The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1914-10-02

The history Of proposed Amendment
No. to the Constitution of Missouri.
which would make it possible Tor the
Legislature to assist the deserving
blind Of the state by means of a pen
sion, and which the voters of the state
Will be called upon to adopt or reject
at the general election in November,
has been written by Miss Jessie A.
Foster, a blind st. Louisan, who is
among the amendments stanch sup.
porters.
In the early part of November,
1912, a small circle of sightless per.
sons in the city of st. Louis, No, were
discussing the prospects of lettering
the condition Of the blind" begins
Miss Foster.
The discussion spread rapidly
through social circles, and in the lat.
ter part of November led to the or
ganization Of the association known
as the United Workers for the Blind
OF Missouri. When the work Of or
ganization "a completed, which a
not until January, 1913, the new asso-
citation carried 16 members. It had no
important social influence, no political
influence and practically no finances;
but the little handful OF members CON
sisted Of wise thinkers, earnest and
willing workers, determined to accom-
plish all that was possible for the well
fare Of the blind.
Association Duly Chartered.
The association has been duly char
tered by the State of Missouri, and
authorized for the accomplishment of
the following worthy purposes, as
stated in its articles of agreement:
This association is formed for the
purpose of improving the condition Of
the blind by interesting and educating
the public in the needs and welfare of
the blind, by the organization and as
ISOLATION Of blind persons for their
mutual protection and education, and
training in useful arts and sciences.
This association is not organized
for business purposes or pecuniarJ
profit
Pension Foremost Need.
"A sIep in this direction was taken
when the United Workers decided
that the pension question should be
their first consideration, and that
their first great work should be for
said pension.
Having reached this decision, the
methods to be employed were talked
over at meetings held at the homes
OF various members during the months
Of January and February, 1913.
According to the Constitution OF
Missouri, the state cannot pension its
blind. In considering this fact at
these early meetings it became evi.
dent that the Constitution must be
amended. Though the legislative ses-
sion was near its close and the ex.
pense of such a project was far be-
yond the means of the. new associa-
ton, this energetic little band decided
to draft a resolution authorizing the
voters Of the state to vote for the de-
sired amendment at the general cleo
ton in November, 1914. Plans were
then laid for raising money to carry
on this work, and to present the reso-
luton TO the Legislature without de-
lay.
Legislature Does lts Part.
Space will not permit an account
Of these plans, but their practicability
and the strenuous effort expended in
their operation can be realized when
1t is considered that the resolution
was drafted, presented and passed
through the Legislature within a few
weeks ~afterward.
THE resolution to amend the State
Constitution was passed March %,
1913. This win be known as Amend.
ment No. I, and will be voted upon in
the general election Of November.
1914 The resolution was passed with.
out a single dissenting vote and was