Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-28
DEAF MUTE CONVENTION.
Ninth Annual Convention Held in Wa
terville on Saturday.

The ninth annual meeting Of the
Maine Mission for the Deaf and Mutes
was held in Waterville, in the building
OF the First Baptist church. Saturday
afternoon and evening. About 60 men,
bers CT the association were present,
including the officers and the most
enthusiastic gathering known to the
history of the Mission was the result.
The first session was called to order by
President A. l.. Carlisle of Bangor and
was opened in the usual way. prayer
being offered by Prof. A. S. Clarke of
tho American School for the Deaf of
Hartford, CT. which was followed by
a short opening address of congratu-
lation and welcome by President Car
Isle. The reports of the secretary and
treasurer were read, both showing that
the conditions, financial and otherwise.
were most gratifying. The following Of
ficers were then elected for the ensuing
year: A. L. Carlisle of Bangor. was
reelected president; secretary. Charles
+. Folsom, Clinton; treasurer, George
w. Wakefield of Brownfield. The meet
ing then voted to hold the next annual
gathering at Sanford. Following this.
the routine business having been COM
pleted, the meeting adjourned.
The second and final session of the
convention was held in the church YES
try. beginning at 7.30 o'clock. The pro-
gram consisted in a talk on "Amer-
lea and Japan" which was given by
Prof. Abel S. Clarke of Hartford, CT.
In his talk the professor gave a most
Interesting outline of the history of the
two countries as concerning their in
ternational relations since the days of
Commodore Perry's diplomatic victory
when the door of Japan was thereby
forced open in the year 1853. His poet
ic discussions, given in the sign Ian
guage was none the less effective to the
observers. judging from the express
sions of their countenances, mean
while The following Sunday was
passed by the body in the First Bap-
fist and Methodist Episcopal churches,
respectively, Professor Clarke acting
as Interpreter. In the evening at the
Methodist church q regular testimony
meeting was participated in by the
muteS. Prof. Clarke then acting as in
terpretcr for the benefit of the regular
church attendants. This has been one
of the most unique gatherings which
has visited the city for some time and
has awakened much general interest.
The headquarters Of the body
was at the Bay View. and the
of Landlord Stinne-
ford We're taxed II :he utmost. Those
who had the privilege of watching tre
convention during the day were treat
60 to a phase of the study of human
nature which the average individual
rarely enjoys.
At the meeting of the association.
which wa3 held In the vestry of the
First Baptist church Of this city, at
80 o'clock in the evening. the MEM
bers enjoyed social hour" during
which the most orderly quiet prevail
ed. but during which amost animated
occupied the minds aud
lit up countenances of the actors. The
informed the reporters
who were watching with much inter-
est the preliminary proceedings that
their conversation was similar to that
of any class of broad minded and edu-
Gated individuals who were keeping in
touch with the worlds progress and
acquainted with the most pertinent
affairs of the times. AS all of those
present had been given the advantages
of a good education and had gradual
ed from the American School for Deaf
Mutes of Hartford, Conn.,. II was ma
tural for them to engage in CONVERSE
ton along those lines of thought
which their minds most enjoyed.