The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-28

In reply TO a letter from Mrs. 4. p.
for the Blind of the District, Major Syl-
vester Chief of Police, stated that the
| District is behind other communities in
| its provision for the care OF the sightless.
The object of the association of which
Mrs. Bracket is president is to provide
indoor employment for the blind Of Wash
ington. Major Sylvester heartily com
mends the suggestion. and states his will
| ingness to cooperate with the Organiza-
ton in accomplishing this end.
In his reply to Mrs. Bracket. he says:
THE law requires that the police shall
remove from the streets certain classes of
dependents and prevent the occupancy Of
public space for private purposes. and in
its enforcement those classes which are
subject to action should be dealt with in a
manner as public interests require, and at
the same time as humanely as possible.
Provision has been made for the sick,
for the deaf and dumb. for homeless chill
dren, for the aged and decrepit, for those
who may be mentally djsordered, for those
about TO become charges on the District,
who may have friends or relatives else
wherein fact every class excepting the
blind.
THE District of Columbia is behind 9TH
er communities with respect to the sight
less, who as class are far more capable
of helping themselves, with proper encour-
agement, than any of the others / have
named
Approaching their general honesty. abil-
ity. and intelligence, / have been slow in
removing them from public places, beliey-
ing that some kind of shelter and employ
ment would sooner or later be established
which would save them from the humili-
alton which would follow strict and i'm
partial action. If driven from the streets
and corners where they sell pencils and
novelties they would have to lake their
departure TO other cities apI ear in the
police court, or suffer for the necessaries
of life.
Your association of benevolent men and
women is an effort for their care pro-
lection, and indoor employment, and am
in thorough sympathy with the movement,
and will be pleased TO act as your treasu-
rer until your institution. which is to in
clude home and workshops. is inaugurated
You have had given you, through the
generosity OF Stilson Hutchins, esq. a
magnificent building for the purposes l
have named, on which l am informed you
must defray mortgage in reasonable
time. You have thoroughly repaired and
partly furnished it, at your own expense.
leasing an unfurnished floor TO Mr.. Cleaye-
land to employ your capable subjects at
broom and mattress making Those who
are too aged or infirm to work you pro-
pose TO care for and entertain.
In order to provide for those who must
leave the streets. IL is first necessary that
your home should be put under way and
sustained. 1t should be your first aim to
secure support for your building and
home, for without il there would he no
quarters for the proposed work in instTuc-
ton. The employment of the blind is con-
tingent on the success you have in main
tanning the building. The profits from the
as / understand it, accrue not
to you but to the person who conducts 1t.
You require funds for matron, fuel, and
supplies. and furniture. and / have no
doubt our always literally disposed citi-
Gems will gladly come to your rescue with
donations OF all kinds
Il wish you success with your project, |
and trust that money and donations for |
your home will be given literally and |
promptly. SO that you may first protect |
hose deserving and then advance to their |
proper training. that they may become |
self supporting in a measure at least
Il will give you a substantial contribu- |
ion toward the debt on your building, hope |
that others will do likewise. and that the |
lime is not far distant when Congress will |
assist ia the worthy cause"