Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-03-02
HELEN kELLAR
Joins in an Eloquent Ap-
peal for the Blind.
Could Dot Attend the LegisIa-
tive Hearing at Boston
Dt staiss b Letter Why a Commission
, Should Do Established.

ivy 0uVuUO ~ 6oS0UuuS8OUs
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Boston, March Lone OF the most
largely attended hearings as well as
one calling forth the support OF promi-
nent personages. held at the state
house during the present legislative
session. was that today in connection
with q bill calling for permanent un-
paid commission for the blind. Among
those who appeared were Geo. h. TUFTS
former state senator, Edwin d. Meads
and Rev. Edward Cummings. 1t was
expected that Henel Kellen, the famous
deaf. dumb and blind woman. would
be heard, but she was compelled by Ill
ness to remain at home. She sent a
letter. however, as did also Joseph
Choate, former ambassador at the
court OF st. James. and DR.. Lyman Ap-
bolt and DR.. F. Park Lewis OF New
York.
Miss Kellers letter follows:
"Wrentham, Mass. Feb. &c. 1906.
ITO the Honorable Senators and Rep
resenta4iyes of the Massachusetts
Legislatures:
..Gentlemen: My health does not
hermit me to come to the State House,
tomorrow, but l shall be there in
Thought and the words l write are the
words would speak.
"If YOU knew how patiently the blind
have awaited the report Of the COM
nission( I am sure you would give
heed to the bill that is before you. If
you realized how highly we appreciate
this practical. vigorous work that the
commission has done during three
years, you would be willing to contin-
ue and enlarge the work for the blind
and render 1t permanent and efficient.
The sightless, not only in Massachu-
sets, but in the whole United States,
are looking to you with new hope for
release from bondage of idleness and
despair. Suffer them not to sink under
the heavier burden OF disappointment.
but take the lead in making them USE
full. contented men and women.
I'VE ask that a permanent commits
sion be appointed to watch over the in
terests of all the blind and provide for
their many needs. The problem OF
helping the sightless to help themselves
is SO many sided and complicated it
ciel board.
investigation has shown that the
condition Of the blind can be anchor
ated In other ways beside the many
excellent provisions which have al
ready been made for blind children and
youths. Blind babies can often be SO
trained that they will commence school
life as healthy. well developed boys
and girls. Many of the adult blind can
be taught to produce useful and beau
tiful articles with the industry of their
hands and thus become wholly or par
TALLY self-suppOrting. The work of ex-
listing institutions can be supplemented
and their graduates assisted to find en-
ploynent. No one institution seems
able to cope with the complex problems
OF the blind as 4 class. We therefore
urge that permanent board be estab-
1iShed. which shall have supervision
over all the blind. see to 1t that they
obtain every advantage within their
reach and maintain a proper unity and
cooperation between the education of
children. the care OF infants, the en-
plOyment Of those who no longer go to
school and the sheltering of the aged
and inflrin. Only skilful management
by a special board can bestow the Of
forts Of the state in behalf of the blind
In such way that the greatest good
shall be secured to the greatest num-
Der OF sightless.
THE experiment station in Cam
bridge which was established express
~ to show the public some of the in
dustrfes open to the blind has fulfilled
Its function. so far as means have per-
mitted and its success is sufficient to
garrant our asking that an industrial
school for the blind be founded and
that the state maintain an cmployment
bureau. which shall find bread winning
occupations for them. whether they are
graduates from a school for the blind
or not. Generous provision for the
eiRhtless must be a gain not only to
them but also to the community and is
IN Keeping with the fundamental dec
Iaratton Of America, which guarantees
the right of all men to life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness.
Let IT still be said of Massachusetts
that she is the leader in American edu-
oaHoh snd the staunch champion of
"ue philan'hropy. which&frill not per-
mt praVe. useful citizen to Iosa
through innrmity the noble prerogatiye
Of labor.
Respectfully yours.
(signed) HELEN KELIAP"
One OF the speakers was Charles w
Holmes an aiumnus of the Perkins In
sutution Tor the Blind of this city and
u. present head master of the Eastern
Townships College of Music. which is
amhated!,with the Toronto College Of
Music Of which he is n fellow.
Miss kslIar Is Better.
Wrentham. Mass. March l.-Miss
Helen Keller. who today vase to have
appeared at the hearing at the State
Housce was said by a friend Ia no
showing great Improvement from the
recent collapse as the result of over
work BY which she was Frustrated.
Miss Keller and her friends feel con-
hoent that continued care and the
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