Social pathology / by Samuel George Smith.

  • Samuel George Smith
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Social pathology / by Samuel George Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    express the following general conclusions which are held by most experts in teaching the juvenile blind : — “ Whereas, the prolonged experience of this institution in the past, covering a period of nearly thirty years, has, in the opinion of this Board! fully demonstrated the educational and practical inutility of instructing the blind committed to our care in trades; and “ Whereas, such instruction, even if it were both possible and useful, could certainly not be given without compelling us practically to abandon our original purpose and our present important educational work; and “ Whereas, the present complicated conditions of labor and trade make ultimate success in that direction much less likely now than it was in the past, when the most intelligent and patient efforts led to hopeless failure and almost to financial ruin; and “ Whereas, such a course would be a direct injury to the young blind; and would result in forfeiture of the position and recognition which we have gained among the educational institutions of this state and in the Uni- versity of the State of New York; and also in the loss of bequests from that large number of our citizens who are interested in aiding institutions of an educational character; therefore, be it “ Resolved, that this Board hereby records its belief that teaching of trades should not be attempted by this institution.” In the same year the American Association of Instructors of the Blind held their annual meeting in Indianapolis, at which time Mr. George S. Wilson delivered the address, as president, in which he strongly dissented from the English and continental ideas with respect to the proper care of the blind, quoting with disapproval the announcement of the institution in Glasgow of its purposes: first, to give educational, technical, and industrial training to the juvenile blind and to provide a home for blind children and blind women; second, to teach trades and to provide employment for the adult blind men and women; third, to supplement their earnings, to give holiday grants, to supply clothing, and aid them in sickness and old age. This combination of effort seems contrary to sound theory and to rest upon precisely the same basis as the introduction of children into almshouses or other retreats for paupers and for the aged. The conclusions which were developed by the president of the association seem to have been agreed to by the superin- tendents who were present, and they are as follows : — “1. The education of all children is the work of the state, and is to be given to all alike in the most economical and efficient manner. “ 2. This education, while it should be comprehensive, should trend to the general development and avoid the special or technical.