OF THE

IOWA INSTITUTION

FOR THE

EDUCATION OF THE BLIND,

LOCATED AT VINTON,

TO THE

TWELFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

DECEMBER, 1867.

DES MOINES:

P. W. PALMER, STATE PRINTER.

OFFICERS AND TEACHERS.

TRUSTEES:

HON. JAMES MCQUIN, PRESIDENT.
GEN. JAMES L. GEDDES, SECRETARY.
HON. JAMES CHAPIN, TREASURER.
HON. C. H. CONKLIN.

HON. JOSEPH DYSART.

HON. ELIJAH SELLS.

TEACHERS:

PRINCIPAL,

JAMES L. GEDDES.

ASSISTANT TEACHERS,

MISS JENNIE L. WILSON,
MISS LIZZIE KIDDOO,

G. W. TANNIHILL.

TEACHER OF MUSIC,

PROFESSOR S. H. PRICE.

TEACHER OF MECHANICS,
JOHN CISNA.

TEACHER OF BEAD-WORK, &C.,
Miss A. M. RITTGERS.

MATRON,

MRS. N. T. MORTON.

PHYSICIAN,

M. MEREDITH, M. D.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

To the Honorable, the General Assembly of the State of Iowa:

In connection with the accompanying financial report of the Asylum for the Blind, the undersigned, members of the Board of Trustees, beg leave to submit the following suggestions, which they trust may not be deemed inappropriate at this time.

We are gratified to be able to state that the Institution was never in a more flourishing condition than at the present. The attendance was never before so large, the pupils so generally healthy and contented, and the entire machinery moving in such perfect order and harmony as now.

Since our last report the resignation of Rev. Reed Wilkinson, as principal, has necessitated a change in that important position, and we deem ourselves very fortunate in having secured for that place the services of General J. L. Geddes, whose reputation as a brave and accomplished soldier in the late civil strife has rendered his name familiar in all parts of the State. His services in the Institution during the present term have already fully demonstrated that he is the right man in the right place; and under his efficient management every department gives evidence of increased tone and vigor.

The appropriations heretofore made for the general expenses of the Institution are found to be amply sufficient for its ordinary wants, and nothing further is needed in that regard. But we desire. to say that there is a matter of the utmost importance to the Institution which has hitherto been much overlooked, but which we hope will be seriously considered. We refer to the musical department. It is hardly necessary, we apprehend, to call attention to the fact, that the musical education of the blind is by far the most important of all the attainments conferred upon them here. Aside from the direct pecuniary advantages which it gives