The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-17

partnent OF education with which We
ar; connected has marked the year
Just closed. Tho largest school for the
deaf in the world--that at Mt Airy.
Philadelphia-has cautiously and con.
servattvely. during a period Of years
neen transformed from manual meth
% school. using elgns and the manual
alphabst as Its mediums of ins;ruc-
ton. to an oral school. using speech
as its medium OF instruction. The last
class taught under the old method ha7
been discharged and the new year
opens with the 500 pupils and more OF
thu school all taught under the oral
method"
Many OF tho amueements engaged In
BY the blind 3re also used by the deaf
In fact practically all. There is
tennis court for the deaf mut,s Stere-
opticon exhibitions arc given them
every few weeks. with changes OF
views at each performances. Occasion
ally, professional entertainers arc en-
ployed for an evening.
The Virginia School for the Deaf
and the Blind was established IN 1899
with Hon. A. II. II. Stuart as the prs
dent of Its first board OF directors
Many boards have ruled 1t since that
day, having in their membership some
of the most distinguished names in
the history OF the State
The school has bean practically un-
der Its present management for fifteen
years, during which time the enroll
ment has increased IS per cent, until
now il numbers e57 pupils. In addi-
ton TO the original building. which
has served its purpose splendidly, and
which is 8 most substantial one, there
have been several additions In the
shape OF halls erected in recent years
Tyler Hail. Montague Hall and swan
son Hall. named. respectively. for the
Governors who We're in office at the
time they were built. add materially
10 the capacity and the usefulness of
the plant
William a. Bowles. whose admins
tration is generally indorsed, went to
the institution from tn, position OF
principal Of the Richmond High School
There are three teachers In the man
ual division OF the deaf department.
twelve oral teachers. six teachers for
the blind three music teachers and q
matron and housckeeper.
Rev. Joseph u Tyler was the first
superintendent of the deaf department.
and J. C. Merrilat held a similar posi-
ton for the deaf department.
Men Who Direct school.
The board of visitors Of the school
is now composed as follows: Dr. q
W. Butts, OF SUFFOLK, president; s. II.
Miller, Of Lynchburg: James II. Lind
say. Of Charlottesville DIR. j. b.
Rawlings, Of stanton: Burnett Lewis
OF Richmond; G. w Knscy, of Wash
ington. Va. and State superintendent
OF Public Inetruction j. D. Eggleston
Tr eX offic!o. DR.. Butts, DR.. Rawlings
and Mr. I. Lewis form the Executive
Committee.
The limit OF age for admission Is
fixed at between eight and twenty
one years. hut IL is urged that ALI en-
ter at eight II possible. The cntir,
scholastic term is ten years, except
when pupil reaches his majority be-
fore tho ten ysars expire. when the
term is fixed by special act OF the
board. Pupils are required to leave
the school at the close of each scs-
sion, and spend their VACATIONS at
their homes.
The last annual report urges the
enactment by the Legislature of a
compulsory attendance law applying TO
deaf and blind children. 1t has been
found that many such children are
never sent TO school. but are allowed
To grow up in total ignorance. 30.
sides. many parents who send their
children there take them away before
tho course is completed in order to
make them useful ut homo. II is de-
sired to braak up this practice.
Religious Features.
Religious exercises are held every
day. sunday school is conducted In the
deaf department ny tn regular teach
crs. hut the hind attend the Sunday
schools OF their choice In The city
The institution is situated on a hill