Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-01-15
Another Letter to Governor Hatfield.
Shepherdstown, w. Va,
January s, 1913.

Shepherdstown, w. Va,
January s, 1913.
Hon. H. D. Hatfield, Governor.
Sir:-Last fall before the meeting OF the
West Virginia Legislature | prepared a
circular in reference TO our Blind and
Deaf School at Romney You and Gov
ernor Glasscock manifested considerable
interest in the matter until after this Cir
cular was sent each ofyou. Copies were
also sent to all the members Of the Leg
islature at their homes. and quite a num-
ber of senators and delegates were out
spoken in favor of the changes proposed
until they reached Charleston at the ses-
sion OF the Legislature. When this cir
cular got into the hands of certain per-
sons posted in such matters, ! was told
that the circular would not accomplish
its object, for one reason-it commented
somewhat on the Board OF Control.
There was no intent TO reflect on the per-
sonnel of this board, but tried to point
out that the board had its hands full in
attending to the finances of all our State
institutions and should not he eXpecIed
to look after the educational part of the
Blind and Deai,. but that the superintend-
ent and teachers should be appointed
by the the Board of Regents like our nor
NAL schools. did not then know the
president of the Board Of Control had
been asked to drop his duties to the State
to conduct a political campaign for the
successful ticket. AT any rate, il seems
that chill stru:k all sentiment for the
betterment of conditions for the Blind
and Deaf on lines mentioned in the cir-
cular as soon as the atmosphere OF the
capital was reached, and nothing came OF
the plan mentioned above, that the office
OF the superintendent of the Blind and
Deaf be taken out OF the political arena
and be placed under the Board OF Regents
and that the Blind and Deaf be separated;
the Blind placed in larger town where
the advanced scholars could recite with
seeing scholars and associate with them,
thus enlarging their world and giving
them inspiration. Every educator with
whom have talked on the subject en-
dorSes this plan.l The word that reach
ed me was that the administration was
opposed TO the bill and there was no use
TO try 10 do anything.
The above lines are suggested by your
arbitrary change OF superintendents at
Romney Gt seems without even the cour-
teSy of notifying Mr.. Montague before
the papers published it) as going far to
prove the contention made that the un-
fortunate wards of the State are paying
the price OF politics. 1t seems to me that
Mr.. Huidekoper deserves credit for brav-
ing the "powers that be- with protest,
and thanks TO the kind OF reply you sent
him will likely have his wish, that it be
published all over the Stale. "Whom
the gods would destroy they first make
mad"
Mr.. Huidekoper is practically on the
ground, and should know more about the
results accomplished by Mr.. Montague
than you and the Board Of Control put to-
gether.
My son lost his sight tour years ago at
the age of eighteen, and attended the
school three years. visited the institu-
ton five or six times, talked with the Of
ficers and some OF the parents who have
children there, and learned much through
my son. believe Mr.. Montague was
doing good work. as well, probably, as
could have been done under the circum-
stances, and it was quite a satisfaction TO
me to have courteous and approachable
official to deal with in trying to do the
best possible for an afflicted son. He
seemed also to have the loyal support OF
his help. am sure things were run too
economically for best results, but as he
was limited by the appropriations and
inherited deficiency from his predeces-
sor, it seems the blame for that condition
should be charged TO the indifference or
ignorance of those higher up.
1t was supposed you would not make
change at Romney without good reasons,
and have been noticing all correspon-
dence, hoping to learn why it was done,
but so far am disappointed and really
you can hardly blame those who say il
looks as if place was being made for
friend OF Mr.. LakIn and suggests TO them
political or personal ring of very small
circumference.
do not know why it should be i'm
proper TO discuss Mr.. DeBerry's quaIifi-
cations for this very important place. II
you had appointed man who had made
a success of this kind Of work somewhere
there would not be so much surprise.
have not been able TO learn that Mr.. De-
Berry has had any experience at all of
this kind. His business experience so
far, il seems, is no strong recommendation.
One report says he is fifty-five another
sixty-five. II either OF these are correct,
ordinarily his best days are past and he
will have to show extraordinary talent TO
make good.
am told by persons Of many years of
experience that it takes four years for
superintendent to master all the details TO
successfully run the school al Romney,
and that if a man does not take il up
while young he will never acquire pro-
ficiency in the deaf language.
Calling people who protest low names
in childish way does not prove any
thing against them, but is rather proof
positive of some things against the one
who calls names. You are the Governor
of our State, and as one of the voters at
the primary and regular election helped
to place you IN that exalted position. !
would not detract from its dignity, but
u. .