St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-12
DEAF MUTE TEACHERS.
Proceedings of Their National Conven-
ton at Faribault.
Discussion of Methods of Teaching and Other
Professional Topics.
Especial Telegram to the Globe.

FARIBAULT, July 1.-Interest in the con-
vention of the principals and teachers of in
stitutions for deaf-mutes still continues.
Nearly all the principal institutions in the
United States are represented by one or more
delegates, and many of the most prominent
deaf-mute educators are present. 1t is
notable gathering, and one which would re-
fleet credit upon any community or profess
sion. The work done is quiet, earnest and
effective; the papers presented are full of
food for much thought, and the discus
sion which follows each paper
is thorough. Not only is
the convention interesting as respects mem
bers, but study of the faces of the delegates
amply repays the, trouble They are men
who have grown gray in the service, and
women who have devoted u lifetime to the
education of the rdeaf. One thing which
strikes the observer. as being strange is the
absence of the citizens of Farlbault. If we
leave out of consideration those who reside
here and are actively engaged in the work
as teachers it can safely be said that few, if
any, of the citizens of this place attend the
The convention has finally got down to
work The proceedings of yesterday and
the evening before was merely preliminary.
We had speeches and papers yesterday it is
true, but only taste of what is coming. To
day we are to have three papers with discus
sion. To this must be added remarks from
the prominent arrivals, if we have any.
The session is enlivened by many little in
cidents which are very amusing. 1t is al
most impossible to tell how to address a
stranger, as you do not know if he can I'M
derstand you. The teachers have reduced
this to a science, however, and conclude that
every person present, unless he is teacher,
is mute. In lull in the proceedings a
professor turned to the GLOBE representative
and blandly inquired if he could speak. He
was promptly informed that he could, and
the learned doctor turned away with a grieved
expression on his face. He looks with sus-
picion upon the representative, while the
latter feels like offering his humblest apollo
gies for his course. A little amusement may
also be found by listening to the delegates
commenting upon the new and improved
method by which their names have been
written. Some blame the telegraph operators,
others the com positors, while few are bold
enough to blame the pencil showers present.
The latter, however, feel that they hold the
matter in their own hands, and serenely
continue their work. No matter where the
trouble may be, it is certain that a number
of the delegates present are surprised at the
names under which they have been compelled
to masquerade.
The delegates and teachers present assem-
bled in front of the institute this morning
and made successful effort to look uncon-
scious while an artist engineered a camera
to secure photograph of the members. He
probably knew he would never have another
such chance and so pursuaded that innocent
looking body to form in a line for him, after
several man@verings on the flank and front
of the line, he was successful, and went away
satisfied.
The convention assembled in the hall at
$3.50 this morning, President Mott in the
chair. Rev. Mr.. Shepard, of Texas opened
the proceedings with prayer. The minutes
of the morning and evening sessions of yes
terday were read, corrected, and and APP
proved
The committee on enrolment reported a
list of names to be added to the
roll of active and honorary members
The committee on the order of business
reported the following as the business of the
day: In the morning session-Papers: "a
system of education best adapted to all
mutes, not excluding the weak minded, !"
Prof Williams, Hartford; statistics con-
corning the DEAF Prof. Bell Washington.
Afternoon session-Papers: "Home life in
an institution for deaf mutes," H. A. Tur-
ton, Kansas institution; "The Aural System"
j. A. Gillespie, Nebraska institution; IRE
marks on the Monitoral System,' Prof. J.
S. Moves. There is to be an exhibition of
clay modelling by Prof. Spring, of New
Jersey.
The president announced that the citizens
of Faribaut had raised subscription for
carriages, and, weather permitting, would
call Saturday morning at 8 O'Clock to take
the members for rural drive.
The committe on publication reported IA
vorablY upon an arithematic submitted by
Miss Barton, and suggested that members
present examine the work.
Prof. Bell announced that he had received
telegram from Madison, Wis, announcing
that next Wednesday would be set aside for
the use of the teachers of deaf mutes. He
announced that he would be pleased to send
a telegram to the managers at Madison, an
nouncng the number who would probably
be present if he could secure the assurance
Of number.
Prof. Noys announced that the Northern
Pacific railway had extended the same ex-
cursion rates to this convention for an ex-
cursion to Yellowstone park, Helena, Mon
tana, the Pacific coast or Alaska, as had
been extended to tAe teachers of the conven-
ton at Madison, Wis. He also announced
that the railroad had offered ain excursion TO
Lake Minnetonka and return at one fare.
He hoped none of the delegates would leave
until Monday. He was going fishing some
day, and he wanted the members to go with
him.
DIR. Peet spoke for few minutes on the
report presented by the committee on publ
cation, warmly endorsed the recommends
ton of that committee as regarded the arith-
metic presented by Mrs Barton. DIR. Mac
Intire also added his testimonyas to the mer-
its of the book.
Mr. Williams, of Hartford, Conn, was
introduced to the convention, and had pa
per on "a system of education best adapted
to all mutes not excluding the
weak minded His paper was an appeal
for the union of the sign method and articu-
lation as means of instruction in the same
school. His paper was lengthy, logical and
discussive. He considered the question in
all its biasings, and cited incidents from bis
own experience as teacher to sustain the
position that the combined method is the
most satisfactory. rs it provides for the in
struction of all elasses-eyen the lowest and
most stupid of deaf and dumb. During the
discussion of the relative value of the oral
and combined system of teaching deaf mutes
Mr.. Williams called attention to 30 cases of
pupils who had been dismissed from schools
conducted on the oral system on account of
their inability to learn, and who had secured
s..i,c..I