The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-09
INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF.
A Teacher Responds to Criticisms Re-
Gently Printed in This Paper.


which misrepresented some matters. and
which drew erroneous conclusions from GER
tain facts which were stated. AS "Nonpar-
tisans" communication was written with
view of aiding Governor Mount lin in
vestigating'' the affairs of the institution
before his appointment of a new board of
trustees j shall join him in that gratui-
tious attention, and shall incidentally shed
some light on institution affairs for the
benefit of the public. l will preface my
by saying that l am teacher in
the institution. What / may write, there
fore. comes under ''Nonpartisan's" con-
demnation of standardization" but as my
position affords me opportunities TO gather
information supported by facts-which OPP
portunities "Nonpartisan" has not-I feel
that my words will stand justified without
apology.
'Nonpartisan's" statement that "R. O.
Johnson. the present superintendent is an
intense partisan and but creature OF poll
tics" is not true. / state II unqualifiedly.
Seven years of almost daily intercourse
with Mr.. Johnson. which covers all but
the first year of his incumbency. enables
me to deny positively that he is IAN in
tense partisan or that politics has in
fiuenced him in his official acts. Addition
al testimony, if it be wanted may be found
in the seventh report of the Board OF
State Charities. just published, wherein II
is stated: This institution, several years
ago. discarded all partsanship in the mat
ter of appointment and discharge OF OFF,
GERS and employees. Since the beginning OF
the administration of the present superin-
tendent the only standard of eligibility ~
appointment in the institution has been that
of moral and intellectual fitness for the
work TO be done" The gentlemans own
words on the subject of partisanship may
be quoted to show his sentiments and his
principles. In his last annual report he
said 1T 0he institution should be for
ever removed from partisan control and in
fiuence, which blights. warps and dwarfs
educational work"
The manner of his appointment to the SUI
perintendency. after he had been the sec
ond officer of the institution for six years,
effectually disposes OF the charge that Mr..
Johnson is creature of politics" When
CURED Mr.. Johnson was placed in charge
on probation. simply as acting superin-
tendent; after nine months of such serv-
ice he was duly elected superintendent Tor
a term OF one and a half years, or until
Sept. l. 1891 At that time he was elected
for four years and then again for four
years, until Sept. 1, 1899. With tremen-
douS energy and success Mr.. Johnson set
about improving the physical condition of
the institution. which. inside and out.
being content with being merely a good
business superintendent, he bent his en-
ergies to the Improvement of the school:
Recognizing the fact that uniformity OF
method and proper classification were re-
quired to make the school homogeneous
and had printed at the beginning of his
second year a course of study and outline
for the whole school. This was. so far as
/ have been able to learn. the first definite
GCh00l
practice before being to allow the teachers
much latitude in the selection OF matter
to be taught, each teacher carrying class
through almost the whole school course.
Being we'll fitted by education for that
line of work, his efforts for improvement
in methods of teaching, in proper classif1-
cation of the pupils and to thoroughly sys-
tematize the entire school work met with
success. The school has to-day kindergar-
ten and oral departments. in additional tC
the original manual department. In the
manual department q system Of language
teaching is followed that is considered one
of the best ever devised. The entire indus
trial department is now on an educationa
basis. with paid instructors, instead of be-
ing run on a contract system. The simple
truth of the matter is that every depart
ment of the institution is in better condi-
ton now than before: that instead of be-
ing the. poorest big institution in the
country" as it was called by leader OF
the profession dozen years ago, ii is now
known to the profession as one of the best
These results have been brought about
by his labor. These facts will be borne out
by the testimony of every man in the State
who Is Informed d. on the subject and by
f. NJ. Galaudet, of Gallaudet College tht
National College for the Deaf. Washing
ton, d. c.: Superintendent Francis d
Clarke, of the Michigan School for the
Deaf; Superintendent S. Tefft Walker. OF
the Illinois School: Superintendent Noble
intendent Henry c. Hammond. of the
Kansas School; Superintendent William n
Burt, of the Pennsylvania School: Super
school; President PHilip G. Gillett. Of The
American Association to Promote the
Teaching of Speech to the Deaf All OF
ton within the past two years and al
know of 1t In the past. four Of them hav.
ing been teachers here
'NonpartiSan' argues that the way &c
judge a school for the deaf Is by the
number of its graduates who enter Gal.
laudet College. The argument is specious
Every class that has been graduated from
the Indiana school in the past five years
has had members who could have entered
Gallaudet College and taken its course had
they so desired. and il is known TO ouI
teachers that several would have done Sc
could they have borne the expense. To as.
sert that the deaf graduates of this schoo
eight of them by the way-forty-two boys
and fifty-six girls-instead of one TO two
hundred who are self-supporting may be
counted on ones fingers. is to assert wha'
Is contrary to facts. and what is an insult
TO the whole class of the deaf. as well as
a terrible arraignment OF the whole sys
tenn or educating them. NOnpartisan'
makes that assertion. j deny it, / know
personally every one of the eighty deaf
mutes who had been graduated from this
school since 1890, and know their condl
ton in life. Not one of them is Dependent
on charity for support. Almost without ex
ception the young men are living independ
ent of the help of relatives. Many of then
are married and supporting families. Som,
follow the trades they learned in schoo
and some do not. but all are honest, in
dustrious, God-fearing. Independent citi
Zens.
To 'Nonpartisan'' it is surprising tina
more populous States should have large
schools for the deaf than Indiana. Oddl,
enough. IL never struck me that way An
other OF his suggestions that has the meri
Of originality is that this school shout,
have a man at its head who has mad
this his lifework" Fourteen of the hes
years Of mans life spent i'm the en-
qualify him for his position. according I,
"Nonpartisan's" mode of thought. Yet
with all his originality. it has not dawne,
upon him that the institutions board O
control. its superintendent and its princi
pal are fully qualified TO decide the capa
bility of an employe-even better qualified
probably; than "Nonpartisan" himself
yes and fully qualified TO discharge al
incapable" If there be one, without hi
assistance.
Concerning the honor part" Of mon
partisans' communication. and his slight
ing references to the American Association
| to Promote the Teaching of Speech to tn
Deaf he might have gone a step farthe
and stated that MIR. Johnson was also
member OF the executive committee of TN
| National Conference of Superintendent
| and Principals. which is certainly no '.pri
! waite enterprise of DIR. A. G. Bell 1t is (
| be regretted that the urging OF reforr
| qualified to speak. and il is also TO be re
| GREETED that those want reform most hav