The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-02
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STATE ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF
MET YESTERDAY

Mystic Sign Language of the NimbIe
Fingers Is n Medium of COmmuni-
cation Not to Be DesDfsed as
Shown In the Expertness With
Which 1t Is Used-MayOr Kiefer
Welcomes the Delegation.
The sixth biennial gathering of the
Minnesota Association Of the Deaf
opened last evening in the house Of rep
resentatives Of the capitol.
Archbishop Ireland, Mayor Kiefer
and several others addressed the con-
vention, and a beautifully executed
painting of Supt j. l.. Noyes, founder
Of the work among the deaf in Mime
sofa, was unveiled by Mrs. Charles
Thompson, OF ST. Paul.
Among those present were: Supt. and
Mrs. ]. l.. Noyes. Faribault; Mr.. and
Mrs. 9. A. Roper, st. Paul; Mr.. and
Cowles, Minneapolis: Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles Thompson. st. Paul; L. w.
Hodgman, Red Wing, Mimi; Miss Tel
gel, Faribaut; Mr.. Sheriden, Faribault;
Mr.. and Mrs. Schwdtz, Faribault; Mr..
and Mrs. ]. N. Tate, Faribault; Mr..
and Mrs. w. L. Water, Santa Barbara,
CAL; Mrs. Fannie Kells, Minneapolis;
st. Paul; Q. Hanson, Faribault; Prof.
Smith, Faribault, and Mr.. Howard, Of
Duluth
The convention was opened with
prayer by Archbishop Ireland. after
which Mayor Kiefer welcomed the visi-
tors to ST. Paul on behalf Of the citi-
Zens, and congratulated the convention
growth of the organization.
Archbishop Ireland next delivered
mastery address, interpreted ais was
Mayor Ktefers, by Superintendent
Tate, of the Faribault institution, who
took a position just to the left of the
speakers and went through the neces-
sary pantomine to convey the speakers
words to the audience.
Archbishop ireland said in part: It
affords me great pleasure to speak be-
fore your convention this evening. You
are through your progress doing honor
to yourselves and to your schools.
Your fellow men with whom you as
sociaite should assist you in the every
day affairs Of life, AIS we are all Of one
great family, under one supreme
Father, and should strive to assist one
another in life's journey. We are not
created within ourselves, but to be Of
mutual benefit to OUT fellow men. Some
men are selfish enough to seek only
employees who can accomplish their
work with the greatest rapidity, and
when 1t comes to employing the deaf
or the blind they reason that they
can't afford to employ that kind of
labor. But I am happy to say this spirit
Is fast disappearing, aud a, man does not
hesitate to employ a deaf mute to any
kind Of labor If he is master of his
trade.
Every citizen is under special OBJ
legation imposed by the Great Father
to assist those who experience any DIFF
flculty in getting along. This is Chris
tianity. Some Of our citizens are lack
Ing In this spirit, but most of our peo-
pie are animated to lend a helping
hand where it is needed. But success
depends wholly upon your virtues, and
you have made them such that your
fellow citizens cannot but admire and
| respect you.
"At times you may have difficulty in
getting along, but there is comfort In
the thought that there is one powerful
and willing and who never forgets His
children"
Prof. Sheriden then delivered an ad-
dress, presenting the Farlbault school
with the portrait of Prof Noyes, the
veteran educator. Mrs. Chas. Thomp-
son, wife Of the painter, then unveiled
the masterpiece amid a burst of ap-
plause
livered by A. r. Spear, of Sit. Paul, who
called attention to the magnificent
work done by Prof. Moves among the
deaf n1utes, and Of the marvellous re-
suits attending his work. The asso-
citation organized over twelve years
ago in Faribault, did not at first give
promise of the future which had be-
come assured, but it had been a grad
ual yet steady movement Of advance
ment.
He referred to the bitter fight con-
Quoted in the legislature last winter
over the day school law for the deaf.
He urged the convention to take hold
Of the matter at its session today. He
also urged remedy for the defect in
the statutes which classif1es the deaf
with the associated charities and de-
fectives.
He said that 1t was sometimes diff
cult to persuade the business man that
the deaf were efficient workers and
tradesmen, and that the public must
be gradually educated up to a better
understanding Of their condition. He
suggested that the state convention
unite with the National association in
order to secure uniform legislation and
broader results.
Bishop James GOirick, of Duluth,
next spoke In happy strain, and as
sured them Of the assistance Of the
Catholic clergy whenever 1t could be
of help to them.
A committee on enrolment was ap-
pointed consisting of Delegates
Schroeder, Smith, Bowen, Hodgeman
and Brant.
The convention will discuss matters
at Its session today of general inter-
est, and will attend church tomorrow
at the First Baptist church, where
addresses will be delivered by Rev. J.
H. Loed and Rev F. H. Stillwell. The
convention will take an excursion on
the steamer Henrietta on the Fourth,
and conclude It's deliberations with. a
brief session on Monday.