt with.
CITIZEN.
no.