The evening times., 1900-03-13
TO EDUCAqG THE Blind
Mr.. Mason Introduces a Bill for a
National Commission.
Its Three Members to BE Appointed
Receive the Best of Instruction.
An Appropriation o" S15.OOO Re
guired to Carry ON the Work.

Mr.. Mason has Introduced in the Senate
a bill to provide for the education Of the
blind under the supery sion OF a national
commission. b.. the terms OF the bill the
National Commission 9or the Education OF
the Blind is created : body corporate and
polite with the powers and rights usually
vested in such bodies. but il Is provided
that no real or personal property shall be
held by the corporation except such as
may be necessary TO the discharge Of the
purposes Of its creation.
The commission is to consist OF three
members who shall be appointed by the
President. by and with the advice and en-
sent Of the Senate. one OF whom shall be
appointed TO serve for the ter OF six
years. one for the term Of four years. and
one for the term OF two years, AID their
successors shall each be appointed to serve
ICr the term OF six years respectively:
provided. that not more than one OF the
commissioners shall be appointed fTom the
same State or Territory, and that rot
more than two Of the commis sioners shall
belong to the same political party
The bin further provides that the COM
mission shall have full charge OF the edu-
cation Of all blind residents OF the District
OF Columbia and Of the several Territories
OF the United states, and shall afford 20
all such blind persons OF suitable age and
physical and mental condition for re-
ceiving instruction a good common school
education. and to such persons as shall
manifest a capacity for higher education
a complete course Of college or university
education, including music, law, medicine,
and such other branches Of learning as
shall, in the opinion Of the commission.
serve 10 fit such students 20 pun sue any
rem lucrative calling or profession.
Al! the expenses of afording the educa-
tiOn provided for. including tuition fees.
support Of students, and so forth. is to
be betrayed out Of the moneys approp- ~
cd for the use Of the commission. L ID
persons residing in the several States are
10 be afforded the same advantages Of ac-
quring a higher education by this con-
mission as are provided for residents Of
the District OF Columbia and the Terri
tories Of the United States and the costs
OF tuition Of the students are TO be paid b.
the commission, together with so much OF
the expense Of their support when indig-
ent and while attending college OF other
institution OF higher learning as shall be
authorized by the board
The education provided for is 20 be az
forded by placing children In such prima-
most desirable and by enabling students
90 attend such universities colleges, con-
servat0ries or other Institutions as the
students may select. provided that the
commission is satisfied that each inS;itu-
ton 50 selected will be best calculated to
90 such student Tor the vocation he o. she
desires to follow.
The commission Will have power 10
charge "a reasonable compensation for the
education of an students who shall apply
for education under It's supervision and
assistance Who are able and willing % pay
fer heir education. provided that the com
pcnsation so charged shall not exceed the
amount paid ouy on account OF the students
by the commission plus a reas5 5aa bic
charge FOR the use Of books, apparatus. anu
4 so forth.
u is a.so given power to appoiu, such
other officers. Agents. or employees as may
. be necessary 20 the successful discharge OF
. ils mission. TO define their duties. to fix
4 their compensation, to remove and dis
charge them whenever, in their Judgment.
the welfare OF the service demands, ard
+ 10 make all ueB ssary bylaws. rules. gud
! regulations for the reception. management,
! supervision. or control of students and 10
purchase such appliances. books. and so
. forth. as may be necessary in It's work o.
t education.
The commissioners ere 10 each receive
/ as compensation for their services the sum
/ or s. per day for the time. not TO exceed
. forty days iu any one year, actually and
. necessarily occupied by them In the dis
T charge OF their official duties.
The bill also provides that the comm Sc
sion shall establish its Office 40 Washington
. or at some other convenient point which
shall be IN charge OF fits secretary. and
which sk@ll be al all times open 10 the
+ public, that it shall be its duty to report
+ TO the Secretary OF the Interior the condi-
I ton of the institution on the first day of
/ July in each year embracing in tho report
/ the number OF pupils Of each description
/ received and discharged during the preced
! ing year and the number remaining in
charge Of the commission. also the
branches OF knowledge and industry
taught and the progress made therein
also a statement showing the receipts OF
the commission and from what sources re-
| ceived. and its disbursements and for
what objects expended
The sum OF $50 OO0 is appropriated by the
/ bill to carry into effect its provisions.