The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-27
DEAF MUTES IN DEBATE.
CONTENTION IN BINGH A II OF
THE STATE ASSOCIATION.

Discussions Carried On with Frantic Gesticuia-
tions, which Looked LIN n Contest ut
Long Range without Gioves-Tho Porform-
ances Were Picturesque and Exciting.
B~rNeHAMToN, N. Y, July 26.-A State con-
vention has just closed here which was o novel;
~ In Its line. Although the delegates were In
t~elligent men and women. they spent their
time In making frantic gcsticulations. The
sessions opened with q gesture and closed In the
same way. Gestures occupied the attention Of
the delegates between times. When the Chair
man called for tho question before the house he
was answered with a gesture, and the dele
gates made motions in the same fantastic way.
It was the nineteenth convention Of the EN-
piro State Association Of Deaf Mutos, and 1t
might DO added that the delegates had as
many tongues as people have fingers.
While the delegates wero quieter than would
DO those at n convention Of redmen, they were
as interested and enthusiastic. Tho speeches
m ride up in animated signs what they lacked In
oral force. Tho delegates were not afraid Of
listeners, and they carried on conversation
without danger Of disturbing tho speaker before
the house when his remarks got too dry to be
worth listenlng'to When q speaker who 10 not
marks were interpreted by a past master Of the
dumb language who could also hear. When the
Rev. r.. q. Qucnnell OF this city read the Epls-
copalian service the Rev. g. o. Dantzer FOL
lowed him with his fingers, and while he had
to spoil out some OF the words, he kept up the
pace set by the speaker.
There was no whispering out loud. but several
young, couples were Peen motioning out loud,
and when they noticed that they were observed
they put their talking hands between them,
whore everybody couldn't see what was said.
At times the speakers became quite animated,
and The motions they made would have alarmed
u stranger. An outsider could not tell wheth-
er the speaker was making threats. or paying
compliments. There was n Delsartian discus.
sion of the proposition to consolidate st, AIMS
Church for the Deaf, New York, with st, Mat
thew,s, thus extinguisl,ing the historic title Of
The deaf of New York object TO the scheme,
and they have sympnthizers all over the coun-
try.
The discussion of the question looked like the
prcliminaries to a glove contest at long range
o without t ngf gloves; Tia The "rm man mS o9 the Platform m
the air, and then his fingers cut a series OF
sPrgHppg ,t to t h iit feet d,nt They Th Eo, II, n1te .n Wildly
made a motion. and oil the delegates except
one sat down; The man who kept his feet
raised two fingers, and then worked the digits
Of both hands a. If he were trying on a new
s snt IN the he m sst aHW Whli naa the ssS fir, g'i msn dS ieft oSs'
They snook their fists and snapped their fin
gers and by other signs appeared to be trying
hwere not afraid Of him. The, platform speaker
made u few rapid motions, which resulted in a
to be a manifestation OF approval. and thus a
resolution was passed against the proposed con-
Rolidation.
The picturesque performance was repeated,
and 1t looked as though another storm was
brewing. When the excitement snbsided the
outsiders were informed that the convention
had expressed by resolution its opinion that
the supply Of schools in this State for the edu.
cation Of the deaf ID ample, and that moro
would DO detrimental to the best interests of
those they are intended to benefit.
The Rev. Mr.. Quennell In his address re-
ferred to tn. excellent equipment of the Rome
school for the education Of the deaf, and ex'
pressed his regret at the short-sighted policy
of some of the supervisors of this city in re-
fusing to send children to that school. II per
sisted in, he said. 1t might entail upon tho pub.
lie the support Of ignorant adults who, edu'
Gated, would be able to become self;supporting'
The question Of the place for holding the con
vention next year brought out another lively
movement of fingers. This turned out to be a
discussionsof the advisabiiity OF demanding q
guarantee OF a certain number Of members In
, any city which should be chosen. The pre-
vailing sentiment was against the guarantee
1t was the sense Of the convention. however
that assurance should be given the Executiv,
Committee that enough members should bt
forthcoming TO nay the expenses. Of the mex!
convention. Poughkeepsie was favored ant
Buffalo was mentioned, but no place Wa.
agreed upon.