OREGON SCHOOL FOR DEAF-MUTES. SALEM, OREGON. Established and maintained for the free education of the deaf children of the state. Pupils must be of proper school age, and sound in body and mind. Parents are required to furnish clothing and bedding, and to pay traveling expenses. The older pupils are required to assist in the light work of the institution. The discipline of the school is kind, but firm, and pupils who refuse to obey its rules will be returned to their homes. The school is governed by a board of three trustees-the governor, secretary of state, and superintendent of public instruction. The primary aim of the school is to furnish a good public school education to its pupils. Special instruction is given to industrial training, with the view that the boys and girls who graduate in this institution will become self-supporting in after life. If the state did not provide and care for its defective youth, many of them later on would become objects of charity, and largely dependent on charitable people for their support. Special attention is given to the study of language. The course of study comprises the branches usually taught in common schools. The industrial department (in addition to the work now done) will soon include carpentery, broom making, printing, gardening, etc., for the boys. The girls are now taught housework, laundry-work, sewing, etc. The new building erected in compliance with the law was completed during the biennial term and much work was done toward improving and beautifying the grounds. For the past year the building has been occupied and the school made excellent progress. The building has furnished a most comfortable home for the pupils, and the teaching faculties are of an excellent quality. The principalship of the educational work is under the supervision of Prof. Benjamin Irving, and his associates are doing excellent work. Constant needs are presenting themselves and it is the purpose of the board of trustees to meet them as far as it is possible. The want of an oral teacher is becoming very apparent. Lip teaching is being introduced into most of the schools throughout the United States and it is quite apparent that this want should be met in the Orogon school. The board of trustees is now putting into the school an electric light plant and the same will be completed before the end of this year, in fact, will be done in a few days, when the institute will then be well lighted, which will add much to the security from danger by fire and give much more efficient light. The school is now under the superintendency of P. S. Knight, one who has been long in such work and is familiar with its needs. |