The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-11
THE WHITE INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND
IN THE HANDS OF A NEGRO.

The following letter to the editor OF
this paper was written by Mr.. w. Nj.
Saunders, a well known and prominent
citizen of Smithfed:
Mr.. Josephus Daniels, Editor News and
Observer, Raleigh, n. c.
Dear Sir: / have had some correspon-
dence with Prof. Ray, Superintendent
of the institution for the blind, at Raj
eigh. North Carolina. relative to the edu-
cation of my little daughter, who. infer
tunately,. is afflicted with bad eye sight
At one time l feared the condition of the
child's eyes would force me to place hel
under the tuition of Mr.. Ray, but for
tunately the skillful treatment of my
physicians. Drs. Lewis and Battle. has,
/ hone. relieved me of this melancholy
necessity.
My correspondence with Mr.. Ray has
lead me to make some inquiry in refer
ence to the management of this great
institution, and to my utter establishment
and shame. / have been Informed that
the chairman of the Board of Directors
of this institution, in which are educated
the blind white children of North Caro-
lima. is James III. Young, negro poll
tician. / write to inquire of you if my
information is correct, and if correct.
to request you to state explicitly the du-
ties and powers of this negro politician
over these unfortunate white children.
Yours truly,
WIN. NJ. SAUNDERS.
Jim Young is not officially known as
he is the chairman and the whole out
fit. That place is filled by one George l..
Tonnoffski, n yariegated politician. who
has not failed in any Instance to do
what Jim Young wanted done. At one
meeting of the board, when things were
not going exactly to his notion Jim de-
termined to break a quorum, and turning
to Tonnoffski said to him: "Come on.
George, let's CO." And George meekly
got up and followed his political boss.
This incident illustrates Jim's control of
the chairman and his management of
the white institution for the blind and
the colored institution for the deaf, dumb
and blind.
There is not an official in any of these
Young is the head of the directorate and
that Tonnoffski (they call him Turmoil
sky in Wake county, is merely .Jim's
agent to do his bidding In official
circles, the name of Tonnoffski appears
as chairman; in the practical operations
Of the board, Jim Young is az complete.
in
in New York are bosses Of the Republi-
can party.
In n contest over the election of IA
principal Of the colored institution, the
Governor showed that he wanted jim
Young to run the institution for he
named n director of Young's choice in
order to let Young elect a negro politi-
clan who has no fitness for the place
over n negro who was highly recon-
mended. Russell and Young were for
the unfit negro politician in preference
to the capable negro teacher That is a
sample Of the policy that has been pur-
sued. Negroes and defaulters have been
placed in positions Of trust that ough,
to be held by intelligent white men. and
when positions for negroes were to be
filled, no capable negro who had fitted
himself had any chance against a politi-
cal parson. That's the record that has
been made.
Writing of the debasement Of this in
stitution by Jim Young and his automa-