The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-07-30
GREAT WORK DONE
AT STATE SCHOOL
FOR THE SIGHTLESS
SUPERINTENDENT ARMSTRONG
WRITES ILLUMlNATIVE AND
INTERESTING LETTER.
WAS FOUNDED IN YEAR lS44
Boys Are Instructed in Manual Train
ing-Eminent oeulist Treats the
Eyes Of Inmates-Part Of Public
School System.

For the enlightenment of the pub
lie regarding the scope and purposes
of the Tennessee School for the
Blind, The Herald prints the follow.
ing letter from Superintendent Arm
strong, which is being mailed out to
the state press:
Dear sir:-The sixtyssixth session
of the Tennessee school for the Blind
commences Wednesday. September 1,
1909 The school is admirably and
beautifully situated on the west bank
of the Cumberland river, about a mile
from the Unoin depot and less than
half that distance from the Tennes-
see Central depot. Electric cars pass
the gate, making the school accessi-
BILE form all parts of the city.
The faculty consits of capable and
experienced teachers and it may be
safely predicted that the coming year
will be the brightest and most hope
fu in its annals.
The good peaple of the state, in
1874 founded this school for those I'M
fortunate children who by reason of
defective vision could not attend the
ordinary schools They felt that right
and justice demanded that some pro-
vision must be made whereby blind
children may have an opportunity 10
obtain an education. They reasoned
if education is essential to the well
fare and success of the child blessed
with the greatest Of all blessings, the |
sense OF sight, then it is a thousand |
times more necessary that the blind |
be educated and fitted for the battle
of life. Think for moment of the /,
pathetic and ritiable condition of the |
blind who are uneducated-cut off |
from most OF the amusements and |
pleasure Of youth; a burden to theil
friends for their daily bread; led from
place to place, perhaps by unwilling !
bands; objects of pity, and sometimes
of aversion; their untutored minds
and rude manners made the subject
of jest and ridicule; without hope and
seemingly forgotten of heaven, their
lot is indeed lamentable and miserable
beyond description. But education
changes all this-the light of knowl-
edge fills the soul, quickens the per.
ceptions, exercises the faculties, I'M
folds and develops mans entire ma
lure, and thus the blind man becomes
the equal of his more fortunate broth
erH and sisters. But that is not all,
1t refine the manners; does away
with oddities and peculiarities; it en-
courage hope; awakens ambition;
and tea hes him to earn his bread
and knCW what independence means.
This school is a part of the public
school system. It's province is to re-
ceive and educate children whose de.
fective sight bars them from the ordi-
nary schools. In addition to tuition,
the school gives books, board laun-
dry and medical attention free. Par g
ents are only required to furnish suit q
able clothing and to pay transporta- l
ton to AID from school.
An eminent oculist is connected c
with the school who examines the 4
eyes of each child on it's admission, I
and if aught can be done to mitigate
pain, to improve vision, or happily e
10 restore sight, it is done without de- 5