Evening journal., 1919-02-06
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1919.

CRY FROM THE REALM OF EVERLASTING DARKNESS.
- NE OF the most important duties that conronts the
~ Delaware Legislature Is that of making adequate
provision for the maintenance care education and
tonal training Of its blind wards.
We have in Delaware approximately 300 men,
and children who dwell in the Vale of Darkness
To only few of them can medical and surgical
science hold out hope of an early or an ultimate restora
zion Of sight The others continue to live in that
Vale Of Darkness-not only TO live there, but to die
there hopeful that in the Great Beyond they will
eee the blessing Of vision that denied them
earth
Delaware never has treated blind wards as lib
orally they have deserved be treated This Legs-
lature should make amends for the shortcomings OF
The past Of its goodness high sense Of
Justice should make without debate or division the
appropriations asked for by the Delaware Commission
for the Blind.
In brief what that Commission asks is increase Of
te0enera appropriation from the miserable ptiance of
$4,000 year the respectable and sensible
of $4,000; and increase Of the equally miserable
pance Of $500 for handicap payments blind appren-
tces to the respectable but by adequate
Of $1,000.
Those increases provided for by bill now pend
inc in the Legislature No senator or Representative
Nho sSmpaihizes with men, women and children who
suffering from lies most terrible Affections
can fail TO support such a measure and glory in the
Of fairness which underlies such support
The only material rays of sunshine which lessen the
deep shadows which persde the Vale of Darkness are
those which radae congregaie or Individual acts
of kindness performed by those who can see Some Of
helpful nature with the element charity subordinate
the spirit OF practical hepfulness.
In the Of the no plea Of charity should he
made. In voting such appropriations ii merely would
be performing duty toward an exceedingly unfortunate
class of IFS citizens which receives from the state
its fair share of the benefits which our commonwealth
normally bestows upon those who can see.
We have heard two definitions of "a mean man." One
is that II is a who viii steal candy from child
The other is that II Is who will steal coin from
Ihe hat of blind II those definitions be correct
what characterization should be applied 10 man who
Fil deny TO person who Is hopeIessly blind those
educational and other benefits which tend to enable the
eneeiary to eat the bread of independence TO know
Il least the elemental pleasures OF living?
To properly constituted persons the of charity
no matter how tenderly IL may be bestowed carries with
" bitterness Of taste that Is found bread that is
earned oS the sweat of the brow II is to enable men,
-" ""o children who blind 10 taste The sweets of
= 'su o independence that the Delaware Commission
o""o exists and, certainly. our LEGISLATURE viii
'' "sen II fail to give to tba, con,n,,ss,ou a..
r, rs ",sueo T1ae 70 perform its heneneent task /,
"e pnno OF our State have mad. -,
~" 'O''eo ior them by the Stat. c.,
would be outrageous for any leosa,o, commission
10 this cry which comes from the o0se MS ears
darkness and which plays the mos everlasting
in the heart of every properly constitutes chords
and child in the State OF Delaware ' woman