New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-19

Club for Their Benefit Has Been IN
Eaistence q Year.

Ea7StenCG q ! car.
The Blind Mems Club of this city, composed
of men who have lost their sight, with an as
sociate membership list made up of those who
can see but who are DESTROYS of cooperating
with those who cannot, is about 10 celebrate the
first anniversary of its formation. on each
alternate Monday evening the club meets in the
hail of the Mott Library. No. 63 Madison ave-
nue.. Here the writer recently was the guest OF
the club. and greatly interested in watch
ing the proceedings. There some sixty or
more blind men present The chair was occu-
pied by the president, William Hale Patrick
who is without sight, but makes an excellent
presiding officer number OF blind men go
about the city finding their way from place to
place without assistance. but Mr. Patrick gen
orally has guide. He makes an annual trip
to Europe, and on these voyages he has ac-
quired a reputation for the facility with which
he finds his way about the steamer
The secretary OF the club is Joseph Jennings
Murphy who lost his sight in childhood He
called the roll at the time of the writer's visit
and read the minutes of the previous meeting
with a facility which was surprising to those
who have not familiarized themselves with the
progress which has been made in recent years
in aiding the blind. The system employed by
Secretary Murphy in making his records is what
is known as New York point" and consists in
pricking cardboard with an instrument re-
sembling an awl. The reader passes his finger
tips over the raised portion of the cardboard
and reads the characters with ease No one in
the audience would have supposed, after hear
ing Mr.. Murphy call the roll and read the min
utes, that he was blind. He was prompt,
precise and clear in his utterances as any secre-
tary. In course of the evening, while circu-
LAT audience
might be called his punching machine under his
arm and noted a number of changes In ad-
dresses and made other records appertaining to
the duties of his office. He is a student at the
National Conservatory of Music. He Is also in
structing a number Of pupils in piano playing
and has the reputation of being able TO play
classical music and ragtime with equal facility.
Otto Fisher is the treasurer Of the club He
is partially blind. He stands at a certain point
with tin box in front of him and calls out oc-
casonally to the members present to come up
and pay their dues. The paying. however, is
attended with the exchange of many pleas
antries, which add not a little TO the general en-
toyment Of the evening. The membership dues
are merely nominal, in order to permit every
blind man, no matter how limited his resources,
to enjoy the clubs advantages.
one of the most active workers in the club is
Eben p. Morford superintendent OF the Brook
lyn Industrial Home for the Blind. Mr.. Morford
lost his sight when hoy by the accidental dis
charge of gun in the hands OF a companion.
He was one Of the organizers Of the home. and
has watched II grow until last year the blind
workmen made 20 943 brooms and caned 5,3SI
chairs, besides doing other kinds of work.
On the evening of the writer's visit to the
Blind Mems Club. Chaplain Chadwick. Of the
cruiser Maine, which was blown up In Havana
Harbor just before the breaking out Of the
Spanish American War. present. and
disaster Blind audiences noted for the
close attention they give. Their opportunities
ar1f,
" appreciate those placed within their reach.
Hence Chaplain Chadwick never had closer at
tenton paid to him. The programme included
vocal numbers by Mr. Seipstein, a young blind
man, who had recently come to this country
from Vienna, and who has made marvellous
progress in acquiring English in spite of his
great handicap. Professor Beetz played a piece
OF his own composition on the piano He is
entirely without the use Of his eyes, but gives
instruction on the piano and also leads or
Among those in attendance at the meeting
were Mr.. Mullen and Mr.. Bernstein two young
blind men. who are taking course Of nstruC-
active part in the club is entirely blind. but is
an expert masseuer. MIR Knight. another active
member, is teacher of the blind under the u
spices OF the New York association, to promote
the best interests of those who have been bereft
of sight. The club started under the same
auspices, and the association has workshop in
East 42d street, where blind find an OPP
portunity 10 make brooms and cane chairs. The
industries of mattress making and willow weay-
ing have just been added.
The great ambition OF the members Of the
Blind Mems Club is TO procure n building
adapted 10 their uses. The hail they now oc-
cupy is merely meeting place. They aspire
a well equipped building. with a gymnasium.
swimming pool, reading room. accommodations
for various games and other accessories dear to-
the hearts of club members who blessed with
the full of their eyes. Many blind men
suffer from isolation. There are only few
things that they do. and they are likely to
become low spirited and careless In their ap-
pearance. The club has achieved the result al
ready OF leading number of them to spruce
up and TO have more pride to how they look
They crave companionship. The club gratifes
the craving. One OF the peculiar sights of n
gathering of the organization is to see blind
during intermssions feeling their way no
and down the aisles of tine hall and calling out
the names of friends to ascertain If they are
present. meeting Of the club is beyond doubt
bright spot in the lives OF men who sit in
darkness. CHARLES D. BAKER
AN TnYII-END MOphT