REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.

HIS EXCELLENCY, SAMUEL MERRILL, GOVERNOR OF Iowa:

SIR-I have the honor to present the Ninth Biennial Report of the Iowa Institution for the Education of the Blind.

It affords me pleasure to be able to add this chapter to the history of an institution that holds such a conspicuous position among the noble benefactions of the people of this great State; an institution that will be one of the most enduring monuments of the enlightened policy and philanthropy of this generation.

It is a source of congratulation that the years embraced in this report have been marked by such success as to entitle the Iowa Institution for the Blind to the most favorable consideration of the public and to demonstrate, beyond question, that the funds appropriated to it were worthily bestowed and have been judiciously expended. It is a matter of devout thanksgiving to an Allwise Being, that this period has been one of healthfulness to the inmates of the institution, and has been free from calamity of every kind.

LOCATION.

The institution is situated upon an elevation of land on the western border of the city of Vinton, commanding a fine view of the city and the country which stretches far away toward the sky, an evervarying field of verdure, dotted with farm-houses and groves, and interlined with silvery streams.

Here a portion of the rolling prairie, about a mile in width, extends through the bluffs that line the southwestern bank of the Cedar, and the noble river sweeps around in a grand curve of miles, as if

eager to afford its clear waters an out-look upon the fair fields through which they flow. Perhaps few more picturesque locations could be found in this most beautiful State.

Vinton has attained a celebrity for healthfulness and for the moral tone and character of its inhabitants scarcely inferior to that for the beauty of its scenery; thus vindicating its selection as the location of a benevolent institution.

The early completion of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad to this place, now rendered certain, will remove a serious embarrassment under which the institution has so long labored, viz: that of being remote from railroad communication.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.

The main building is a substantial structure of cut stone, 108 feet long, 63 feet wide and three stories high above the basement. The basement is used for culinary and laundry purposes; the first floor is devoted chiefly to public and officers' rooms; the second floor to recitation and teachers' rooms; the third floor to dormitories. The south wing, just completed, is 60 feet long and 32 feet wide, with a rear projection 48 x 19 feet; is three stories high. In architecture and material it is in structure similar to the main building. It is devoted to sitting-rooms and dormitories for the male pupils.

The plan of the wing could scarcely have been improved, and the structure meets a want long felt in the economy of the institution. The broom-shop, 21 x 46, two stories, is situated near the south-west corner of the wing.

The grounds contain forty acres, divided into ten acre lots. That on which the buildings are located, is ornamented to some extent with shrubbery; the other lots are devoted to meadow and pasture.

HISTORY.

In the year 1853, this institution was established at Iowa City, largely through the unwearied efforts of Mr. Samuel Bacon. Mr. Bacon's long experience as an instructor of the blind, enabled him to inaugurate measures that have contributed largely to the prosperity of the school, and have, in no small degree, commended it to the

fostering care of the State. In the month of August, 1862, the institution was removed from Iowa City to Vinton, Benton county, and has continued until the present time in uninterrupted prosperity under the able management of its board of trustees and a wise and liberal policy of legislation by the General Assembly.

The following gentlemen have consecutively held the position of superintendent: Samuel Bacon, Esq., Rev. O. Clark, Rev. Reed Wilkinson, and Gen. James L. Geddes. The present incumbent entered upon his duties, July 1st, 1869.

The number of blind who have enjoyed the advantages of this institution since its establishment, is one hundred and eighty-six.

The causes of blindness of the pupils since the establishment of the institution are the following:

A complete report of the number of blind in the State of Iowa would doubtless show that there are about six hundred. Of this number, at least one hundred and twenty-five should be pupils o this institution and, in my judgment, all that prevents is the lack of information, by the parties interested, in regard to the character of the institution.

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THE LITERARY DEPARTMENT.

This embraces a course of instruction in the branches usually taught in common schools and seminaries.

The pupils are taught to read in embossed books, to write with a pencil in common and legible letters, to understand topographical geography by feeling outline maps, and to cypher upon metal frames with movable type instead of slate and pencil. The Braille system is also taught. The main instruction is oral. The apparatus in some instances is not sufficient to enable the teacher to convey the necessary information. The want is mostly felt in geography.

The principal instructors in this department are Mrs. M. H. Knapp, Miss. Jennie L. Wilson, Miss Lizzie Kiddoo, and Mr. George W. Tannihill. All teachers of energy, suavity, culture and large experience. Under their competent instruction the pupils have made great progress, and every day evince a greater love of study. The character and tone of the department is all that could be desired.

THE MUSICAL DEPARTMENT

Aims to give a thorough practical and theoretical knowledge of that important branch of education. The value of music to the blind can not be measured by dollars and cents. Confined mostly to one place by the loss of sight, precluded from society, and at the same time deprived of the privilege of reading popular literature or current news, without education how could they spend their hours of solitary leisure but in moody silence? Music meets this want more perfectly than any other branch of education.

This department is under the direction of Prof. D. S. Wilkinson, gentlemen of thorough musical education and considerable experience in teaching. As a performer upon the flute he has few equals in the land, but he gives instruction with almost equal skill upon the various instruments taught in the institution.

INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT.

The male industrial department is under the direction of Mr. John Cisna-a blind man of excellent judgment and character. The fact that he has retained this position from the founding of the institution is a sufficient testimonial of his worthiness and competency.

The female industrial department is now in charge of Miss Lorana Mattice, a lady educated in this school, and appointed to that position on the resignation of Miss M. A. Rittgers.

No more judicious selection could have been made. She is a blind lady of remarkable skill, can sew both by hand and on a sewing machine, knit, and makes nearly all kinds of fancy work; in addition, she possesses all the qualifications essential to a good teacher.

DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT.

It is the design of the institution, as far as practicable, to meet the conditions of a home in its domestic economy. Some of the pupils have no other home. This design modifies, to some extent, every department and gives to the school at times the character of a family. Everything is very satisfactory in this department under the direction of Mrs. S. C. Lawton, who discharges the difficult and onerous duties of matron in a manner very commendable and well calculated to secure and retain the respect of every inmate of the institution.

SANITARY REGULATIONS.

Vigorous health should be cultivated as a part of education. Much dependence is placed upon regular and appropriate exercise in the open air, upon bathing and diet, to secure and maintain perfect health.

Our efforts in this direction have been quite successful, but much more might be accomplished if increased facilities for bathing could be provided.

ORDER OF EXERCISES.

The following is the order of exercises for each day of the week: Six o'clock-rise.

Six and a half o'clock-breakfast.

Seven and three-quarters o'clock-prayers.

Eight to nine o'clock-mental and written arithmetic.

Nine to ten o'clock-grammar and geography.

Ten to eleven o'clock-algebra, raised print, penmanship, and general history.