Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-05-14
LOCAL NEWS.
The Deaf and Dumb Conference.

IeeSIOdy afternOcn, the principals OF the
various deaf and dumb institutions OF the
country, now holding a conference AT the
Columbian Institution, Kendall Green, visited
the Capitol and the Insane Asylum, and al the
latter place, after being shown through the
various departments, Were Handsomely enter
tained by Dr. Nichols and the officers Of the
institution, returning to the city late in the
evening, well pleased with their visit.
The Conference reassembled this morning
and was called to order by the President DR.
Peet. Mr.. Gallaudet from the Committee of
Arrangements, reported the order of business
for Today and Tomorrow; also, that arrange
ments had been made for photogrsphing the
members after the morning session: also, that
an exhibition OF the students Of the Columbian
Institution would take place this evening at
O'Clock; also, reported Mr.. l.. NJ Kerr. Vice
Principal OF the Missouri Institute, as a MEM
her, and Messrs. James DennIson and NJ. Bal
lard, of the Columbian Institution as honorary
members. The report was adopted.
The discussion of the papers presented YES
terday on elementary teaching, resumed
by Messrs. Turher, of Hartford, and l. L. Pet
cf New York.
Mr. McIntire, of Indiana, moved the an.
pointm. mt of a committee 10 submit a report on
these two papers, and after ne discussion on
the importance Of agreeing on some opinions,
and as to bow far the principals would be gov
erned by the opinions adopted by the Confer
ence, the motion was adopted, and Messrs Nc
Intire, Gillet, aud L. l.. Peet We're appointed.
Mr.. Gillet read paper on discipline, giving
hints as 10 enforcing order, taking the view
that the rod should not be used except when
absolutely necessary; that expulsion should not
be visited on a student except when the good
OF the institution demands IL because an expul-
sion, on account of the deaf and dumb institu-
tions being so few in number, is tantamount 10
debarring him from improvement; and that the
officer against whom the offence was committed
should have authority for Furnishing the party
Mr.. /. l.. Peet NOV we'd thai, with the exception
Of the last clause, the paper be adopted.
The Chair ruled the motion out OF order.
MIR. Talbot read paper on the proper age at
ShOnld hQ fad m xrh ha
referred TO the fact that many parents ara 10th
to allow their deaf mute children to leave their
homes for the school. Pupils should have a
GOOD degree OF health and strength and be aule
and accustomed to take care of their apparel
Intellectually they should have some deyel-
opement, and usually the deaf and dumb at 10
years old are as developed IN mind as speaking
children OF seven. He referred 10 the fact that the
people are becoming aware of the evils OF send
ing children TO school too early and the lowest
age Is in some States now seven years ins tead
of five and SIX, as formerly. Youth and not
childhood Is the proper age, say from n 10 I3
TO remain seven years, with a due regard to
physical and intellectual ldevelopement
Mr.. Gallaudet, before reading his paper. al
luded 10 the "a CT that parties New England
had claimed him As a convert to their peculiar
views, and he desired to state that he was not a
convert TO teaching by articulation, and foi-
lowed the views OF his father. He proceeded
20 read his paper on the "IncIdental Defects of
the American system of Deaf NJ ute Language"
In IT he refers 10 the fact that the German sys-
tenn OF Great Britain is almost obsolete. In
the United States alone, was there a uniformity
OF teaching; the system followed, being thai
founped by Dr. Gallaudet in l-IT. He referred
10 the fact that institutions had been estab-
lished AT Northampton and New York
by reformers, but they have not
yet demonstrated the superiority of their sys-
tenn, but on the other hand the officers of the
first named told a conimiH Hee OF the Massachu-
sets Legislature that signs were not to be "a ed
but by the last report 1t appears that signs are
used, thus showing that their system has been
changed. These reformers say that they draw
their system from Germany, where they
found that pupils who had taken full course
of instruction had not mastered language.
there should be an advanced course,
which would fit the parties fer life
pursuits. In Manchester, England, he
found branch OF the Deaf and Dumb School
al W hlch there were seventy children, some as
young as five years, and from what he could
learn II WAS very successful one. 1t was
under the care of ladies, and the parents OF the
children think II is great advantage TO them.
de thought that infant schools would be ad-
vantageous here. Signs are used, he thought,
too frequently in our schools, and was one of
our great defects. There Were Incompetent
teachers employed in some schools, aud he
charged that IL was so because boards of di-
rectors procured their services at low rates II
IT was necessary that highly cult waited teachers
were requisite in speaking schools, was il not
more essential that such should be en-
ployed for deaf and dumb schools
This had been so common under these econom.
ical boards that the instruction OF the deaf and
dumb was not now SO successful as thirty years
since. He referred 10 the great want of text
books al some length. Leaving the subject of
defects, he proceeded to speak of the opposing
system, and the reports Of American Profess
sors, European schools, &c. No far trial OF
articulation Zip signs) had been made in this
country, Al Paris he saw the success OF artic-
ulation. as also in Leipsic. The instruc-
tion was not altogether in articulation:
but in connection with the signs. In
France, England Denmark. &c, artioula
ton is used as an auxiliary to the signs
He read an extract from a letter of Prof Hersch,
making correction in paper of his from
which Prof. q. had made an extract to the ef-
feet that be did not oppose the use of the signs
for il would be ridiculous. He claims that the
blending Of the two systenss, signs and articu-
laiions would be advantageous 10 the deaf
mutes, and he would not rule out the panto-
mimic signs. Mr.. /. l.. Peet suggested that il
should be taught in the common schools to
which Mr.. Gallaudet said he would incorpo-
rate the suggestion in his paper. He recapitu-
lated his points, saying that it could not
be denied but that there We're defects,
and the present system was behind
the age. He would not refuse to take from
the opposing system its advantages In
conclusion, to bring the subject Of articulation
before the Conference, he offered a resolution.
that, in the opinion of the Con ference il is the
imperative duty Of all deaf mute institutions to
provide for impayting instruction in articula-
ton to semi I-mutes, (those who spoke before they
lost their hearing.) and those who show a tai.
ent for this kind Of instruction.
Before discussing this resolution, Mr. Giilet
read paper on the same subject; after which
a recess was taken to O'Clock.