Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-06-23
UNIQUE ENTERTAINMENT.
Closing Exercises of the New Mexico
school for the Deaf and the Blind
Last Night-Sign Language
EXemplified.

Last night at Adams hall, in the city
of Santa Fe, occurred the commencement
exercises of the New Mexico school for
the deaf and blind. The hall was taste
fully decorated with flowers, evergreens
and flags, and on the walls thereof, in
large evergreen letters, appeared the
watchwords: "Life is Real, Life is Ear.
nest;" "Our Ship Sets Sail To-day" "Not
for School, but for Life we Learn"
The hall was literally crowded with a
large and attentive audience of ladies and
gentlemen. Every seat and every availa-
BILE inch of standing room was occupied
1t is estimated that fully 300 persons
were present.
Hon. John p. Victory, solicitor general
presided, and the interesting and varied
program, consisting of fourteen exer.
cises, was faithfully carried out in man
ner that reflected much credit upon both
teachers and pupils.
After the opening piece by the Santa
Fe orchestra, Rev. G. S. Madden delivered
brief invocation.
Supt. Larson then delivered an excel
lent opening address in the sign language
of the mutes and at the same time Mrs
E. l.. Bartlett distinctly read it from the
manuscript Mr.. Larson had prepared.
The address gave much interesting in
formation touching the progress of the
work of educating the deaf and dumb ano
closed with an eloquent and touching ap'
peal to all for earnest cooperation in
forwarding the work in this territory.
Daniel Anderson, of Albuquerque, one
of the graduates, then delivered in the
sign language carefully prepared and
thoughtful essay on "Labor Congress-
which was we'll read at the same time
by Miss M. Rideout, oral teacher at the
school.
This was followed by fine selection
on the piano by Mr.. A. Conroy, teacher
of the blind at the school.
Elmo Cleveland, of Silver City, who is
totally deaf, orally recited little poem.
thereby paying high tribute to the oral
instructions of Miss Rideout.
Mr.. G. Duchamin and some ladies fav.
ored the audience with a fine song and
chorus.
William Hern, of Ocate, another gradu-
ate, gave funny story about monkey
churning, which was interpreted by the
oral teacher.
Mr.. Conroy gave another fine instru-
mental selection on the piano.
Fred W. Weber, another graduate, gave
in signs an essay on the advantages OF
Education," with the class valedictory,
also interpreted to the audience by Miss
Rideout.
The hymn, "God Be With You Til We
Meet Again." was given in signs to the
graduates by Mrs. Larson, while Mrs. b.
L. Bartlett and Mrs. E. j. Mclean sang
it, Mr.. Conroy accompanying them on
the piano. 1t was very touching.
Gov. w. =. Thornton delivered fitting
address in presenting the diplomas to
the graduates, congratulating them that
they were now prepared to make their
way in the world and pledging himself to
do all in his power to help the institution.
The governors address was rapidly in
terpreted to the mutes IN signs by Miss
Rideout.
Mr.. L. G.. Read also delivered short
address in Spanish praising the work of
Mr.. and Mrs. Larson and the excellent
progress of the school under their man
agement.
The exercises closed with benediction
by Mr.. Madden.
This school is one of the most interest
ing educational institutions of the terri
tory and its work has been conducted
we'll and successfully. Prof. Larson has
been the pioneer in the work of educating
the afflicted of the territory for ten years
and has achieved success with honor in
spite of the many adverse circumstances
connected with the school.
The department of the school for the
education of the blind has done good work
during the past year under Mr.. Conroy
1t will receive merited attention in these
columns tomorrow.