The object of said school shall be to educate the blind and to afford them instruction in such useful arts and trades as they are best adapted to pursue, and such as will best enable them to maintain themselves. All pupils received in said school shall be educated in the branches usually taught in the common schools, in vocal and instrumental music, and in such other branches of learning as the board of control shall prescribe. They shall also receive instruction in such mechanical trades as said board shall prescribe, and shall have proper physical and moral training.

There shall be received in said school as pupils all such blind persons and partially blind persons whose defective sight prevents their receiving instruction in the common schools, between the ages of 7 and 19 years, as are in suitable condition of body and mind to receive instruction, and who are residents of this state, and if minors whose parents or guardians are residents of this state, without charge for tuition, board, lodging, washing, medicine or medical attendance: Provided, The board of control may, in their discretion, admit persons under the age of 7 or over 19 years.

The period in which pupils shall be entitled to remain in said school shall be 12 years, or the board of control may, in cases where they deem it advisable, extend such time to 14 years. This section shall not be so construed as to prohibit the said board of control from dismissing any pupil within the such period for persistent disobedience, immoral conduct, or other sufficient cause, neither shall anything in this act operate to prohibit the transfer of any child over the age of 18 years to the Michigan employment institution for the blind upon consent granted by the board of control of the Michigan school for the blind, and whenever, in the discretion of said board, the transfer of any such child will be for its best interests or the best interests of the said Michigan school for the blind.

It shall be the duty of the superintendents of the poor of the several counties of this state to send or cause to be sent to said school all such persons as are entitled to admission therein, who are a charge upon their respective counties or any township therein. Such superintendents of the poor shall, before sending any pupils to said school under the provisions of this section, cause them to be decently and comfortably clothed, and shall provide them with comfortable clothing while they remain at said school, and defray their traveling expenses in going to and returning from said institution, and provide them with such articles of necessity and convenience as are required by the rules and regulations of said school to be furnished by the pupils therein, and shall also pay the board of such pupils during the usual annual vacation, if they are permitted to remain at said institution during such vacation. All persons entitled to admission to said school who are not a charge upon any county, but who, on account of their poverty, are unable to furnish themselves with proper clothing and other articles required by the rules and regulations of said school, shall receive the same aid from the superintendents of the poor of their respective counties while attending said school as is provided in this section for those who are a county charge. All expenses incurred by the superintendents of the poor under this section shall be a proper charge against their respective counties and shall be defrayed out of the poor fund of such county.