Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-08-21
CONVENTION OF DEAF-MUTES.

The 3rd annual Convention of the
Virginia Association of Deaf-mutes
was held in Richmond on last We'd
nesday and Thursday.
FIRST DAY.
Shortly after 10 o'clock a. ~, We'd
nesday, August 14th, the Convention
was called to order by Secretary, ".
c. Ritter, with about fifty delegates liz
attendance. Mayor Taylor occupied
a seat near the chair. The secretary
explained the absence OF the president,
who was delayed through circum
stances unavoidable. The second vice
president was also absent and the third
vice president, Miss Lucy Argabright.
being called to the chair, requested
Mr.. Ritter to preside in her place.
The opening prayer was offered by
Rev. Job Turner, a deaf mute minister
of the Episcopal church. Chairman
Ritter then addressed the body ex-
planning the aims and objects of con
yentions of deaf mutes.
He said, among other things, that
the farmers have their alliances, the
LAWYERS their associations, the real es
tate men their exchanges, the gallant
men of 'G1-'65 their reunions, etc, and
he saw no reason why the deaf should
not have their meetings also. At the
conclusion he gracefully introduced
Mayor Taylor.
The Mayor was in fine humor and
extended to the convention hearty
welcome.
The presidents address was read by
Mr. Tucker, of Richmond, in the sign
language and translated into speech
by Prof. Euritt, the official interpreter.
The president recommended COM
mittee to memorable the Legislature
for a separate school for the blind and
Ritter, appointed Hon. S. IL. Miller, of
Lynchburg; Hon. B. L. Winston, of
Hanover, and Capt Thomas J. Crow
der, of Staunton, as members of the
committee to act for the board of the
institution.
The prefident will appoint two addl-
tional members of the committee Ia
ter.
The convention was then addressed
on the subject of separate schools by
Messrs. Miller aud Winston. They
made very happy speeches, which
were freely applauded.
The convention adjourned at 1890 to
meet Thursday morning at $50.
SECOND OAK.
The separate school memorial was
again taken up. Prof Henry A. Bear,
teacher of thirty-five years in the
deaf-m department of the institu-
ton at Staurton, addressed the associ-
alton. He declared that the present
combined school could never be ex-
pected to do fer either the deaf or the
blind what the Legislature meant the
appropriations to do, to give those
afflicted with deafness and blindness
an education equal to and excelled by
none given by those States which have
separate schools He said that al
though the blind numbered hardly
more than half as many as the deaf,
yet the blind took up more room than
the deaf at the present school.
Rev. Job Turner, who, by the way,
was the first teacher of deaf mutes in
Virginia, next addressed the body.
He said the Legislature Of 1888 or
Whereabouts established the school
solely for the deaf, and several blind
pupils were shortly afterward given a
room in the school ard placed under q
teacher. This was only an expert
I'ment," ana it has proven very tbs
astrous experiment.
The following officers were elected
President, William G. Ritter. of Staun
ton; vice president. Daniel H. Rohrer
of Rockingham county; secretary
Arthur 6. Tucker, of Richmond; treas
urer. S. G. Jones, of A!bemarle. The
association unanimously elected Prof
Guilford d. Euritt chaplain for the
next two years. The place OF holding
the next convention was left with the
board of directors of the association.