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


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
the day were opened by marshalling the
members present for another photograph.
The conference assembled in the room al
$3.50 this morning, Prof. Matheson, of On
tario, in the chair. Rev. Job Turner, a
deaf mute, and 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 proyid-
Ing increased accommodations for the mutes
in the erection of new buildingse
2. How far should deaf teachers be en-
ployed in our schools?
3. Is Undesirable 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
Resolved, 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-
to secure space and arrange for deaf-mute
department in the Cotton Cente nnial exposi-
ton to be opened in the city of New Orleans,
Dec. 1, 1884.
Resolued, That mmittee 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. Moves, of Minnesota,
as 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 book on Ian
guage teaching, by Mrs. Mary Loughlin, he
recommended it to the consideration OF
the conference. Mr.. Gilett, of Illinois, also
spoke favorably of the book.
Superintendent Moot presented the follow
ing resolution:
RESOLVED, That the practice of some of the
institutions for the deaf and dumb of retir-
ing officers and teachers of long experience,
whose vigor and manhood have been spent
in the service of the institution on a pension
of half pay receive the hearty approval OF
this conference as 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 a request to be
retired upon half pay. After short dis
cussion the resolution was passed, Prof.
Dobyns and few others voting ono"
PROF. GILLEspIEs' PAPER
Prof. Gillespie was introduced to the con-
vention and proceeded to deliver his paper
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 some
length 1t was my privilege to state to the
conference the results of some experiments
had made in this direction. l 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 was
then nothing more than an experiment is
| u.
which reference is made consisted of grown
children. The next class was made up OF
the smaller semi-deaf children. This was also
an experimental class, its object being to see
whether or not the same course of drill would
produce similar results in small children as
were secured from those of more mature age.
| The experiments consisted in speaking
vowel sounds in loud tone of voice. then
| .,-1-o fhn Obi I,
audiphone throughout. At the beginning
they did not recognize sounds as such, but
as a confused noise They had hearing, but
it was in a dormant, useless state. They
were unable to distinguish the difference in
sounds. These children received a drill
from half to three-fourths of an hour daily,
for period of about three months. At the
end of that time they had fair vocabulary
of words, which they could
recognize singly or in sentence
connection readily. The were trained also
during this time to keep step to the music
and this was no small item in determining
the value of the experiment. These two
classes represented nearly every condition Of
pupils which we had or would likely have
| as to age, cause of deafness, degree of deaf
ness, intellectual ability, etc. The result
thus obtained l accepted as proof that this
dominant sense could be aroused, developed
and utilized in the education of this elias:
of children, With this idea in view, the
class of 1882 was formed. The method Of
instruction was the same as in the expert
mental classes, carried out more fully. The
manual alphabet and sign langage were n
used. at least rarely. Instruc
| ton was given orally. Objec
| lessons. pictures, action work. dictation ex
ercises and such methods as practiced in the
| common schools were used. At the close o.
the school year these children had accom-
! plished ali that could be expected of any
class of equal ability, taught by the usua
methods of our institutions. They had 70
cabulary of 200 to 500 words, which they
could recognize by the hearing, and could