Chap. 334.—An ACT to effect the separation of the schools for the deaf and
the blind at Staunton, and to provide for a commission to make recom-
mendations concerning the establishment of a separate school for the educa-
tion of the white blind children of Virginia, and appropriating one thousand
dollars for the expenses of said commission. {H B 118}

Approved March 23, 1922.

Whereas, the Virginia school for the deaf and blind at Staun-
ton is now, and has been for several years, crowded to cepacity in
attempting to care for the instruction of both the deaf and the blind
white children of Virginia: and

Whereas, recent investigations have established the fact that the
number of children of the two classes in the State who are not now
receiving an education is probably greater than the number now in
school; and

Whereas, the method of instruction of the two groups is so radi-
cally different as to require separate groups of teachers, and com-
plete duplication of class room, study halls, textbooks and appa-
ratus, involving indeed the maintenance of separate schools within
the same institution; and

Whereas, the policy of other States is to educate the deaf and
blind in separate schools, it being found essential to the welfare of
both classes to educate them separately; now, therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That as
soon as practicable, the schools at Staunton be separated.

2. That when such separation is made, the property now used
as a joint school for the deaf and the blind, be designated as the
Virginia school for the deaf, and reserved for the education of the
white children of school age who are deaf, and that a separate school
be established for the education of the white children of school age
who are blind.

3. That a commission consisting of five members, be appointed,
two of whom shall be members of the house of delegates, appointed
by the speaker, one a member of the senate, appointed by the presi-
dent, and two members at large to be appointed by the governor;
which commission shall make recommendations to the next general
assembly as to ways and means of carrying out the provisions of
this act.

4. The members of the said commission shall serve without com-
pensation, except their necessary traveling expenses.

For the purpose of paying the necessary expenses of the said
commission, and to carry out the provisions of this act, the sum
of one thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is
hereby appropriated out of any monies, in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated, to be paid by the treasurer of Virginia on the warrants
of the auditor of public accounts, issued upon the vouchers of the
chairman of said commission, countersigned by its secretary.