Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-10-10

Rev. p. F. Bauknight, who has labored
diligently for several years to organize a
self-heIp association for the blind. is be-
ginning to see the fruit of his patience
and efforts.
He has successfully organized the Geor-
gia Association for the Blind, with the
following men and women as officers
and directors: DR.. J. w. Blosser, presi-
dent; Philip weltner, vice president; DR..
d ]. Gunter, secretary and treasurer;
Rev. p. F. Bauknight, field secretary;
DIR. Francis Bradley. s. G. Galloway, DR..
w. E Campbell, Mrs. James L. Dickey,
Jr., Rev. G. L. Gordon. Jacob Hirsch,
DR.. A. r. Holderby. Mrs. NJ. N. Hull.
Mrs. Sam d. Jones, Ebert Kaufman,
Mrs. V II. Kriegshaber, ]. r. Nell, Mrs
John A. Perdue. Rev. George S. Rapier
Mrs. II. o. Reese, ]. s Sewell, Mrs. II.
NJ Wfllett. ]. W. Wilson. directors.
Having been deprived Of his eye sight
for IL years, Rev. Bauknight well knows
the needs of the blind; as a graduate of
the South Carolina institution for the
blind and also of the Atlanta Theological
seminary for the sighted, he well knows
also what a blind person can do. In the
fall of 1905 he entered the Atlanta Theo-
logical seminary on trial by the permits
sion of its president, DR.. Z. Lyman Hood
and in the spring of 1910 he received his
b. ID. degree with honors.
The object and purpose of the Georgia
Association for the Blind are to serve
as a bureau of incarnation for the blind
OF the state, to furnish literature adapted
for reading by the blind, 10 work for
the prevention of blindness, to investi-
gate as to the condition of the adult
blind. and to alleviate their wants, eth
er by institution, designed for their shell
ter. education. care and protection, or
by factories, stores and warehouses de-
signed TO furnish them with a gainful
occupation The census bureau shows
that the state of Georgia has more than
200 blind persons within its borders, and
more than 1850 of whom are adults. and
not less than Loo OF these adults are
existing, not living, in misery, idleness
and ignorance, and are being supported
by their parents and friends, or public
charity. The blind. as a class, are very
heavily affIcted with poverty. besides
the awful affliction OF blindness; Sc per
cent OF the blind in the United States are
in the poorest circumstances; therefore,
the blind are afflicted with the two great
est AFFECTIONS of the world-blindness and
poverty. Consequently, the blind. as a
class, are helpless. and always will be,
until their rights and privileges are re-
spected and recognized by the sighted;
equal rights TO all and special privileges
to none. Pennsylvania, Massachusetts,
New York, Michigan, Maryland and
many more of The northern states have
heard the persistent cries of their blind
for work, and are fast responding with
employment, such as chair Gaming,
broom making, mattress making, basket
making. bead work and all kinds of
fancy sewing and knitting, typewriting
and telegraphy. telephoning and many
other professions, which the blind have
proved themselves capable of doing as
satisfactorily the sighted. mar
yelous work is being done for the blind
by these states; a great revolution is
being wrought by the blind; their indus
trial shops are yearly doing from $500
10 $4,000 worth of business.
The association wants to raise 5000
BY popular subscription. Mr.. Bauknight
says:
ITO explore and develop thoroughly
this large and SO needy field. the Geor--