The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-04-28

| Miss Parkman advocated the placing l of the feeble--ninded in state institu- tions on the completion of their course l in the special class. She pointed out Ithe dangers of allowing them to go ;, out into the world and to marry. She declared that they should be placed 1 in an institution of the state where they would be continually under SUI I peryision.
 She explained in detail the manner I in which the mental growth of the pupils was determined Drawings were placed before them, and in most cases it was found that the mental 1 growth of the mind of children of Two per cent of the children in pub lie schools who were deficient in their studies were feeble minded
 PROF. GEsSEIL SPEAKS. 1 Her very interesting address was fol- lowed by one on the same subject by Prof A l.. Gesel1 of Yale University. For many years past MT. Gesell has been identified with the uplift of the condition of the feeble minded. His studies have carried him deeply into the subject, and he is considered an authority on the subject.
 MT. GeseH explained to the confer Eeilce that if some measures are not taken for the segregation of the fec b1e minded the growth of this unde-s sirable class would become so great that it would take many years to stamp it out. He explained that the majority of the feeble minded chill dren were not to be found in the l streets but were to be found in. the public schools He said that child who is especially unruly or deficient in it's school work is not given sufii- | cient study. They are expelled when i it is case in most cases of feeble nindedness, and require the care of the community.
 l He told of an example of city that inaugurated a special class. The rubbish and dirt in the basement of I "a public school was cleaned out and 1.-the so called waste humanity was i brought there for instruction. He told his hearers of ti1e/ many useful things taught them, and he said with fproper supervision in the future that they would be kept out of the state l institutions, the jail, the insane asy- lun and the poor house.
 PROBLEMS MUST BE SOLVED IN
 SCHOOL
 I This great problem of the mentally deficient, he declared, mus be solved in the public school, not in the peni-l itentiary the jail, or the refornnatory, where 1t has been tried in the past. Steps. he said, must be taken to rectify this situation. It is essential or the number of mentally deficients will Isoon be in the majority Tn this school he explained, the average age of the pupils was eleven, while their mental Iage was but seven.
 It is after these pupils are graduat- | ed from the school that steps must be taken for their segregation according to this authority. He advocates an institution in Connescticut for the se- gregation of these deficients, so that they will pay back to the state the money expended in their training. A general discussion was then held. Superintendent of Public Charities IGordon of this city, asked the opinion fof fourteen year old youth who had been brought to his attention. This boy knew neither right nor wrong, and at his instigation was sent to the c1in- I ics of St. vincent's hospital for observ- ation- He then asked Dr. Haskell who i has been studying the boy, what the result had been.
 DIR. HASKELL DENOUNCES OFF,
 FTCIALS.
 | Dr.g Haskell explained that the boy I was of the same class that f1led the state reform schools No allowance was made that the boy was menta1Iy Idehcient until some one acquainted with the subject had taken an inter est in the boy This boy has no st memory for figures He criticized Imethods used in the public schools of Iendeavoring to teach pupils who have no faculty for learning. I He denounced the members of the icommon council, board of apportion- 1 profession for failing to attend this sIconvention, which he declared was of vital interest to the city and to those I living in it's confines.
 Mrs. Cogswen, teacher Of the special lclass at Waterville, was then called sEupon to describe the local school and Its pupils. She explained that the leverage age of her pupils was eleven Iyears while their mental age was but five years nine months.
 The pupils, she declareI, were more Interested in the manual work than they were in the mental studies. She iexplained that it was very difficult for them to grasp the studies taught in the public schools.
 A very interesting display of articles and Hartford special classes was ex- hTbited to the delegates to the confer ence. The delegates at the confer fence displayed great interest in this iexhfbit, and after the session it was 1.-the center of interest
 Woodwork such as carved pen trays. Itowel racks, and fancy pieces done in a most creditable manner were the II.chief products of the boys. These tboys while between the ages of eight land sixteen, had attained a mental I growth of but two to seven years.
 EXHIBIT OF DEFTCIENTS. I Beautiful basket weaves, sewing caps, ironing holders, hemmed towels. l embroidered towels scalloping, rag trugs and ornamenta1s of a most un- usual character and beautiful work
 rnanship had been made by the more ladvanced of the girl pupils. The men tai ages of these girls was practically the same as the boys.
 1 And then there were drawings, many silhouette figures and ornamental lWork that both the boys and the girls of these classes have done. However, l it was noticeable that the drawing of these pupils was very poor, and prov ed beyond doubt that the manner lin which the mental growth of these