Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-25
A DEAF MUTE CONVENTION.
Prominent Educators at q Notable
Gathering in New York
n EVENING STAR

Correspondence Of TIE EVENING STA.
New YORK, August "a.
The largest convention Of instructors Of the
deaf probably ever held in this country and
partaking somewhat Of an international char
acter convened here yesterday in the large
auditorium or chapel Of the New York Deaf
and Dumb Institution on Washington Heights
Upward OF 300 delegates assembled to discuss
and determine upon the best methods Of in
ssructing and improving the condition Of the
Deaf. DIR. E. NJ. Gallaudet of Washington,
DC, president of the National College for the
deaf. called the meeting to order with few
predatory remarks which were translated to
the audience, mainly composed Of deaf, in the
pantomime sign language by the Rev. Thos.
Gallaudet DIR. Alexander Graham Bell also
OF Washington, was nominated temporary
chairman and took the chair amid much
applause. DR.. Bell, In felicitous speech, ac-
knowledged tho honor conferred upon him,
and evidently by his remarks impaired to those
assembled q most fraternal feeling. He was
followed by DR.. J. L. Peet, the principal of the
New York institution, who extended hearty
welcome to his guests, his address being 81
lently interpreted to the deaf with dramatic
effect by Prof. w. G. Jones. DR.. Thos Gallau-
Diet then, on behalf Of the trustees Of the New
come in which he feelingly referred to the past
history OF deaf mute education and the
brighter prospects Of the future. Mr.. F. d.
Clarke OF Little Rock. Ark, Dr. P. G. Gillette
OF Illinois, Mr.. r. Matheson OF Canada and
Prof. E. H. Currier followed in brief and ap-
propriate addresses.
The committee on permanent organization,
consisting of r. Matheson OF Canada. W. A.
Cauldwell Of Pennsylvania, II. C. Hammond of
Illinois. g.. W. Veditz of Colorado and Miss
Richards OF Rhode Island. then reported the
following ticket of permanent officers:
President-W. Wilkinson, California Vice
presidents-J. Scott Hutton Nova Scotia; JW
Williams, Hartford; S. J. Vail. Indiana; d.
Greenberger, New York; Miss E. L. Barton,
Portland, Me-; ]. r. Dobyns, Mississippi; r. P.
McGregor, Ohio, and A. q. Draper, Washing
ton. Secretaries-E. H. Currier, New York;
w. A. Cochran. Wisconsin, and Thos. F. Fox,
New York. Railway secretary-C. N. Brain
card, New York. Committee on business-C.
w. Ety. Maryland; g. o. Fay; Hartford; W. X.
Argo. Kentucky; Jas. Dennison, Washington;
Il. ID. Clarke. Arkansas, and S. I. Walker,
Kansas. Committee on necrology-A. l.. E.
Crouter. Pennsylvania; d. r. Coleman, Canada,
z. E. Westervelt, New York, and Miss X. H.
Fish, Maryland.
Three interpreters we're also appointed to
transfer the words of speakers into the sign
language during the convention
AT the evening session a paper on "The
Standard of Teaching" by Weston Jenkins
principal Of the New Jersey Institution, was
read and discussed by many teachers-both
deaf and hearing-the remarks Of each being
interpreted either verbally or by signs accord
ing to the speakers, several ladies taking part
In the discussion Another paper on Ian
guage Teaching" by Prof. s. W. Swiler of
Wisconsin, was read and briefly discussed To-
day religious services for the dead were hold
In st. AIMS Church at IL a. m. and at the in
stitute chapel in the afternoon. The sessions
OF the convention will continue for several
days. three sessions daily. Moral instruction
of the deaf. manual training, increased oral
instruction and many other topics of interest
to the deaf and those engaged in their instruc-
ton will come up for discussion, and no doubt
the much-mooted question of the proprety of
the intermarriage Of the congenital deaf will
receive attention.
Altogether the convention, considering the
prominence of those attending it, promises to
be one of the most instructive of its character
ever held in this or any other country. Many
letters from abroad were read from persons
regretting inability to attend in person Among
those present from Washington in addition to
President Gallaudet and DR.. Alexander Graham
Bell was Prof. E. A. Fay, editor of 1.-The Amer
lean Annals Of the Deaf" II.