I went there, I heard of her, and sent circulars and reports to her parents, and also sent a friend to give them an invitation to come to the institution and bring the young lady with them. At one time Mrs. Noyes was there, and I asked her to go in and see her. I sent message after message, with reports and circulars, and documents of various kinds, until, finally, I got word from them, that I had better stay away. I went there once myself. The father is a carpenter, and a man of some little respectability. When I went there, this young lady had a room that she went into, very much like a dog going into his kennel; and they insisted on keeping her in her ignorance and degradation. Another case that I knew of, was that of a fine boy, growing up to manhood, who was kept constantly plowing and working on the farm. They kept him there in ignorance, for the purpose of being the better able to hold him, and keep him there. I say, therefore, that such a law as I have alluded to, in my paper, will do good.

There are children who will grow up and fill our jails and almshouses, unless we get a law that will compel those having charge of them, to let them come to the institutions.

There was a law in our State, at one time, that required the father to go before a Judge of Probate, and swear that he was poor, in order to get a child in there, but that is abolished now. There are imaginary evils, however, that they look upon as so formidable that they will never take a step towards the institution, unless there is something that says, authoritatively, you must.

I am bound, if the Lord helps me as hitherto, to educate the deaf and dumb children of the State of Minnesota; but, in order to do it, I want something behind some of these parents like a compulsory law. I think, gentlemen, that, if you will look at the signs of the times, and see what some of our leading men, at the present time, are doing, you will see that they are coming right to this point; that every man and woman, who is going to be a voter of this country, must be able to read and write, and think independently for themselves. I know a man who is going to Congress right on that position.

A paper was then read by P. G. GILLETT, entitled: "On the Organization of an Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb," as follows:

ON THE ORGANIZATION OF AN INSTITUTION

.

FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE

DEAF AND DUMB.

BY PHILIP G. GILLETT, A. M.

It is not the purpose of the present paper to enter into any extended disquisition upon the importance of organization in all enterprises, but in a few pages to indicate the general principles which should underlie the organization of one of our institutions. As an army, however much of courage its assembled multitudes may add to the most scientific engineering skill and effective paraphernalia of war, without organization, is but an unwieldy mob; as a great avenue of commerce, though fully equipped for rapid and comfortable transportation of passengers and freight, without organization among its managers and employes, becomes but a wasteful agency of destruction, confusion and death; as a commercial enterprise, however extensive its scope and ample its means, without organization results only in bankruptcy, dishonor and ruin, so one of our institutions, however profoundly learned the members of its corps of instruction, however expert its presiding officer in financial affairs, or experienced in methods of instruction, however salubrious its site, however commodious its buildings and extensive its pecuniary resources, furnishing the best possible libraries and apparatus, without systematic organization, not only fails to fulfill the ends contemplated in its establishment, but will inevitably produce some pernicious results in the character and habits of thought of its beneficiaries. It consequently becomes the question of first importance, What is the best plan of organizing an Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb?

The proper organization of an institution for deaf-mutes, in its moral aspects, is of more gravity than the organization of any other educational enterprise, because, by reason of their infirmity

the changes in officers and teachers are as frequent as in the latter.

One paragraph in the paper read is, I think, calculated to lead to misapprehension. It is the one relating to stewards, and recommending the employment of clerks instead. The definition of the duties of that office and its relation to the executive head of the institution are, in the main, correctly given; but it is calculated to mislead to designate it by the name of clerk. Occasionally, in Eastern institutions, it has been called by the name of guardian or curator, but never before by this term. All institutions of this kind have stewards, and in the West it is well understood what is meant by the term. I believe the one in Illinois is not an exception in fact, but only in name. We have a steward, and also a secretary

of the board.

Certainly, the writer does not mean to recommend that, in a well organized institution, this office should be dispensed with; I do not so understand him. The principle laid down in the paper, that the steward should perform his duties as such in subordination to the superintendent, is right; but it will not prevent a conflict of authority by changing the title of the officer.

A conflict of authority might arise between the superintendent and steward, though I have never experienced anything of the kind, by the violation of the principle laid down in this paper. Should a board of trustees deal directly with the steward, and, in their individual capacity, intervene in the control of the internal affairs of the institution, then, there might be difficulty.

In this institution it is one of the first principles laid down in our by-laws that the superintendent is the organ of communication between the board and his subordinates; and that they are responsible to him, and he to the board, for the manner in which they perform their duties. It is by the practice of this rule and the principles laid down in the paper just read, and in the report of the Committee on Organization, submitted in 1857 to the Convention at Staunton, Virginia, that this institution has, for so many years, been managed with entire harmony in all its departments.

MR. CHURCHMAN.-I rise to tender my thanks to the Convention for the honor of the invitation extended to me. My work is a different one from that which is pursued by the members of this Convention; yet it is in a kindred direction. It is well known to you that my department of education is with the blind; therefore,

I am not informed in regard to the details of the management of institutions for the deaf and dumb. Yet there is a great deal of a general character in which the two classes of institutions are alike. The organization, for instance, of institutions, as set forth in the paper just read, and, in fact, the organization of such institutions generally, are quite similar; and, I think I might say with safety that everything that is recommended in the paper just read, is equally applicable to institutions of the character of those with which I am connected.

I do not know that, as a member of the Convention, I shall be able to throw any light on any subject that comes before you; but if anything should suggest itself, I should be glad to express any views which may occur. But I rise at this time mainly to express my thanks for the honor of membership conferred on me.

ISAAC LEWIS PEET.-I am unwilling to let this matter go further, without adding my own approbation to the sentiments of this paper, and my general accord with the views of the writer. I think his suggestions, with regard to his co-laborers in the profession, are liberal. I believe in the principle of giving an adequate compensation to every gentleman who separates himself from the world without, and devotes his life and his best efforts to the promotion of this great and good work. And while I would shun the idea, on the part of every member of the profession, of working simply for hire in so great and noble a work as this, in which it is a privilege to sacrifice one's self, at the same time, I think that the idea of being free from pecuniary trouble, the idea of being unembarrassed by considerations of comfort and of the support of one's family, add very much to the efficiency of a teacher. And while I would not have any man grow rich in the profession, still, I think we can not, when we come together as teachers, too strongly present to the public our idea that we ought to be made comfortable, and ought not to be embarrassed by considerations of a pecuniary character.

The point which Mr. Mac Intire made, that the members of a board of trustees in their individual capacity have no authority whatever in an institution; but, that in their corporate capacity, where the board, as a board, gives directions, the principal should never, under any circumstances, try to evade the carrying out of their wishes, publicly and fully manifested, can not be too strongly maintained by every member, That point, it seems to me, covers the whole ground.

THOMAS GALLAUDET.-It is my privilege to be a member of the board of directors of the institution for the deaf and dumb in New York; and, as a member of that board, I wish to indorse the views presented in the paper read this afternoon. Should Providence continue my connection with that board, it will be my effort there to have such principles maintained and carried out.

MR. MAC INTIRE.-I think that the expression dropped awhile ago by my venerable friend, Dr. Peet, in regard to the determination of Conventions like this having no influence upon boards of trustees may be true in some instances, but not in all. It is not true with reference to the Western institutions, or new institutions anywhere. I think the decisions of this Convention will exert a very great and good effect; and I would be glad if the sentiments of this Convention upon this subject could be embodied in a more positive form than merely the individual opinion of the members, and laid before all our boards of trustees.

The members of the board in this State are elected for a term of years; as members go out of office, new ones come in and take their places, and often men are chosen who can not give that amount of time and attention to the interests of the institution that is the case in the East, where they have self-perpetuating boards of trustees-men of wealth and leisure.

Trustees rely more on the opinion of the profession here than they do in the East. I can assure the members of the Convention that this paper will have a good effect, and will influence and aid trustees in the organization and management of new institutions.

MR. NOYES.-I wish to say one word at this time in reference to boards of directors. In my experience of some four years duration I have never had any one to interfere with the management of our institution, but have had the most cordial support and a clean page opened to me without any hindrance. Only one little trifling thing has ever been a source of difference of opinion. While I indorse emphatically the article just read, I believe every paragraph of it will be carefully examined by the men that I have to confer with from time to time; and if it can be in all our institutions, especially in the West, it may be made of very great service to the interests of the cause. I am confident this article will be of great service, especially in the younger States.

MR. PALMER.-I did not hear the whole of the article read. What I heard of it I heartily indorse; and I regret that one of