The times., 1900-04-01


far the blind established throughout this /
country. but. unfortunately while they I
teach the pupils trades and occupations I
they do not provide for their future con-
duct in the world when they have letl the (
precincts Of the school TO fight he battle ,
of life. The pupils are discharged az the I
aee oi eighteen. and 10 applicant over
ihaj age can obtain admission 20 the
school.
The fact viii doubtles- occur io every
one that the world can afford no moro pa
thctir or helpless spectacle than that oi
blind person without some guiding hand
40 direct into the proper channels the iA-
dustrial ability which the preparatory
school may have instnled. one who is
blind without friend OF relative. go mat
ter how gifted. is stin absolutely depen-
dent until the helping hand is stretched
forth. and o career of honorable employ
meut offered to those who would otherwise
De reduced TO a condition Of pauperism.
Il is TO offer this helping hand TO the
adult blind that the Aid Association for
the Bliud" in this city was formed. The
home OF the association at sl5 z Street
the gift Of Mr Stilson Hutchus. affords
snectacIe TO the visitor OF a noble institu-
ton in its incipiency. The building. admi-
fably adapted for its purpose, is capable
,,f accommodating thirty inmates, whine at
present the number consists OF but six.
The industries taught and practiced in
the home are chiefly broom and mattress
making and chair Gaming. The work accom-
plished is sold in the store on the Z Street
front Of The building and in all cases the
visitor or prospective purchaser inspecting
the specimens Of haudiwork exhibited for
sale in the store finds il difficult 10 believe
that they are the result of blind labor.
A visit to the workroom. which is located
lIpop the second floor OF the building Is one
OF much interest. Here one sees the blind
laborers in one room putting the straw
through the preliminary course Of prepa-
ration previous to its being sent TO another
room for conversion into brOoms The blind
men show the greatest interest in their
work and get along together in the most
perfect harmony. The process Of prepar-
ing the straw for the labor Of the broom
maker is an intricate one and Involves sew
eral mechanical processes requiring the
most delicate handling The deftness with
which these are prosecuted by the sight
less workmen is admirable and their salts
faction after accomplishing good piece Of
work enjoyable TO contemplate.
Afer the straw is prepared il is sent to
another room which contains all the need
Tul mechanical appliances for making the
finished broom. This part Of the labor is
0rk that is done with great despatch and
neatuess- These blind w0rkmen have in
some instances only recently been visited
with their sad affection One man, about
forty years OF age. said TO the reporter that
he had been blind only four years and
previous tC that time had never seen OF
heard how broom was made. Yet the
specimens OF handicraft he produced were
models Of skill and he seemed perfectly
resigned and contented i'm his occupation.
one very old man at the home is ex-
empt from labor and is perfectly cheerful
and happy under the excellent treatment
accorded him. He is especially proud of
the decora lions and furniture in his room
and always asks his visitors what they
think Of the appearance Of his apartment.
4 NoH-Sectarian Institution.
The institution is wholly non-sectarian.
u is practically self-supporting with the
exception Of an appropriation Of s.. 600 re-
oeiyed from the District for the suppo.;
OF he blind. Thus the profits derived from
the sale OF the work turned out by the
blind really supports the institution and
al the same time helps to pay of the
mOrtg gage which is now levied upon the
premises.
blind person who is able to work is
expected to do so. II he has not been
taught a trade at a school be is initiated
into the mysteries Of broom or mattress
making and he thus becomes a supporting
factor of the institution. r. however. a
friendless blind man. incapacitated by age
OF otherwise for labor apply for admis-
sion. he is at once admitted, providing Of
course. be is a resident Of the District OF
Columbia as the institution being cup
ported TO a certain extent by the District
funds cannot admit residents Of other
places In fact. most States have pro-
vided literally for the support OF their
blind. Connecticut has appropriated Sj7.-
O00 Tor this purpose. and the District OF
Columbia is said to be almost unique in
its comparatively small provision for this
purpose.
There are two stories above that devote ed
To the worlSroom. On the first Of these Is
located the dormitories OF the female ant
mates. which are beautifully furnished and
very neat and cheerful in appearance
Each Of these rooms is taken by some
charitable institution or private individual
by whom the apartment IS papered. car
peted and furnished and the comfort ol
those occupying them is well ensured The
=
cf be men These apartments are gener.
ally fragrant with tobacco. as the weed
contrary 10 some opinions. furnishes
most grateful solace 10 the sightless.
The corresponding secretary of the asgo
citation. Mrs Alice ". Hunt. 10 whose e.
forts the institution is largely indebted
for its present existence IS most euerget
t. in searching for cases throughout thI
city which may be relieved. and &c is e
haH ha fer To- frf IA HF
Of he home were taken from the aims
house and placed in their present comfort
able quarters
Mr. r. Z Cleaveiand. Superintendent @
the CONNECTICUT Industrial Home for IN,
Blind has rented the workship Of the as
-ocistion Tor the sum Of SO month an,
uses the profits therefr0m in furtheru:
plans for The beJterment OF the blind Of thD
District The institution derives a fur
ther rental from a stable iu the rear Of tn
building and this source Of revenue com
bined with he District appropriation an,
the rem derived from the workshop IS jus
about sufficient 10 pay the mortgage upo
she building occupied by the association
Mr. cleveland says Mrs. Hunt -ha
unfortunately created false impression
g. The public mind in z statement which h
lately made 10 the effect that the DstrC
has agreed with the association 20 proyid
Tor the blind persons sent to the HON
and thar assistance is only solicited by q
f9r the purpose Of paying of our mort
gage.
THE amount which the District can pa
FOR the support Of the blind is for the cur
rent fiscal year 81 600. Al best this wi
provide for only three or four persons q
she rates agreed upon. while the capacit
OF he hame which the Aid Association not
Possesses thanks to the benedcence OF Nj