The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-11

clearly with the eye Of the mind2 Did
you ever realize that il is 10 the sense
of hearing and not to the sense OF sight
that we are indebted for the invention Of
the telegraph and telephone and that a
seeing man when connected by telephone
with the business world in this relation
is no better of than a blind man would
be-
Blind men. as ciergymeu have attained
the greatest emiueuce. and as lawyers and
physicians have met with remarkable sue
cess. William z Cramer. Of Milwaukee.
as a Journalist. and AZ one time editor Of
the Albany Argus, takes rank among the
distinguished men in that vocation in
this country. How many are aware that
Herreshof the designer and builder Of the
Defender and Columbia is blind mani
Blind men have successfully engaged IN
printing. book-binding. telegraphy. farm
ing and mining typewriting, stenOgraphy.
crystal-cuttng. contracting and building,
TO say nothing OF the well-knOWn ayoca-
tons such as broom making, chair-cauing
mattress making. and. as musicians. who
stand higher than David Wood and Or.
Bschoh OF this city?
With so many examples of achieve
ments OF the blind and a thousand more
instances that might be cited. where Mind
men have overcome all obstacles and have
carved out for themselves succrs Sui
professional or business career. how is -
You ask that ninety-nine out OF every
hundred are dependent either upon friends
or the public and why is it that the blind
men most in evidence are mendicants or
the inmates Of almshOuses2 Is it not be
cause OF the vicious practice OF giving
aims
"pr NJ. an eminent divine. relates
that while standing on the sidewalk in
Philadelphia waiting for a friend to join
him ne took off his silk hat 10 cool his
head. and passer-by, noticing that he
was blind. dropped a nickel into it, His
intellectual face and general appearance
Of refinement and culture was no proJec-
ton against his being taken for a street
beggar.
MIR. Fawccit when a member Of Clad
stones Cabinet. calling on an eminent
lawyer took it for granted that the law
yer's cIerL knew him and neglected 10
send in his card. He overheard the clerk
say TO ms employer that a blind man
wished TO see him. The reply was. Give
him shilling and tell him ! am TOO busy
The embarrassment of the lawyer when
The clerk returned with the card of the
visitor q moment later and the profusion
1t apologies which followed may be read
lily imagined.
Training schools Important.
1t is important that training schools
for the adult blind should be established
and an opportunity for employment al
fordpd let every blind child come to
know that he is expected by his parents
his friends and he public to prepare him
self to take his place among the workers
in the world let il become SO thoroughly
understood by the people everywhere that
blindness Is no excuse for a life Of idle
ness and mendicancy. and that self-re-
spcct independence Of thought and &C
tion may be preserved even though the
sight be lost. and YOU viii make blindness
a thousand times easier to beear: empty
your almshOuses Of their blind inmates
and hand down TO posterity a blessing
which viii make glad the lives OF those
whose fate it. shall be to walk in darkness
in the centuries to come.
Il learn that over half a million dollars
have been expended in aid Of the grand
and noble work for the deaf and dumb
that they are leaving Gallaudet College TO
take their places as res Becte1 ami hOnOred
citizens ia all parts OF the land | find no
deaf and dumb beggars on the streets o.
Washington and yet I have Cn'y to 60
back to the lime when the ilustIious
father Of your houored citizens Dr. Ed
ward Miner Galla.set. began his work to
educate and eleya1- the deaf mutes of
enviable and G-ir cond lion - pi,j1h e. IS
ma uf the majority OF the 81 M t0las- L
it strange, thea, ii.at | should ia2uige he