The evening times., 1900-03-13
TO EDUCATE THE Blind
Mr.. Mason Introduces a Bill for a
National Commission.
Its Three Members to BE Appointed
by the President-The SiehtIess tn
Receive the Best of Instruction.
An Appropriation of $4,000 Re
quired TO Carry on the Work.

Mr.. Mason has introduced in the Senate
a bill to provide for the education of the
blind under the supervision OF national
commission. BY the terms of the bill the
National Commission fer the Education OF
the Blind is created a body corporate and
polite with the powers and rights usually
vested in such bodies, but it is provided
that no real or personal property shall he
held by the corporation except such as
may be necessary TO the discharge OF the
purposes Of it's 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, enc of whom shall be
appointed to serve for the term OF six
years, one for the term of four years, and
one for the term of two years, and their
successors shall each be appointed to serve
for the term OF six years, respectively
provided that not more than one of the
commissioners shall be appointed nom the
same State or Territory, and that not
more than two OF the commits sioners shall
belong to the same political party.
The bill further provides that the COM
mission shall have full charge of the edu-
OF Columbia and of the several Territories
of the United States and shall afford TO
all such blind persons of suitable age and
physical and mental condition Tor re
ceiying instruction good common Schooi
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
- - sfrn
serve 10 fit such students TO pursue any
remuneratiye calling or profession.
All the expenses OF atlording the educa-
tion provided for, including tuition fees.
support of students, and so forth, is TO
be betrayed out of the moneys appropriat-
cd for the use of the commission. BIND
persons residing in the several states are
10 be afforded the same advantages oil ac-
auiring a higher education by this COM
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 py
the commission, together with so much OF
the expense of their support when indig-
ent and while attending college or other
institution of higher learning as shall be
authorized By the board.
The education provided for is 20 be al
forded by placing children in such prlma-
ry schools as the commission shall deem
+ most desirable. and by enabling students
/ TO attend such universities, colleges, con-
I servatorieS. or other institutions as the
. students may select; provided, that the
! commission is satisfied that each inSutu-
/ ton 50 selected will he best calculated TO
fl such student for the vocation he Oh she
desires to follow.
The commission viii have power 10
. charge a reasonable compeusa ion for the
education of all students who shall apply
for education under its supervision and
; assistance Who are able and willing 10 pay
fer their education provided that the com
pensation so charged shall not exceed the
amount paid out On account OF the students
bv the commission plus a reasonable
charge for he use of books, apparatus, anu
so forth.
II is also given power to appoint such
ether officers. agents or employees as may
be necessary to the successful discharge o.
lis mission TO define their duties, 10 N
their compensation, TO remove ana ols-
charge them whenever. in their Judgment
the welfare OF the service demands, anC
10 make all nes ssary bylaws. rules, anC
regulations for the reception. management
: superyision. or control of students and tt
purchase such appliances, books, and s.
forth, as may be necessary in its work o
education.
/ The commissioners ere 10 each receive
as compensation for their services the sun
Of s. per day for the time. not 10 exceed
forty days in any one year, actually an'
necessarily occupied by them in the dis
I charge Of their official duties.
The bill also provides that the commits
sion shall establish its Office ut Washington
or at some other convenient point. whicl
/ shall be in charge Of its secretary. an
which shall be at all times open to III
public: that it shall be its duty to repor
/ 10 the Secretary of the Interior the condi
tlon of the institution on the first day O
July in each year, embracing in the repor
the number of pupils of each description
received and discharged during the preced
ing wear and the number remaining i
charge of the commission; also tn
, branches of knowledge and industr
taught and the progress made therein
, also a statement showing the receipts {
the commission and from what sources re
ceiyed and it's disbursements and fo
A what objects expended.
I The sum of S75. Geo is appropriated by tn
r bill to carry into effect its provisions.