The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1900-09-01

IuulHs
To the Press OF Missouri;
Want Of proper information con-
cernIng this school has been The cause
Of many blind children growing up In
ignorance, when they might have been
educated and fitted 10 earn a support
for themselves.
The school has been established
since Feby. 9th, 1851. The title
"Blind Asylum" by which 1t is some
times called, is a misnomer that puts
The school in a wrong light and does
Il harm.
The blind Of the state should not be
deferred from taking advantage Of the
opportunity that the state offers here
10 become educated, because Of the be-
lief that the school, "home" or "hos-
pital" where the blind Of all sges and
conditions are admitted for treatment,
or that it is an asylum for the helpless
and infrm blind. The institution is
simply a part Of the great public
school system of the state. II is in no
sense a home or asylum, but simply a
school where the blind children Of the
state are admitted for a limited time
for the purpose Of being educated and
put in a position 10 do something for
themselves. The chief object Of the
school Is TO make the blind self-sustain-
ing. The several departments are nm
der the supervision of competent in
s%tructors, especially adapted TO the
work undertaken. In the literary de-
partment a thorough course is given in
all the elementary branches, as well as
in the branches Of a high school
course. In the department Of music an
extended course Is pursued in vocal and
Instrumental music as well as In theory,
harmony aud composition. In the
work department the boys are taught q
number Of useful trades, and the girls
: to sew, crochet, kat, aud do a variety
Of other useful work. The departments
Of physical culture and Kindergarten
ase features OF much Importance.
The school is supported entirely BY
appropriations make by the legislature
and is, therefore, strictly a state school.
Liberal provisions has always been
} made for its support, and there is nc
/ charge made for tuition or for board
= and lodging.
! Pupils must be provided with ample
clothing, and their expenses to and
from the school must be borne by the
parent or guardian.
Applicants for admission must be oil
good mental and physical capacity.
Those who are feeble minded or who
suffer such physical deformity or weak.
ness IS TO neeessitate special care, ar,
not admitted. None are received M.
der the age Of nine years, and while
. applicants are sometimes admitted AZ
old as twenty-four, they should b.
much younger The school being sup
ported by the state, none bat bona fdG
residents are admitted.
Attention Of the county clerks Of the
state is called to section 9770, X. S.
1899, which provides!
"rhe county clerk Of each county
shall certify to the Superintendent Of
the School Of Blind iB St. Louis. the
names Of all blind persons of school
age In his county, giving name, age,
sex and color. and the name and post
Office address Of parent or guardian Of
such persons"
j. n. Holmes, President, Piedmont
E. c. Waters, Yice-presideni, Van.
dalia; Jas. c. Jones, Secretary, 81,
Louis VIM. JEFF Pollard, Treasurer,
St. Louis; DIR. j. Harvey Moore,
oculist, st. LOUIS s.. NJ. Green,
superintendent.