St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-13
DEAF MUTE TEACHERS.
Proceedings and Discussions of Their
National Convention Yesterday.
A Meeting this Evening for the Discussion Of
Moral Training.
Especial Telegram to the Globe. !


FARIBAULT, July 12.-The conference here
has reached the height as regards interest
and members. Many OF the teachers are
preparing to leave, although the conference
does not adjourn until Mondoy evening
The ride through the town and suburbs,
which had been arranged for this morning,
was found impracticable, and the services of
members present for another photograph.
The conference assembled in the room at
$50 this morning, Prof. Matheson, of On
tario, in the chair. Rev. Job Turner, a
deaf mute, and a missionary at large, lead
in prayer. The minutes Of the last meeting
were read and approved.
The chairman of the committee on Gre
dentials reported the names of four honor
airy members to be added to the list. The re-
port was adopted.
The committee on order of business re-
ported the following exercises for the day:
PRESENTING OF RESOLUTIONS.
''Aural Method" paper, by Prof. Gillespie,
of Nebraska.
Remarks by Prof. Noyes upon the Monato-
risl system.
The following questions were also an
nounced for discussion:
1. What plan should be recommended to
boards of trustees and legislatures in provid-
ing increased accommodations for the mutes
in the erection of new buildings
2. How far should deaf teachers be en-
ployed in our schools?
3. Is it desirable to separate the sexes in
the school room!
4. How best can friction be avoided in ar
ranging classes in articulation and the sign
classes?
Prof. Greenberger, of New York, address
ed the convention in explanation of certain
language used in his last report.
Prof. Williams, of Hartford, Conn, COM
plimented Mr. Greenberger and other mem
bers also spoke in complimentary terms in
regard to the course pursued by the gentle
man.
Superintendent Dobyns, of Mississippi,
offered the following resolution:
Resolyed. That it is the sense of this con-
ference that the interests of deaf-mutes and
the subject of their education have assumed
such proportions and demand such atten-
ton that it is deemed proper and desirable
to secure space and arrange for deaf-mute
department in the Cotton Centennial exposi-
ton to be opened in the city of New Orleans,
Dec. 1, 1884.
ReS0leed, That committee of three super
intendents be appointed to consider the
feasibility of such place and if found prac-
ticable to make the necessary arrangements.
RESOLVED, That we will lend such move
men. all the aid in our power and give it our
hearty cooperation.
The resolutions were favorably acted upon,
and the chair appointed Prof. Dobyns, Of
Mississippi, Superintendent Greenberger, OF
New York, and Prof. Noyes, of Minnesota
as a committee to examine the feasibility Of
| the plan.
Mr.. Williams, of Hartford, of the com
mittee on publication, announced the recep
ton of the manuscript of a book on Ian
guage teaching, by Mrs. Mary Loughlin, ht
recommended it to the consideration o.
the conference. Mr.. Gillett, of Illinois, also
spoke favorably of the book.
Superintendent Moot presented the follow
ing resolution:
RESOLVED, That the practice of some of the
/
ing officers and teachers of long experience
whose vigor and manhood have been spen
in the service of the institution on pension
of half pay receive the hearty approval O.
! this conference as a matter of justice.
The resolution called forth spirited dis
cussion, few members, lead by Mr.. Dob
yns, of Miss, taking ground that the pas
sage of such resolution was request to bt
retired upon half pay. After short dis
cussion the resolution was passed, Prof
] Dobyns and few others voting "No.''
PROF. GIILEsPIEs' PAPER.
Prof. Gillespie was introduced to the con
vention and proceeded to deliver his pape
upon "Aural Instruction" Mr.. GILLESPIE
said
1t will be remembered that at the last meet
ing of this conference in Southampton
Mass, this subject was discussed at SOM
length. 1t was my privilege to state to tn
conference the results of some experiment
had made in this direction. / then ex
pressed the hope that great good would re
/ suit. 1t is my privilege now to give some
what of the fruition of this hope. What wa
then nothing more than an experiment il
now a demonstrated fact. The class Il
which reference is made consisted of grown
children. The next class was made up
the smaller semi-deaf children. This was ais
an experimental class, its object being to Sc
whether or not the same course of drill woul
produce similar results in small children a
were secured from those of more mature age
The experiments consisted in speakin.
vowel sounds in loud tone Of voice, ther
words and sentences, the children using tn
audiphone throughout. At the begin min
they did not recognize sounds as such, bu
as a confused noise. They had hearing, blu
it was in a dormant, useless state. The
were unable to distinguish the difference il
sounds These children received a dri
from half to three-fourths Of an hour daily
for period of about three months. At the
end of that time they had fair vocabular
of words, which they coul
recognize singly or in sentenc
connection readily. The were trained ais
during this time to keep step to the music
and this was no small item in determinin
the value of the experiment. These tw
classes represented nearly every condition {
pupils which we had or would likely have
, as to age, cause of deafness, degree of dea
ness, intellectual ability, etc. The resu
thus obtained / accepted as proof that thi
dominant sense could be aroused, deyelope
! and utilized in the education of this clas
; of children, With this idea in view, til
! class of 1882 was formed. The method {
instruction was the same as in the exper
mental classes, carried out more fully. Til
! manual alphabet and sign language were n,
, used. at least rarely. Instrut
ton was given orally. Objet
, lessons, pictures, action work, dictation e.
ercises and such methods as practiced in ii
! common schools were used. At the close
the school year these children had accom-
plished all that could be expected of an
class of equal ability, taught BY the usu
methods of our institutions. They had VI
cabulary of 200 to 500 words, which the
. could recognize by the hearing, and coul
speak and use in conversation quite vel