The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-31

ming is resident superintendent in depart Inent for white blind and MT. J. s. Graves for department for negro deaf and blind.
 For years the people were either indif- ferent or unaware of the wonderful fa- cilities provided by the State of Alabama for the education of these unfortunates. There was no ready response to the ef- forts made to better their condition and for twenty years or more there was an average attendance of deaf and blind of not exceeding seventy-five children. This has been changed for the actual att tendance of white children is now more than three times that number.
 The school for the deaf is conducted up- on what is known as the combined sys- tenn For purposes of instruction the teachers resort to the manual alphabet the sign language, lip reading and speech Considerably more than 50 per cent. or the pupils are given the benefit of in struction in speech. A great many Of the pupils were admitted on the first Of last September, and they were absolutely ignorant. The progress they have made is great and in some instances wonderful All of them have learned to write, and it is safe to say better than any children in the State of Alabama who have been taught the same length of time. It must be remembered that when they came here they were as to language as helpless as infants. and they have already acquired sufficient language to furnish convenient vehicle of communication between themselves and their instructors. The larger ones in the institution are doing as good average work as is done in the grammar schools of the State. |.
 It should be noted that there Is entire separation of girls and boys except in the class rooms. They make the same pro gress in the classes, but are taught diff ferent ocupations. This is a part of the educational system and a most useful part of 1t, for the unfortunates who are de- prived of the blessings of sight or speech, are certainly as much entitled to the benefit of knowledge as their more fortunate brothers and sisters.
 Boys in the deaf school receive instruc- ton in printing. shoemaking, cabinet and carpenter work, house painting, vegeta- ble and landscape gardening. The print ing office here is the cleanest in the State and the little printers are adopts In the business under the excellent training or MT. Osce Roberts. The weekly paper they publish, The Messenger, is model of typographical excellence. The carpen- ter work done by the pupils who study for a trade is something almost marvellous The same can also be said as to results from the shoe shop. from which all re- pairing of shoes for the entire school Is done.
 The girls in this school are taught homework, plain and machine sewing, dress making and fitting. etc. There is not room enough for cook ing school. The best evidence of training is to be seen in the neat and beautiful way in which this institu- tion Is kept much of the work being done by the pupils. They make largely their own clothes and keep their bed clothing and articles about their rooms in perfect condition. They are taught to be absolutely neat and they cannot help be- ing industrious, even if they felt other wise Parents at home are getting more and more in the habit of sending cloth here for their children and it is then made up by them.
 At the school for the blind, 1t Is pro- posed to give the pupils a practical Eng fish education as good as that to be ob- tained in the public schools of the State, and the course includes the branches usually taught therein. Much attention is given to music, for MT. Johnson says on this subject, "There is no means by which a blind person can more readily or more pleasantly make a living than by following the profession of music. The idea however, that all blind persons are musical, Is as fallacious as 1t Is wide- spread the proportion of natural musi- clans among the blind Is no greater than among the seeing, and to think that it Q people believe the blind to be precocious and peculiar when they are neither" The boys are taught mattress making, cane seating, collar making, basket mak- ing, piano tuning and repairing, etc. The girls also learn cane seating, sewing,
 knitting, crocheting, house cleaning. bead work etc. It may be well for the pub lie to learn that MT. Johnson says these several trades are run solely for the pur- pose of benefiting the pupils, and While there Is some little revenue from some Of the branches of trade they are without exception run at an expense, but this IS not allowed to stand in the way of the best interests of the pupils. The pro- vision made for instruction in each branch is frst-class, the trades being carried on in the same way as the literary and mu- sical departments. We consider the in dustrial department equally as import ant as the educational department. The average deaf mute or blind person who has no trade to rely upon is almost cer- tain to make a failure in life. Many such, who could never hope to command more than from $S to $15 per month as common laborers, with their trades learn ed in school often make that much per week"
 The State furnishes everything during school term from September to June ex- cept transportation and clothing. In cases of extreme indigence exceptions are
 made but the cost on this score is grow ing less each year.
 Every provision is made for the safety
 of the children in case of fire. There are
 faithful atter 1Gnts in every dormitory but
 the greatest precaution is taken against
 trouble from fire. There is q perfect hose equipment and water pressure Is suf- ficient to go over the tops of the build
 ings There should, however, be a com plete system of steam heating. Espe- cially is this a need in the blind depart ment and it is expected to provide It out
 of the bill which now awaits the Gov ernor's signature.
 It is a great pleasure to note with what affection the children greet MT. Johnson:
 the superintendent. They seem to feel and know that he is their faithful friend and guardian while in the institution. Amy
 wealth of love as these children mani fest for him. Their parents need not
 fear that their little ones will suner
 hero. Their every want is supplied and every effort put forth to make them useful and happy.
 The present term will close June lZth and exercises be resumed September ISL The Board of Trustees of the institution is composed of w. D. Jelks, Governor, ex- officio; |. w. Hill. Superintendent of Education, ex-officio; William Taylor, l Tanadega County; J. B. McMtllan, Tal- ladega County; J. c. Webb. Marengo | County; w. w. Screws. Montgomery County; John B. Lyons, Lee County; G. A. Joiner Talladega County; A.J. DrlVer' | Chambers County; M. B. Cameron, Sum 1 ty; T. M. Hobbs, Limestone County; T.. ~