The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-07
THE D. AND ,. rxsrrrurE.

The biennial report to the Governor of the Board of Trustees of the Ala bamaS School for the Deaf and Blind shows that splendid work is beipg done by that fine institution It is printed by the pupils of the Deaf School and is a highly creditable illustration of the typographical excellence of their training. The enrolment of the Deaf School for whites for 1s05-os was 1884, represented by pupils from forty-eight counties. The enrollment in the white school for blind for 1so5-os was ninety seven from thirty-fve countie.
 The negro deaf and blind pupils for fso5-0s number twenty-two deaf and thirty-two blind from .twenty-one .coun- ties.
 The State has no institution deserv- ing of more consideration than this great charitable work, so well conduct ed at Talladega. The unfortunate chill dren to whom life would otherwise be burden, are taught how to be self sustaining and to draw comfort and pleasure from life. They receive in- struction in various branches of learn ing and are taught good trades. The doors of the institution are open Co all the afflicted ones. but there Is great need for more room and for more of the things necessary to complete success.
 The President of the Board of Trusri tees, speaking for himself and associ- ates, says:
 Prompted by a growing pupilage the Board of Trustees and the principal in their reports for several years past .have earnestly appealed for appropria- lions for additional buildings and equip ments absolutely needed for the proper attendance. From time to time appro- priations have been made, but not in sufficient amounts to meet the needs of these rapidly growing institutions.
 Four years ago an appropriation of $45,000 was made by the Legislature for the benefit of these schools. but in the opinion of the Chief Executive the condition of the. Treasury at that time would not admit of this expendi- ture. an amended bill was passed giv- ing to the schools the sum of $20,oO0. When the Board of Trustees came to earnest deliberatfon 1t was thought best to erect a dormitory for boys at the School for the Deaf as this would re- lease some floor space in other build trial purposes Having come to this decision the Board was confronted with the fact that the amount available would only. provide dormftory space for about 100 boys. and this number was already enrolled in the institution. In order to provide for the natural in- crease of the next four years. and to provide for some necessary school rooms and hospital rooms, it was decided to build a larger building than the funds in hand would complete. This was done and in doing so the Board has been obliged to encroach upon the main tenance fund. and also to, contract a debt of some thousands of dollars. The exact amount of this deficit will be set out elsewhere in this report In the Board was actuateo solely by an earnest desire to speedily serve the best interests of the schools as we'll as that of the State. The Board is not sponsibility thus assumed but confident that their action was for the best in- terest of all concerned. they confident ly claim the necessary relief at the to your excellency praying that you re- commend to the Legislature that such relief be given them.
 The Board not only earnestly prays above but comes asking at the hands of the Legislature for additional ap- propriation sufficient to supply the cry ing needs of these institutions to en- able them to maintain and to advance the high standard of efficiency to which the great State of Alabama Is entitled and should demand The report of the principal will set out these needs in detail and the Board of Trustees is pre- pared to vouch for the correctness of his statements and heartily, endorse his plans. and come asking all of the help you can give them in their efforts to build up these deserving institutions.
 The time has come when the wealth of the State is increasing by leaps and bounds, a proportionate Increase in pop ulation Is sure to follow and an in. creased pupilage at the State schools is an inevitable result, the appropria- ton asked for will be needed to give the State schools for her deaf and blind. properly equipped to care for and in- struct |them by the best improved methods. Alabama Is entitled to this much and should not be satisfied with less