The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-02
Convention or the Teachers or the Deaf
and Dumb.

Cenventio. OF the Teachers or the Deaf
and Dumb.
This convention assembled on Thursday morn.
ing, about nine o'clock, at the chapel of the Insti
tuition of the Deaf and Dumb; and, in accordance
with motion passed at the previous meeting. the
proceedings commenced with the exposition of q
portion OF Scripture, and prayer, read in the Ian
guage of signs.
In addition to the number of delegates present al
the first days proceedings of the convention, we
have to mention the following gentlemen-Dr. F.
F. King, Superintendent of the Public Schools in
New Jersey; Messrs. F. A. Spofford and E. B.
Peet, of the New York Institutions Rev. G. Stone,
from the American Asylum ferithe Deaf and Dumb,
Hartford, Conn; and Mr.. II. Hirzel, Principal OF
the Asylum for the Blind, at Lausanne, Switzer-
land.
In the absence of the Hon. Christopher Morgan,
the vice president, the Rev. w. w. Turner was
elected to act in his place until his arrival BUSH
ness commenced with tie eading of the minutes
of the last meeting, which were adopted with some
corrections in reference to the order of business.
The reports from committees being now in order,
DIR. Harvey r. Peet, as chairman of the Committee
on Business, submitted the following reports:-
i. An article on significant action in the pulpit.
z. Some considerations, why deaf mutes are not
more subject to insanity than the blind
3. Plan for syllable manual alphabet.
a.
s. Moral state Of the deaf and dumb previous to
education, and the result of religious influence
among them.
Questions for discussion
/. Resolution relative TO the census.
2. Resolution relative 10 the introduction Of q
manual alphabet into the common schools.
3. Information by the principals of the institu-
tons in answer to the question contained in the
Deaf and Dumb, and Blind
4. Resolution relative to the establishment of
periodical.
The anonymous communication, the subject Of
which was deaf Mute Instruction" was read by
DIR. Peet.
The Hon. JAMED w. BExKMAN moved that
this communication, as II was presented with
out the authors signature, be not published
along with the other regular reports, although it
was otherwise highly worthy OF consideration.
The motion was seconded and carried.
Professor J. A CARY then read an able article
upon The subject OF significant action in the pulpit
Another paper was read by Prof. d. E. bartlett.
The subject, which was treated of with much abb
lily, was the acquisition of language. Professor
&. w. MORRIS also read a long and interesting ar
ticle, giving some considerations why the deaf
mutes are not more subject to insanity than the
blind, After some remarks OF statistical nature,
made upon this subject by DIR. Peet, Messrs. Pet
tingill, Morris, Cary, Henry and Turner, Mr.. BART
LET moved, that, as it was point Of great import
ance, the question be referred to the consideration
of special committee, which motion was adopted
Dr. PEET moved that the resolution on the sub
read by the President.
Mr.. CARY made some remarks in reference to
the imperfections of the census, which were con-
hTmed by Mr. Brown.
The resolution was then carried. Another re-
solution upon this subject was also passed.
A plan fer syllable manual alphabet, by Mr.
Burnett, was then read.
DR. PEET moved that this subject be referred to
select committee, to be appointed by the chair.
The gentlemen composing the committee were
Or. Peet, Professors Bartlett and Cary, and Mr..
Burnett.
A melton was then made, that Mr.. Bornet's re-
marks be enrolled in the minutes of the conven-
ton. il was now moved thatt convention take
recess until three O'Clock, at the expiration of
which time the meeting re- assembled.
A communication from Mr.. Wetmore was read
by the President, and the Invitation it contained
unanimously accepted.
Or. PEEr then read some resolutions from the
Committee on Business, which We're laid upon the
table, TO be taken up for discussion at the proper
time.
Mr.. Brown offered resolution
That on the demand OF deleg ates from two institu-
lions, vote shall be taken by Institutions each being
entitled to vote and additional vote every
twenty pupils attending the same.
he resolution was adopted, after some discus
sion.
The following resolutions were then submitted
TO the consideration Of the convention =
kesoived, That as the cause OF deaf mute instruc-
lion would be very greatly promoted by having Pc
Iiodca specially devoted to that cause to be Issued
and to be Of common property; It will be under the
control and MT of ali the pstituons for the
deaf and dumb.
Resolved, That a special committee composed of
one from each institution represented in this
ton be appointed TO consider the expediency of esab
hshipg such periodical aud to consider the best plan
These resolutions were also seconded and
adopted.
Mr.. OFFICER then offered a resolution
That IL Is insxpedept TO receive deaf and dumb
children, as pupils institutions except in spe
cia under the age Of ten years and that In
opinion. twelve would be more suitable age for ad-
mission. unless inf will tha NJ
time spent in school
This resolution opened wide field for discus
soD and alter long and animated debate, in which
almost every MEMBER of the convention took an
active part, was carried.
Mr.. W. COOKE then presented the following re-
solution -
That in the opinion Of this convention. the mecha-
niea education Of the deaf Is second in impor
lance only 10 their intellectual and moral education
anu IL should form distinct department In all usti-
buttons for the instruction OF the def and dumb.
Another resolution was offered by MIR. WooD-
RUFF, wiz
Resolved, That the moral welfare OF the deaf mute
children who exposed to corruptng influences be-
fore admission into deaf and dumb institutions, de-
mands that some measure should be devised to pro-
vide for earlier instruction aud moral culture.
IL was carried.
Mr. Brown offered the following resolutions,
which were adopted-
Resolved That petition be presented 10 the homo
rahle Secretary Of the Interior setting forth Inn
porance and value TO the Of the deaf and dumb
Of having complete list Of all the deaf mutes with
the age sex, pros ssop Sc extracted from the orig-
nal schedules and included In an abstract to be pub
lshsd BY the authority Of the government.
z. That the President be requested to warrant the
said petition In the and behalf ofthis venton
Mr. BRowN also presented the following series
oftesoluiions, which were likewise passed -
Resolved, That this convention having learned With
much pleasure that vote Ia pending In congress
granting munidcent donation Of public lands TO the
support OF the insane most srdenty desire the
passage Of Law securing to the insane fund perpetu
ally devoted to their relief.
2 That considering the relative numbers OF the
deaf and dumb their strong claims public benevo-
lence and the expenses Incident to their Instruction
and preparation for the duties Of life they entitled
to aid from the general government
That should anything be done In Congress for the
relief Of the deaf and dumb, . provision should be
made, which would secure TO all the INDECENT the