Thurs 9 Sept

Summary of the day's Proceedings – Thursday 9th September

The Sitting commenced at 8am.

Signor Fornaei (Milan) read conclusion of the minutes of the previous day's proceedings, on which M. Guerin (Marseilles) followed with the minutes in French, the minutes in English having been read in full on the preceding day. Announcements were made from the Chair that in the afternoon, from 2 to 4 o'clock, the School for the Poor would be open for inspection, and that at 8pm, there would be a drama performance at the Royal Institution by some of the deaf pupils, also that there would be an examination next Sunday at 12.30pm of the girls and former pupils of the Poor School of the province.

Telegrams from Dr. Matthias (Freidberg) and Herr Schidbel (Zurich) were read, sending cordial greetings to the Congress.

Summary of the day's Proceedings.

The L'Abbé Balestra invited the Members to visit his school at Como after the close of the Congress.

The President then proceeded with his address, saying that the Pure Oral Method gave to the pupil correct pronunciation , facility of speech, and exact comprehension of words, with easier use of them, and that the great advantage of the method was to develop in the most natural way the tender faculties of the pupils. This method, too, was particularly adapted to the teaching of religion. He also fully agreed with what had been read by Mr. Brambilla. When God gave a soul to man, He gave him the faculty to form ideas, and to express them He gave them speech. He added that he had taught religion for many years by signs, but decided definitely to adopt the Pure Oral system, because he was satisfied that his pupils instead of understanding abstract ideas, which he endeavoured to convey to them by means of signs, were only placed in possession of grossly material images.

M. L'Abbé Guerin (Marseilles), in translating this address, added that he was a convert to the Pure Oral Method. The impossibilities urged against the system cannot stand before the analysis of the arguments of the purists. He was also glad that M. Franck, his countryman, had acknowledged the superiority of the Oral method over that of signs. He concluded by thanking the whole Congress, and in particular those ladies who had spoken fo firmly and so well, and ended a most eloquent speech amongst loud applause.

M. Ekbohrn (Bollnas, Sweden), following, said that he voted for speech - pure speech, but did not think the system could be applied to all deaf-mutes, as some intellects could not be reached by the simple speech word.

Mr. Kinsey (Ealing, London) called attention to the fact that but very little time remained for the discussion of the large number of questions on the programme, pointing out how very important certain of them were the general benefit of the deaf, more particularly in afterlife. He thought that, after the most eloquent and powerful addresses of the President yesterday and today, the discussion might be closed, and begged to submit the following resolution to the Congress -

"That members desiring to read papers prepared for the Congress by invitation should have precedence over those members who have already been accorded such an opportunity, of who have spoken at some length more than once".

Mr. Kinsey went on to say, that as he had been called upon by the President , on several occasions, to speak upon the questions before the Congress, and had declined to do so, on the ground that he could not read detached portions of his paper which dealt with most of the questions on the programme, he asked that his paper might be read in two parts.

M. Houdin (Paris) observed that as he had always worked for the Oral system, he was surprised to have been alluded to as a partisan of signs. He applauded those heartily the Pure Oral Method.

Mr. Arnold (Northampton, England) said that in England a strong feeling existed in favour of the Combined System. He was altogether opposed to it, as it was nothing more than a compromise fatal to both systems. The Pure Oral Method is not a failure when carefully used. It supplied the best instrument of thought, and prevented mutism. The Mixed System introduced confusion. Those taught by signs, thought in signs; those taught by words, thought in words. Translation from signs to words only bred confusion; signs inverting language, as so graphically shown yesterday by Dr. Peet.

M. L'Abbé Bouchet, Anmonier des Dourds-Muets de la Chartreuse d'Auray, would use speech in school, but thought there were some words which must be explained in signs.

Don Vittore Brambilla (Milan) said that after the eloquent address of the President, he would withdraw the remainder of his paper.

Frere Hubert, Inspector of the Schools for the Deaf-Mutes of S. Gabriel at S.Laurent sur Sévre, remarked that having taught the deaf very many years on the sign systems, and having heard that the Italians instructed without the use of signs, he came, saw, and was completely converted to the Pure Oral Method, and hoped that the method will be adopted by the whole world.

The President then invited any opponent of the Pure Oral Method to speak.

Whereupon the Abbé Bourse (Soissons) observed that the last speaker's conversion had simplified his own opinion. He, too, should leave the Congress with convictions of the superiority of the Pure Oral Method not to be shaken.

M. L'Abbé Couvert, Almoner of the Institution for Deaf-Mutes at Bourg, said that he was a new partisan of the Oral system, but did not think it applicable to deaf-mutes of inferior intellectual power.

Dr. Peet (New York, USA) then read a paper defending the sign system. He said that signs were more simple than labial articulation s, and more easily understood. He had, however, seen wonderful results of the Oral Method in Milan, and would endeavour so to arrange the proposed new buildings at New York, that he might apply the articulation method in a greater degree than at present.

The President, in reply to a question, said if children come to them of very limited intelligence they do admit then; if totally idiotic they do not, it would be useless. They have a special programme for the less intelligent children, and great results were obtained with them. He concluded by inviting members to come and see this special class, for themselves.

It was then determined to end the discussion . Several forms of a resolution were presented to the Congress - whereupon an adjournment of ten minutes took place, to settle the form, and on resumption of the sitting, those proposed by M. Franck (Paris) and Signor Fornari (Milan) were submitted.

Resolution 2

Considering that the simultaneous use of speech and signs has the disadvantage of injuring speech, lip-reading and precision of ideas,

Declares -

That the Pure Oral method ought to be preferred.

Finally, that of M. Franck was passed by a majority of about 150 to 16.

The meeting adjourned at 1.30pm, with the following day at 8am.

Signor Fornari was careful to explain on the following day that the voting of himself and others took place under a misapprehension. He said his only objection was on a point of form: in spirit he was heart and soul with the majority.

The Milan Schools Demonstrations.
Next – Friday 10th Proceedings.

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