The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-01
WANT INTERESTS
Of ALL THE BLIND
SAFEGUAROED


Bostsr, March l. - One OF the most
largely attended hearings as well as one
calling forth the support OF prominent
personages held at the state house dur
ing the present legislative session, was
that today in connection with bill in
for a permanent unpaid commission for
the blind Among thcste who appeared
Were George A. Tufts. former state sena-
tor Edwin d. Mead and Rev. Edward
Cummings
1t was expected that Helen Keller, the
famous deaf. dumb and blind woman.
would be heard, but she was compelled by
illness 10 remain at home. She sent
letter. however. as did also Joseph
Choate former ambassador at the court
OF St James. and DR.. lyman Abbott and
DR. f. Park Lewis OF New York.
Miss Keller's letter follows;
"Wrentham. Mass, Feb q, 1905.
ITO the Honorable Senators and Repre-
sentatives OF the Massachusetts, Legi'-
"Gentlemen-My health does not permit
me to come 10 the state house tomorrow.
but ! shall 90 there In thought and the
words | write are the words | would
speak.
"If you know how patiently the blind
have awaited the report of the commits
sion am sure You would give support 10
the bill that is now before YOU. II YOU
realized how highly we appreciate me
practical vigorous work that the COM
mission has done during three years you
would be willing to continue and enlarge
the work for the blind and render IL per-
manent and efficient.
,.The slghtless not only IN Massachusetts,
but IN the whole United States are look
ing TO you with new hope for release from
n bondage Of idleness and despair. Suner
them not TO think under the heavier bur
den OF disappointment but take the lead
in making them useful, contented men
and wsmen.
I'VE ask that permanent commission
be appointed TO watch over tho interest
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 requires the de-
voted attention OF a special board
investigation has shown that the con-
dition OF the blind can be amel.orated In
other ways beside the many excellent
provisions which have ALREADY been made
for blind children and youths. Blind ba-
bies can often be so trained that they
shall commence school life as heaithy.
well developed boys and girls. Many ~
the adult blind can be taught To produce
dustry OF their hands and thus become
wholly or partially self-supporting.
The work OF existing institutions can oe
supplemented and their graduates assisted
to find employment No one institution
seems able to cone with the complex prob
lens OF the blind as class. We there
fore urge that a permanent board be es-
tablsh which shall have supervision over
all the blind. see to IL that they obtain
every advantage within their reach ana
maintain a proped unity and co-ordina-
ton between tho education OF children,
the care OF infants, the employment or
those who no longer go TO school. and the
sheltering OF the aged and inhrm. Only
sklful management. by a special board
can bestow the efforts of the state In be-
half OF the blind In such way that ths
greatest good shall be obtained by tho
greatest number OF sightless
The experiment station in Cambridge.
which was established expressly TO show
the public some OF the industries open TO
the blind has fulfilled its function, so
far as means have permitted and Its sue
GEES is sufficient 10 warrant our asking
that an Industrial school for the blind
be founded and that the state maintain
an employment 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 sightless bust be n gain not only
TO them, but aleo 10 the community ana
Is I'm keeping with thief fundamental dec
laration OF America, which guarantees
the right all men to life. liberty and the
pursuit OF happiness
LET II still be said Of Massachusetts,
that she IL the leader In American edu-
cation and the staunch champion OF true
philanthropy. which will not permit
brave, useful citizen 10 lose through In
frmity the noble prerogatlve OF labor.
"Respectfully yours.
CSignedD HELEN KELLER
one OF the speakers was CnHrfrs w.
Holmes. an alumnus OF the Perkins In
etitute for the Blind OF this city. and az
present head master OF the Eastern Town
ship Couoge Of Music. which IL affiliated
with the Toronto College OF Music. %
which no is n fellow