The Forgotten: Advocating for Washington Territory’s Deaf, Blind, and Feeble-Minded Children

What is the duty of Washington Territory to these 100 to 150 defective children? Obviously, they have the same claims to education that other children have; and their misfortune gives them an added claim inasmuch as they are so hopelessly crippled and handicapped in the struggle for existence. No person with heart enough to read this article needs more than to be reminded of this aspect of the case. Others, of course, would not be reached by the most urgent and lengthy appeal. What is the Territory doing for these classes? For the feeble-minded, simply nothing in the way of education. For the blind, the same as for the weak-minded—nothing. One or two, from families able to bear the heavy cost, are sent away to California or Minnesota. The rest remain at home, largely neglected and untaught. For the deaf mutes, something is done. A recent law provides that they may be sent to the Oregon school for a period of three terms, the annual tuition for a term of 8 months being $300, which is paid only by a special appropriation by the Legislature after a special appeal to back the presentation of the bill for payment. The deaf mutes deserve something better, and the blind and weak-minded deserve something adequate to their condition. Neglecting these classes is not only a cruel injustice to them, but a reproach to an intelligent community and a dangerous neglect of the future welfare of the community itself.