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This standard is more just and favorable to the blind than that adopted by the states of Massachusetts and New York, where the standard requires reading of fingers at one foot. The third section (admitting the practically blind), so far as I am aware, has never been incorporated in any definition as to what constitutes blindness. I feel that they justly come within the class of the blind.

Under this ruling
117 were found to be totally blind
112 were found to be blind
38 were found to be practically blind
20 were found to be not blind

The rule was strictly adhered to, and though it appeared to visit a hardship on a few isolated cases, in the main it worked with efficiency. There were a few impostors, quite a number in whom vision was of a low degree, but still not low enough to bring them in the fold of the blind. There were quite a number who had undergone operations, in consequence of which conditions existed which made it all but impossible to determine just how much vision they possessed. In all such cases the applicant was given the benefit of the doubt. It should be remembered that the applicants come in a negative state of mind, determined to see as little as possible, not to aid us in getting the highest degree of vision. In one case, taken unawares, the visitor found the blind person playing cards, and in another the applicant, in an unguarded moment, admired the beautiful flowers the visitor was carrying.

A few cases may be here cited to illustrate the manner in which the work was accomplished.

Louis A. Aged 49 years, married, has wife and three children. Medical history shows that his mother had optic atrophy for 30 years previous to her death in her 81st year. He became blind 10 years ago, has optic atrophy, and all the symptoms of locomotor ataxia.

Previous to blindness be was a cigar maker, earning $12 per week. After blindness developed he attended the blind school at Columbus and learned to make brooms, but has never been able to make a living at it. Sells newspapers; his earnings are uncertain, and average about $2 per week. He received the pension of $100 under the old law. The family has been compelled to ask for aid from the Associated Charities, receiving coal and groceries.

He has a sister who earns $1.25 per day scrubbing floors.

A mother-in-law who earns $1.25 per week.

His daughter, 22 years of age, works in a shoe factory, earns $3 per week.

A son 15 years of age is idle.

A daughter 9 years of age is at school.

His wife has an open leg; is unable to add to the family earnings.

The family income is now apparently $5 a week, and seems to be fairly entitled to a full pension of $150.

Mrs. F. 65 years of age, white, widow. Has been blind for 30 years. Chorio retinitis. Has been a resident of the county for 44 years. Has a son and daughter. Both are poor. States that she has the support from her son of $3 per month. Boards with friends who provide care and food. Is unable to care for herself. A visit was made at her home. Talked to her daughter, who states that she takes roomers, making $2 per month over her rent. Her mother has a room in her house, which is paid for by her son. The daughter states that she can only keep her mother by giving her meals, as she is poor herself. Has an insane husband and four children. The husband is not violent, and the doctors at the asylum consented to let him work. He earns $9 per week as a laborer. The son has two children and a mother-in-law to support. Keeps up insurance for his mother. The applicant was awarded $150 pension.

Mr. F. A brewery worker, aged 38 years; became totally blind from the inhalation of wood alcohol while varnishing the interior of a large cask with a shellac varnish, which consisted of one-third Columbian spirits, two-thirds shellac. Blindness followed in thirty-six hours. Complete total atrophy ensued. This man had been earning $16 per week. Was a strong, healthy, honest, and sober man. He has a wife and six children. They had up to this time been living in fairly good circumstances for people in their station in life. His wife was compelled to go out and scrub floors for a living, and must return home at noon and prepare the midday meal, then return to her work. The oldest son, 19 years, is a waiter, earning $6.50 per week, and a second son, 14, earns at times $3; the other children are too young. The family live in two back rooms on the fourth floor in a tenement house. The man's health is broken, and he is still so overpowered by his misfortune that he is unable to help himself in any way. This has become the cause of a celebrated lawsuit, in which he has been awarded $12,000 damages, but the law's delays and trials in upper courts are uncertain. He was granted a full pension, to be revoked when the case is finally decided in his favor.

Mr. S. Visited at his home. Aged 61 years; has been totally blind for 11 years. American born. Sits in a wheeling chair; paralyzed from waist down; has no control over his sphincters; locomotor ataxia. Total optic atrophy. Was in the poultry business, and earned from $15 per week upward for years, until finally overcome by disease, which he attributes to exposure to cold, standing in market, and lifting heavy barrels, etc. Has three sons -- one 20 years of age, a cripple, having received an injury to his hip in a street car accident. A second son, 19, recently lost his left leg and lost entire use of his left arm, having been injured in a railroad accident nine months ago. A third son, 17 years, is weak-minded. The entire surroundings indicated extreme poverty, and the only income was from the wife, who takes in washing, earning $3 per week. A full pension of $150 per year was granted.