Gaillard in Deaf America: A Portrait of the Deaf Community 1917

ALBANY On Advances Made by Deaf Americans

H ALBANY On Advances Made by Deaf Americans Visit to the High Commissioner of Education Mr. Bailey took us to the Department of Public Education. There was a huge gallery running along the string of offices. Portable bulletin boards were set up at intervals, providing information and statistics on education in the state. Naturally, this prompted us to think of requesting information on the schools for the deaf. Mr. Bailey informed the office of the general secretary . A lady received us in respectful, friendly fashion. She referred us to another office where an employee took from various boxes a collection of reports and brochures on the eight institutions for the deaf that are under state supervision. We have spoken of these above. Mr. Bailey returned to the general secretariat. He conversed with the distinguished-looking official in writing. The latter took up the telephone and our guide looked at us with an enigmatic smile. It was clear that he was setting something up. The lady listened and then made a gesture to wait. She took Mr. Bailey’s notepad and asked him some questions about us. Suddenly, the 92 phone rang, then the door opened and a young clerk came in. Mr. Bailey made a happy gesture and we all rose and bowed. We followed the young woman to the end of the corridor where she opened a door and were found ourselves in the presence of the high commissioner for education for the State of New York. The room was huge, high-ceilinged and imposing; the furnishings were tasteful. But we did not have time to examine the paintings. The high commissioner came hurrying up from a corner cabinet. He put out his hands in a friendly way, had us be seated, and took a notepad in order to wish us welcome. But his face reminded me of something. It seemed that I had seen him somewhere before. Yes! It was on the steamship that brought us to America. The commissioner was among the first-class passengers , along with Dr. Carrel, and I believe that he had seen us in discussion. He had just come back from France. The eve of our departure from Bordeaux, I had in fact read in the Petite Gironde an article that gave an account of the enthusiastic welcome given at the University of Bordeaux to the Hon. John Huston Finley. It was he. We had no suspicion that he would be running the risk of submarines with us. And we could never have imagined that we would have the honor of being received by him, in whose jurisdiction the schools for the deaf lay. Mr. John Huston Finley said that he had indeed seen us on the steamer. He gave us an account of his stay in France, his visits to all our universities, the high esteem in which he held French courage, the intellectual vigor of our professors and students . He admired the fact that almost all of them had made the sacrifice of their courage and youth for their country. Then he had us come into his office, and showed us the rich harvest of notes, books, brochures, and reports that he had accumulated on his journey. He did not want to be outdone by us, humble non-experts as we were. He made me a present of a bound book that gave an account of the memorable sessions during which he was invested as president of the University of New York. A photograph with strong lighting that resembled an ON ADVANCES MADE BY DEAF AMERICANS 93 engraving reproduced his energetic features, his studious and observant eye, and his friendly smile. As a dedication he wrote in: “In appreciation of the visit paid me by the honorable French delegation, John H. Finley, July 16, two days after July 14, 1917.” Was not the homage rendered France via our humble representation deeply moving? The elegant volume contained, among its many addresses, one from our ambassador, M. Jusserand. He was eager to convey the best wishes of France to Dr. Finley who was also a Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur. And M. Jusserand recalled that “in the cornerstone of many of the chief monuments of this country, a French amulet was placed and proved a good omen.” Thus the State University of New York had been founded by two famous Americans, Alexander Hamilton and James Duane, in concert with a...