Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-02-22
THE VISIT OF INSPECTION
or the Legislative Committee to the State
Institution at Romney.

Readers of the Register are familiar
with the effort to divide the mutes and
blind at the State institution at Romney,
and to establish a school for the latter in
Wheeling. The adverse report of the
committee Of the State Legislature is also
familiar. 1t furnished the basis for an
editorial in the last issue Of the Tablet,
published at the Romney institution,
which is given in full below:
The Legislative Committee made US a
visit Of inspection week before last. They
seemed favorably impressed with what
they saw but we learn from the papers
that they have reported against the pro-
position to separate the schools. We have
not seen the full text of the report, but the
seasons assigned for this decision, in the
brief synopsis published are, first the de-
mand for economy in public expenditures,
and secondly. the fact that, in their Judg-
ment the necessity for separation vii
not arise until there is an increase in the
number Of pupils in attendance. As 10 the
matter of economy We are not sufficiently
advised in regard TO the condition of the
State treasury to speak authori;atively
on the subject. We were under the impress
sion. however. that the financial condition
of West Virginia was as good, or better
than that Of any other State in the Union
II practically owes no debt, and its wealth
and resources are almost boundless. Our
views on this point though. may be de-
lusive. At any rate. our statesmen are in
a better position to decide all matters per
tanning to the States finances than we are
As TO the second reason, we are forcibly
reminded Of a story we once herd Of a
young man living in a neighboring town
10 the one in which we were reared. His
father told him to 20 into the cellar Of his
store and draw a jug of molasses. In a
little while he came running upstairs and
said: PA, the jug is full; must I fill it
any fuller?" Now, if anybody will eX-
plain how we can have an increase Of
numbers. when we are already full, We
should be thankful 10 have him solve the
problem. There have been so many eN-
pert opinions delivered Of late on this sub
iect. that perhaps some one can be found
who can prove the falsity Of the generally
accepted philosophical opinion that it is
impossible for two bodies to occupy the
same space at the same time.
If we have been lahoring under delu-
sion in regard TO this principle. and it is
possible for two boys or girls 10 sit. eat
sleep etc. in the same place, which would
formerly only accommodate one. then We
have room for indefinite expansion; other
wise "the sky will fall and catch larks
before these schools are separated, because
their separation is made dependent upon
a condition which is an absolute impossi-
bility. with our present accommodations.
AS matters now stand. we shall have TO
exclude from school twenty-five or thirty.
now on our rolls. TO say nothing of those
who may apply in the future.
However. if the powers that be decide
that a combined school is best for the deaf
and the blind. then all we have TO do is TO
acquiesce in their Judgment. however much
we may dissent from their views. and try
10 make the best Of what We are bound 10
regard as an unfavorable condition Of
things, trusting that the time will even
tually come when an enlightened public
sentiment will demand that the best pos
sible educational advantages be given 10
these afflicted classes.