Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1873-01-28
TENNESSEE DEAF AND DUMB SCHOO l.
visit of the House Committee on Charita.
bic observation-disclosures and Profit
al

visit of the House Committee on Charita.
BILE Observation-Disclosures and Profit.
table Exercises,
| Yesterday afternoon, about o clock, the
House Committee on Charitable Institu-
tions, consisting of Messrs. Noblitt, Harris,
Hyder, Eckle, Cottrell, Denny, West,
earns, Kerr, Board, Regain, Orr, Allison,
Tate, S. G. Martin and Beals, accompanied
by Messrs. Joseph Jaques, Samuel b.
Boyd, John M. Boyd, Alfred Caldwell,
John l.. Moses, L. c. Shepard, George H,
Smith, and john S. Van Glider, Trustees
of the Institution, Mr.. Purvis, of the
Nashville Banner, Major Thomas
O'Conner, Col. Fleming, Senator Rich
ards, and reporter of the CHRONICLE,
proceeded to the Tennessee Deaf and
| Dumb Asylum at this place to examine in
| to the workings of the institution and pro-
Ijams, the energetic Principal, was duly
| on hand, ready to receive all with cor
dial shake Of the hand.
Alter the usual introductions and eX-
change of greetings the party was conduct
ed to the reciting room and comfortably
seated, and the entire school made their
| appearance. And here we would state that
more interesting and intelligent looking
school of any kind can hardly be found
| in the State.
| -FOUR members of Mr.. Iiams' class
were the first to make their appearance on
the stage, and on large states wrote in
words of their own dictation their appre-
citation of the committees visit, while one
member Of the class in signs, translated
by Prof. Ijams, rendered the following
hearty welcome to the committee:
| "GENTLEMEN In behalf of the officers
and teachers and pupils of this Institute,
L cordially bid you welcome. To us this
visit of yours is pleasant, encouraging and
profitable.
sometimes to appear publicly and thus
have an opportunity of demonstrating the
| advantages of our school.
1t is encouraging because it reminds us
that though afflicted, we are not despised
nor neglected by those more highly favor
ed, and it is profitable because itinctes us
to renewed exertions to excel in study.
Years ago the sympathy of the public
in our behalf found practical expression in
the establishment of this Institute. We be-
| lieve, therefore, it has faithfully fulfilled
4
and determination of the trustees and Off
| GERS of this school to render it second to
| no similar Institute of the character in
| the country in point of excellence. We
point with feelings of pride to the rapid
| growth and consequent usefulness of our
| school.
We regard with qualification the inn
| proved appearance of our building and
| grounds, and we believe you, gentlemen,
I or16 frrIc hn r,,oI i,ar 20
| these feelings in common with US.
Again, gentlemen, we bid you welcome
and we trust the visit may prove every
| way enjoyable to you, and that you may
| carry away with you the pleasantest and
| most favorable impression of the Tonnes
zee School for the Deaf and Dumb"
After the address of welcome, three
young ladies of Mr.. Ijams class, Misses
Emma II. Rutledge, Rosa A. Howell and
| Mary G. King, three as interesting looking
| young ladies as we have ever had the
| pleasure to see, gave an evidence of their
| mental culture in some interesting eXer-
cises OH the slate. They gave the names
| of their different studies, and when asked
| to write down the name of their favorite
study, and one Of them, out of such q large
selection of studies, wrote down in large
| letters, 1.-The Bible" we could not help
| but think of Mary at the SaviOr!S feet.
| representation Of Faith, Hope and Charity,
| their signs being translated by Prof. Ijams.
Their eyes Spake more than the lips O
many would utter, and if there was a heart
there that was not affected, or an eye that
was not ready to run o5er in tears, the
countenances of the party most certainly
deceived us.
The next on the programme was the
youngest class in the institution. They
| have only been under instruction for about
four months, and were really he sur
prised to see the advance they had made.
They could write their names and short
sentences, and gave numerous eviUCucca
of rapid progress in their studies.
This was followed by some interesting
| exercises by some of Mr.. Lyons class,
which was conciud ed by a laughable farce,
Going West, or the Railroad Smash-up."
MIR. Branner one of the mute teachers,
then entertained the committee with 4
number of humorous characters. As q
facial caricaturist he is certainly Il rival of
Sol Smith Russell.
The contrast between an educated and
uneducated mute was splendidly rendered
by two young men of the Institute
Mr.. Moses class acquitted themselves
very creditably, showing that the culture
of their youthful minds has been in safe
hands.
Mr.. Houghton's class showed a wise pro-
ticiency in compositions for children Of
their age.
The exercises were concluded by the
young ladies before referred to of Mr.
Ijams' class, and some few others with
the repeating in signs of the hymn:
Prayer is the souls sincere desire
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of hidden fire
That trembles in the breast
After which the Lords prayer was re
peatedin concert by the class rT ~
Mr.. 1jams then stated that if any of
the members would speak few words of
encouragement to the school, such words
would be thankfully received.
Hon. John s. Kerr, of Memphis, a mem
Der of the committee, being invited to adj
dress the muteain few words of encour-
agement, did so, and at the request of Prof
Iiams spoke sufficiently slow that the adj