The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-07-05
PAPER PREPARED ON THIS SUB
JEcT BY FATHER DoNAHoE.

OF the D6dI-MuC6S was prepared Tor
the Conference on Deaf-Mutes, held
at New Orleans, in the early part of
this week. The paper was written by
the Rev. James Donahoe, City Mis-
sionary and Spiritual Director of the
Deaf, st. Paul.
There is much ignorance regarding
the deaf. Many representative citi-
zens have very limited knowledge of
their silent neighbors. One must
learn the language of the deaf and get
into intimate relations with them to
realize how wrong are the views that
are usually held, regarding the deaf,
by otherwise intelligent people. One
does not need, however, to be dis
ciple of L'Epee to know that this
handicapped class are generally con-
sidered to be inferior Intellectually
and socially to their speaking neigh
bors.
In obedience to the command OF a
superior the writer began the study of
the sign language. Having been ap-
pointed Spiritual Director of the deaf
mutes in st. Paul and vicinity, the
writer became acquainted with most
interesting class of citizens. To fit
oneself to freely converse with the
deaf and preach to them is not an easy
task. Only earnest and persistent ef-
forts will develop the ability fruitfully
to perform ones duties as teacher and
moral guide of those deprived of hear
ing.
The promoters of a National Deaf
Mute Conference most aim to gather
pertinent facts regarding their peo-
Pile from all parts of the country. The
topic assigned leaves no doubt of what
is expected OF me. The task is lit
tie too big and | take the liberty OF
restricting myself to the deaf-mutes
of Minnesota. 1t is estimated that
there are about 5000 deaf in our
state. AS there is no private school
for them, they are almost all educated
at the State School for the Deaf at
Faribault. Owing to industrial train.
ing in the State School and progress.
sive spirit on the part of their lead
ers we have many deaf workers who
are skilled in various trades and earn.
ing good GalaFsess On all hands 4iS
found a desire to be self-reliant. The
public does not know how independ
ent the deaf are. Some thoughtless
ill-informed people think they are beg
gars. This very unjust impression has
spread abroad not through the faul
of the deaf but through the rascality
of speaking people, who act the par
and beg with gain to themselves anC
loss of reputation of high grade class
of citizens. The imposter has gone
the rounds time after time, and
though occasionally found out, usually
makes considerable profit carrying OF
his nefarious work. Even when ar
rested he tries to keep up the appear
ances of being afflicted and speaks
only when there is no possibility O.
his successfully taking any longer
Though the public is warned through
the newspapers to be on their guarC
against this breed of parasites, there
vet remains a belief that some o
those mendicants are deaf-mutes. l
is difficult to remove those false views
as they arise from the mistaken no
handicap cannot all be self-support
ing. The social status of my silen
friends can best be known by stating
that during years of charity work il
Minneapolis and st. Paul have neve
been asked to provide the necessarie
of life for the children of deaf parents
The number of law-breakers amon
the deaf is very small. We are glat
to say that there is not single on
in the State Prison. AS skilled work
men they take high rank. Some o
them are earning a considerable in
come and have comfortable homes.
At the last session of the Minnesot
Legislature bill was passed provid
ing for a division for the Deaf in tn
Department of the Commissioner O
Labor This is the first legislation Q
it's kind anywhere enacted, and
marks a notable advance in the rels
tions between the state and hereto
fore under-rated class of loyal cit
zens. The head of this division sha
be called Chief of the Bureau of Ls
Dor for the Deaf, and he is give
plenary powers in looking after tn
interests of his people. The opera
ton of this law will be of great bent
fit to all. 1t will mean that create
attention will be paid to fitting tn
industrially- trained so that they wi
have little difficulty in securing RI
munerative work. 1t will mean tina
employers will not be permitted t
discharge a deaf man merely becaus
of his being deaf; and efforts will b
made to place them at occupation
where loss of hearing does not uni
a man to do his work satisfactorily
In getting this law through the legis
lature it's advocates had more tina
one obstacle to overcome. It was onl
by persistent and intelligent effort
this excellent law was carried throug
both houses. The greatest credit
due to A. r. Spear, manufacturer G
envelopes in Minneapolis, and to Al
ton Schroeder, an inventor who's
home is in st. Paul. Both these me
are deaf. Both have a national stand
ing.
We have come now to the practic
of religion, and as we are intereste
most in those of our faith we wi
consider only Catholic deaf-mutes.
When one considers the great hal
=