Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-26

In catching the speakers eye" az some men,
bers 81 Congress do at the flag end Of . session.
They would first wave their hands in mild APP
peais for notice: Then, no result coming, the
entire arm would begin to sway, and finally
the delegate would have to jump to his feet and
swing both arms in wild gesticulation until
the presidents fingers pointed him out a. the
next speaker.
CLOSING ExEacIsEs OF TIE coLLRax.
large number of deaf mutee gathered in
the institution chapel at O'Clock to witness
the closing exercises of the college. The plat
form was occupied by the faculty of the col
lege and the teachers of the Kendall school
After few remarks by the president certif-
Gates OF honorable dismissal we're given to six
OF the pupils Of the Kendall school and the de-
gree OF bachelor Of sciences was then conferred
upon 7. s. Mari, Of Tennessee, and o. E. c.
Harah, OF Pennsylvania. and the degree Of
bachelor of arts upon H. Van Allen. of New
York; G. W. Charles. Of Ohio, and ]. s. Long,
OF Iowa. After few words to the graduating
class from the president the meeting was dis
missed and the convention began its session with
President Hodgson in the chair. The invoca-
ton was made by Rev. A. w. Mann, of Cleve-
land, Ohio. The official call of the meeting,
was read and q committee of three was APP
pointed to enroll members.
PRESIDENT HoDesoN's OPENING ADDRESS
Mr. Hodgson in his opening address to the
convention, after referring to the gathering as
the most memorable, if not the most important.
In the annals of the deaf, suggested number
OF subjects for the consideration of the conven-
ton.
Probably" he said, ''the most important of
these is the question of accurate statistics con-
corning the deaf. So much has been published
upon the heredity of deafness that it rests with
US to lend our aid in the collection of verified
facts and figures about deaf mutes. Incl
dentally this information may be used to
either dlsprove or verify what, to most Of
US, seems an absurd theory on the danger Of
deaf-mute intermarriages. We must settle
forever the sensational alarm concerning
the formation of deaf variety of the human
race, not with assertions only, but by an array
OF evidence that will cause Prof. Bell to haul
down the danger-signai he has hoisted, and
free us from the incubus of what is becoming
widespread public prejudice. These statistics
could be SO collated as to reveal the rela-
tive effect of different methods Of instruction
upon the social condition of the deaf in their
intercourse with those who can hear. The in
huence of the manual and industrial training
received while at school should also be ascer-
vocations tabulated, with the difficulties
encountered and successes attained in pur-
SUING them There is no question of more
vital importance to the mass Of deaf mutes
than that OF proper industrial training. This
does not imply that the deaf should be taught
mechanics only. 1t merely recognizes the we'll
Known fact that by far the greater number of
deaf mutes at present do and in the future will
rely upon manual labor-skilled or otherwise
for obtaining livelihood, and even the few
whose tastes and talents incline and enable
them to engage in professions or callings that
demand the exercise of mental ability will find
that manual dexterity will not retard them
He suggested also that the proposition to have
the manual alphabet taught in the public schools
should receive attention, and that steps be
taken to remove existing obstacles excluding
deaf mutes from civil service examinations. He
urged that they should have more perfectly
and truly national organization, and that this
convention should depute members to repre-
sent it at the international congress of deaf
mutes to begin in Paris July TO-
PROMINENT DELEGATES PRESENT
This mornings canvass of the convention by
the committee on credentials showed the pres
ence OF ia regular delegates, but the number
in attendance upon the convention is much
larger than this. Among the most prominent
delegates are the following: E. A. Hodgson,
New York, president; T. F. Fox, New York, sec
rotary; III. White, Utah, secretary; D. w.
George, Illinois, treasurer; NJ. Heyman, New
York; II. Van Allen, New York; E. Souweine,
New York; h. McGregor, Ohio; 8. b. Greener
Ohio; X. B. Patterson, Ohio; A. H. Schory
Ohio; s. G. Davidson, Pennsylvania; B. r. ALA
bye, Pennsylvania; Rev. J. Cloud, Illinois;
r. Hasenstab, Illinois; G.. T. Dougherty, Mis-
souri,; ). i. Smith, Minnesota; W. II. Weeks,
Connecticut; G. Newall New York; H. Haight.
New York; George Veditz, Maryland; Job Tur-
ner, Virginia; T.. Godfrey. New York.