Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-07-08
DEAF MUTES CONFER.
INTERESTING MEETING IN HALL OF
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
ADDRESSED BY THE MAYOR
ASSOCIATION FoRMED-THEQ QUESTION
OF SEPARATION FROM THE BLIND.

order Dy tGo chairman or the Com mlttee OF
Arrangements, Mr.. Michaels, who stated
the objects of the gathering to be to form
permanent association and secure needed
legislation for the deaf and dumb
He then introduced his Honor, Mayor ;.
Taylor Ellyson. The Mayor welcomed the
mutes to the city in happy speech, which
was interpreted by Professor Guilford D.
Euritt. of the Stanton institution faculty.
Mr.. W. G. Ritter, correspondent of the
New York DEAF Mute Journal, responded
to the Mayor.
After thanking the Mayor on behalf of
the deaf mutes for the cordial Welcome ex
tended them, Mr.. Ritter al uded to the love
of the members of the convention for their
State and Alma Mater and paid high COM
pliment to the capital city and its beautiful
| structures and surroundings.
MEMBERS ENROLLED.
About seventy-five active members were
enrolled in the association and the follow
| ing gentlemen were made honorary mem.
bers: Thomas S. Doyle. principal of the
Virginia Institution; Colonel George E.
Dennis, of Rocky Mount; DR.. B. L. Win
ston, of Hanover; Charles W. s. Turner, of
Front Royal; T. G. Elder, of Staunton; A.
D. Payne, of Warrentop; George Mush-
| back, of Alexandra, and Messrs Queens
bury and Watkins. These gentlemen are
all members of the board of the institution
at Stanton.
| Messrs. Edward A. Hodgson, editor of
the Deaf: Mute Journal, of New York !;
George Porter, editor of the Little Rock
| Optic; Alexander +. Pack, of Easton, Pa. !;
Professor Thomas K. Fox, of New York;
Rev, Job Tarner, Professor Guilford D.
Euritt, and Professor Isaac Humbert were
also put on the list of honorary members.
MEADE F. White, Esq we are informed
by the President, was also elected an hon.
orary member, and that he addressed the
mutes, attended their banquet and exhibit.
ed great interest in their proceedings.]
| Temporary officers were then elected and
the convention took recess untIl P. M.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The first business at the afternoon SEES.
sion was the election of permanent officers,
and the following were elected; President,
dent, Arthur G.. Tucker, of Richmond city !;
house, and Treasurer, S. Clarence Jones, of
Roanoke.
| Colonel George E. Dennis, of Rocky
Mount, was then introduced to the couven-
ton and made an address which was inter-
preted by Professor Eurtt
THE GOVERNORS OBJECT.
Colonel Dennis commenced his address
by declaring that his Lass great effort at
public speaking was to a Sunday school,
and that the effect was to break the Sunday
school up, and that one who knew him bet
ter than anybody else was of the opinion
that the Governor appointed him on the
board of the Staunton Institution because
| he 1.-THE Governor) like herself knew his Pc
culiar failing talking too muchl and wanted
| to remind him of the fact
| The speaker then, after some pleasantly
touching the necessity of affecting women
with dumbuess, said he felG more interest
in the education Of the deaf, dumb, and
blind than in that of all other classes. From
the time of his frat visit to that hollow in
Augusta county, he added, he had felt
deep interest in the pupils Of the Ssaunton
Institution. 10 conclusion, he commended
| the movement set on foot by the members
of the convention, and urged them to give
their views to the world. make themselves
known and felt, and show that they were
worthy of the benefits they received from
the State.
A SEPARATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.
Colonel Dennis's speech made fine im-
preston, and after he had taken his seat
number of Questions were discussed.
the deaf mutes and the blind should be
provided by the State with separate insti.
tutions.
Professor Huu. bert, of the, Staunton deaf
Dumb and Blind Institution, offered the
following, which was unanimously adopted.
i. Whereas Ii is the opinion of those who
have had many years experience in tsach-
ing the deaf and dumb and the blind that
far better results can be obtained by having
them taught In separate institutions than
by having the two classes (the deaf and the
blind) taught in the same Institution; and
whereas this has been shown beyond doubt,
as is proven by the fact that of all the
States in the Union only five have dlal in
etitutions; and whereas it is the feeling and
desire OF tho deaf nutss of this State to put
themselves on plano With thu deaf of 9TH
or States, and to do this 1t is believed
there is 10 better and shorter way than to
have an institution separate aud apart from
the blind; and inasmuch as the blind and
their educators concur in this opinion,
therefore be It
RESOLVED, That the neSt Legislature be
memorialized to make such provisions as
will be necessary for the establishment of
separate institution to carry out the objects
Of these resolutions, and set apart the pres.
ent institution a Steunton for the sole ed
ucation Of either the blind CT tie deaf end
dnmb IS they may deem best.
2. RESOLVED, Thai the Chairman of this
meeting do appoint a committee of five,
whose q, it stall be to prepare and pres.
ent said ...al..cFi4l to the Legislature of Vir-
ginia at Its next session, explain the reasons
and objects Of this action, and to endeavor
to secure the enactment Of snch laws as may
be necessary and proper to carry it into eff
feet.
8. RESOLVED, That the cooperation of the
blind and those concerned in thar educa.
ton is earnestly requested in the further
ance of this measure.
THE COMMITTEE.
The President appointed the following
gentlemen to serve on the committee pro-
vided for in the resolution: Colonel George |
E. Dennis, of Rocky Mount; Thomas s. |
Doyle, principal of the institution, and |
Isaac s. Humbert, and Guilford D. Euritt, |
of the faculty of the school.
Professor Humbert nominated President |
Michaels to serve on the committee and
that gentleman was elected. The commit |
tee will present to the Legislature, which |
meets next fall. aresoiution apking that body
to consider the advisabilty Of separating
the deaf and blind.
A constitution for the permanent organi-
cation was adopted, and herea fter it will |
be known as the "Virginia Asso citation Of |
the Deaf"
ResoItion9 of thanks to the Mayor, the
the hotels, &c., were adopted and
the convention adjourned.
THE BANQUET LAST NIGHT.
Between the hours of 9 and II O'Clock
last night the mutes were royalty entertain
ed at Pizz;ni's On Btoad street. A naagnif-
1cent banquet was the order, and COLA
ton, embracing the most tempting and
delicious yiands was served in splendid |
STYLE NUMEROUS tOaSts were offered and [