PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

EIGHTH CONVENTION

OF

AMERICAN INSTRUCTORS

OF THE

DEAF AND DUMB:

HELD

AT THE INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB,

JULY 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th.

PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO., 25 WELLINGTON ST.

PROCEEDINGS.

FIRST DAY.

BELLEVILLE, 15th July, 1874.

The Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf and Dumb met at four o'clock in the Assembly Room of the Ontario Institution, pre- . paratory to a permanent organization. On the meeting being called to order, Mr. Thomas MacIntyre read the following circular calling the Convention :

ONTARIO INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB.

BELLEVILLE, Ontario, Oct. 17th, 1873.

At the Seventh Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf and Dumb, held at Indianapolis, August 24-26th, 1870, the following resolution was adopted :-" Resolved, that all invitations for the entertainment of the next Convention be referred to the Executive Committee of the Annals, who shall determine the matter, and duly announce the time and place."

The Committee being in session in Belleville, and having duly considered the several invitations received, have unanimously decided to accept the following:

Ontario Institution for the Deaf and Dumb,
Belleville, October 16th, 1873.

E. M. GALLAUDET, LL.D.,

DEAR SIR,

Chairman Executive Committee.

I am authorized by J. W. Langmuir, Esq., Inspector of Asylums, Prisons, &c., to extend an invitation to the Executive Committee of the American Annals of the Deaf and Dumb, to hold the next Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf and Dumb in this Institution, in the summer of 1874. Should the invitation be accepted, we will do all in our power to entertain the Convention in a satisfactory manner.

I have the honour to be

Your obedient servant,
W. J. PALMER, Principal.

Notice is hereby given that the Eighth Convention will meet at the Ontario Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, Belleville, Canada, on Wednesday, July 15th, 1874, at three o'clock in the afternoon.

An invitation is hereby extended to all persons engaged in the education of the Deaf and Dumb in the United States and the Dominion of Canada, to be present at this Convention; and it is suggested to the Principals of the several Institutions that they invite such persons as may have been instructors, or are for other reasons interested in deaf mute education, as might in their judgment properly participate in the proceedings of the Convention in the capacity of honorary members.

The Committee would call attention to the following topics for discussion, some of which have already been suggested in the Annals for July, 1873.

1st.-As to the best means of securing to congenital deaf mutes, of average capacity, an understanding of, and an idiomatic use of the English language.

2nd. As to the best means of teaching articulation and reading on the lips.

3rd. As to the limits of the number that should be taught in one class by a single teacher.

4th.-As to the effect upon the character and reputation of deaf mutes, of assembling together in conventions, &c., after they have been educated.

5th.-A system of word-signs calculated to be a substitute for writing and spelling in the expression of the English language.

6th. The necessity of illustrative apparatus in the education of the deaf and dumb.

7th. The extent of the responsibility of the teacher in regard to the moral and religious character of his pupils.

8th. As to whether the instruction of the deaf and dumb is entitled to rank as a profession, and the rights and responsibilities which are consequent upon a decision of this question.

9th. As to the limits to success in the education of the mass of deaf mutes, growing out of the fact of early or congenital deafness.

10th. As to the advisability of separate Institutions for the deaf and dumb, and the blind.

11th.-Sign writing and symbolic representation.

12th.-Special efforts to furnish deaf mutes with books and periodicals adapted to their needs.

13th. The Bibliography of deaf mute education.

14th. As to the legislation desirable to settle the degree of criminal responsibility of uneducated and partly educated deaf mutes.

15th. As to the advantages and disadvantages of teaching both sexes

in the same class.

16th. Whether deaf mutes should be encouraged to marry, and under what limitations. This involves the question, how far deafness may be expected to prove hereditary.

The Committee request that early notice may be given of intentions to present papers, the titles being forwarded to Dr. W. J. Palmer, Principal of this Institution, who has been appointed Local Committee of Arrangements, and to whom also due notice should be given by delegates of their purpose to attend the Convention.

It is further suggested by the Committee, that the presence at the Convention of a collection of text books, maps, charts, and other appliances used in the several Institutions, would be of great interest to members of the profession; and it is requested that Principals or other delegates prepare such collections, making them as complete as possible, and forwarding them in due season to Dr. Palmer. A large room will be set apart for the exhibition of such as may be transmitted, or brought by delegates.

In the opinion of the Committee, it is desirable that the sittings of the Convention should be more extended than heretofore, and they hope the meeting may continue until Monday, July 20th, devoting Sunday to religious services and meetings of a nature calculated to advance the cause of the religious instruction of the deaf and dumb.

In behalf of the Committee,

E. M. GALLAUDET,

Chairman.

On motion of Mr. Thomas MacIntyre, of Indiana, Dr. H. Landor, of the Asylum for the Insane, London, Ont., was elected temporary President of the Convention; and Mr. D. R. Coleman, of the Ontario Institution, by a similar motion was elected temporary Secretary.

Dr. H. Landor, on taking the chair until the meeting was organized, expressed his good wishes for its success, and the pleasure it gave him to be allowed to help forward, in the slightest manner, the objects of the Association.

Mr. E. C. Stone, of Hartford, moved that a Committee on Credentials and Enrollment be appointed by the temporary President.-Carried. Messrs. E. C. Stone, O. D. Cooke, of New York; and C. W. Ely, of Maryland, were appointed such Committee.

REPORT.

The Committee on Credentials and Enrollment respectfully report that the following named persons are entitled to seats in this Convention, viz.:

AMERICAN ASYLUM.-Edward C. Stone, Principal; Rev. William W. Turner, Ph. D., David E. Bartlett, Job Williams, W. L. Bird, Miss Louisa Stone, Miss Kate C. Camp, Miss Clara R. Larned, Miss Mary A. Mann.

ALABAMA INSTITUTION.-Dr. Joseph H. Johnson, Principal. Honorary Members-Col. A. G. Storey, of Board of Directors, Mrs. A. G. Storey, Miss B. Cunningham.