The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-21
EDUCATION OF THE BLIND.
Views of the superintendent of Char
tiles on the Subject.

| lbes On tne suDJect.
The District Commissioners have re-
ceived the report of Herbert W. Lewis,
| Superintendent of Charities of the District
of Columbia, on House bill No. 43i7. TO
whom it was referred for an opinion. This
! bill provides for the education of the
blind in the District OF Columbia, and for
other purposes. The bill was referred to
the Commissioners from the House COM
mittee for examination and report, end
was by them referred to Mr.. Lewis.
In his. report the Superintendent Of
| Charities states that he did not feel him
self competent to pass on the bill with
| the knowledge In his possession at the
time the bill was placed in his hands.
| Accordingly, he took time to correspond
with those engaged in the instruction of
\ the blind, with the officers OF various in
| situations for higher learning, and with
| the association OF blind persons with whom
| the bill originated. BY this means Mr.
| Lewis hoped TO inform himself upon the
subject and be able to frame satisfactory
| report. He found. however, that there
was no fixed understanding among inter-
ested persons as to just what ought to be
done.
The bill, in brief, provides for the crea
ton OF a national commission of three
persons TO be appointed by the President.
with the consent OF the Senate. TO assume
control in an extraordinary degree of the
primary. secondary, and higher education
Of the blind. and to pay the expenses OF
such education, so far as the commission
may determine, from Federal appropria-
tion.
The primary and secondary education
of the blind child" says Mr. Lewis, lis
now generally accomplished in State in
situations. 1t is not proposed to interfere
with these schools. but TO supplement their
work and to secure like advantages for
blind children from the District OF CO.
lumbls and the Territories. 1t Is further
intended to give TO such graduates of the
State schools as exhibit special capa-
hilities all necessary assistance and main
tenance while attending some college or
university in competition with students
not deprived OF the sense OF sight.
1T is claimed that the means Of COM
munication with and among the blind are
such that, without great inconvenience or
extensive modification OF courses OF study.
blind students can make satisfactory prog
ress In college, and can complete the pro-
fessional courses with credit. 1t is also
claimed that since the blind must COM
peIt Win lTF ettlub III DuSlntSS anu DTO-
fessional life they should receive their
business and professional training in the
same schools as are open to those who are
to be their competitors. The segregation
of the blind as a class and the attempts
to prepare them for the successful prac-
tice of professions in a special college
would be not only failure but would
effect the exaggeration OF their peculiarities
so as to unfit them for association on equal
terms with their fellowmen.
THE reasonableness of these views is
apparent and that they are correct is con
nrmed by experience. AS to the plan,
therefore. TO provide for the higher educs-
ton in college or universities Of capable
graduates OF the State schools. It appears
to be correct in theory and presents no in
superable difficulties in practice
whatever necessity may exist for the
provision of educational facilities for blind
children in the Territories. should be met.
There is no reason why blind child should
be left to grow up in ignorance because it
happens to be born or to reside in Il part
of the United States not organized as a
state. For the District OF Columbia ap-
propriate advantages are afforded blind
children in the school for the blind in
Baltimore, but an occasion might arise in
which ability to attend professional
school would be OF great benefit to a grad
uate OF the Maryland school from the Dis
trct.
so far. then. as concerns the work which
the proposed national commission is eN-
pected to do. II is most creditable to those
who devised the plan and are now urging
its adoption. AS to the manner of its ac-
complishment, the provisions OF the bill
require careful consideration. In the first
place. IL appears probable that the officers
of the various schools for the blind will
be quite as competent TO decide which and
how many OF their graduates may properly
be sent on to institutions Of higher educa-
ton at public expense as any commission
of three acting through a secretary. The
attempt to decide such questions eQuitably
as between States and fairly as to indi-
viduals by a national commission proposes
superhuman qualifications and lays the
foundation for discord and contention.
1T may also be doubted whether a Fed
eral appropriation applied to the education
and maintenance of men and women in
institutions OF higher learning, after they
have received their primary, grammar
school. and preparatory courses, also at
pubxc expense for both tuition and main
tenance. will do more good than harm.
THE intention to use the proposed ap-
Precipitation for The maintenance OF stu
dents. places the whole plan within the
domain of public charity subjects it to
unavoidable limitations. and opens the way
TO demands for participation in its benefits
as though that were a right Thus II
raises the old question 10 which no general
answer has ever been given which would
bear the test of experience. We do not
know where TO draw the line between the
charity which stimulates and helps, ard