Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-14

cts. | hope that the Legislature will
reimburse them their actual expenses
as submitted in their report. To have
taken less of their time simply meant
that these large Improvements would
have been carried on without the actual
and active supervision of the Board.
At Concord it is absolutely necessary,
if the school is to be further conducted,
that they have a new general building.
The old building is entirely too small
and utterly inadequate for the work
required by tn institution. ! am con-
WINGED of this by personal inspection
of the building. 1t is old, in very bad
condition of repair, and not at all mt TO
carry on the educational work of the
State. / earnestly recommend to the
Legislature the erection OF another
general building.
WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOLS FOR
THE DEAF AND THE BLIND.
The report of the institution shows
that on the 18th of October, 1896. there
were 176 persons in the schools-l25
deaf and 81 blind. This institution has
been progressing very satisfactorily,
and seems to be doing it's work well.
II is now crowded BY the report OF
the Superintendent it will be seen that
the institution is up TO about its ca
pacity of inmantes. Something must
be done to avoid this further conges-
ton. The Superintendent suggests
the removal of the Deaf department,
and the Board Of Regents is OF the
opinion that the Blind department
L. cd G a matter
fact. | do not believe that either one
department or the other should De re-
moved. | have great Difference FOR the
opinions of these gentlemen, but pc
lieve. at this time, that the needs OF the
State in other departments are Tar
greater than here. do not believe, as
a matter of fact. that for long Whlle
il will be necessary to divide TINS
school. l certainly do not agree with
the Superintendent that there IS no
room for the further extension OF the
present buildings. If one is at all IA
miliar with the surroundings he VIII
understand that there is ample ground
for new buildings adjacent to the pres
ent site, and | shall most earnestly sus-
gest that if the question OIL paslurase
arises that it would be cheaper 10 puy
pasture field than building sites III
other parts of the State
The community in which this lnstl-
tuition is situated is one OF the most
enlightened in the State, and the loca-
ton is one of the most healthtul and
salubrious. and it is upon a railroad.
I do not. therefore, agree with the rec
concentrations that there be division
of the school. or that either one part
or the other should be removed from
this splendid location. | agree with
the recommendation of the Superln-
tendent that provision ough to be
made for the water supply, and the
sum demanded is only very small.
WEST VIRGINIA COLORED INSTI-
TUTE.
The last two years of this institution
have been very prosperous and the
work Of the faculty has been most eX-
cellent and worthy to be commenced
by every one. In no instance in this
State. white or black, has there been
greater progress in the efficiency OF the
work done and in the general career
Of the institution. Since my last mes
sage there have been unmber OF I'M
movements. and number OF mechan-
zeal appliances have been introduced
and active industrial work has been
inaugurated.
A girls dormitory is absolutely de-
manded The buildings are inadequate
for the present demand. The at
tendance for 1895 was 10, an increase
nj. 30 per cent. over the attendance OF
the preceding year. A number OF APP
plications for admission were refused
on account of lack of dormitory room
and the number of applications is very
much greater this year than last year
I do not believe that the States money
can be better expended than by eco
nomicallv expanding it for this lnstl-
tuition. The education of our colored
nonulation is of vital interest to the
citizens of this State. | believe that
every effort should be vigorously pros
ecuted towards making them enllghten-
ed citizens of our country. ! 90 not
believe that this State should allow
an. person. white or black, TO be re-
fused admittance to his respective IN
stitution by reason Of want of accom-
modations. We believe that economy
can he better carried out in any other
institution than in the schools OF the
State
AS the policy of the State has been
to educate the colored people, my the
orv is that we should do it we'll and
7 hone that the recommendations OF
the hoard will be adopted so as 10
increase the efficiency of this lnstltu-
ton. ,,,.
Its fiscal affairs have been splendidly
managed. and work upon the buildings
has been most economically and care
fully looked after, and | desire TO eX-
press my thanks to the Board oil Re
gents for their efficient labor.
BIJrEFIELD COLORED INSTITUTE.
The sum of $4,000 was appropriated
for this work, and board was ap-
nointed in compliance with the law.
The board has procured necessary
grounds for s.. 900 and have construct
cd a very good building at a cost of
e. 9S5. The construction was very
carefully looked after and the property
IS very suitable for the work. Ihe
institution was organized, teachers
selected and the work has commenced
With three teachers, and | join In the
recommendations of the board for an
appropriation to carry it into efficient
operation.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
As I have pointed out elsewhere the
progress of the State in the matter OF
free schools has been uneXampled.
Our taxes have been low and our
schools ha~c hc2c source OF great
pride to tEc State. Notwithstanding
=, .5,rf,,l DrOpreSs which has been