Institute of the Dumb and Blind.
Leaving the University the President was rapidly driven through a beautiful residence district and entered the grounds of the California Institute of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Before the great edifice stood the teachers: G. B. Goodall, T. D'Estrella, T. Grady, F. O'Donnell, Henry Frank, Douglas Kieth, C. T. Wilkinson, N. F. Whipple, Mary Dutch, Laura Nourse, Elizabeth Moffitt, Rose Sedgwick, Otto Fleissner, and Charles S. Perry. Assembled on the green were more than 200 afflicted little ones. The blind welcomed the President with their sympathetic voices, the dumb looked upon him and smiled, while the deaf waved their little hands with joy. Superintendent Wilkinson in an address warmly thanked the party for their visit.
The President, responding, said:
It gives me great pleasure to stop for a moment at one of these institutions so characteristic of our Christian civilization. In the barbarous ages of the world the afflicted were regarded by superstition unhelpful, or treated with cruel neglect; but in this better day the States are everywhere making magnificent provision for the comfort and education of the blind and deaf and dumb.
Where one avenue to the mind has been closed science is opening another. The eye does the work of the ear, the finger the work of the tongue for the dumb, and touch becomes sight to the blind. I am sure that gladness has come to all these young hearts through the benevolent, careful, and affectionate instruction they are receiving here. I thank you, and wish all of you the utmost happiness through life.
[OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, MAY 2.]
Leaving the Asylum for the Blind the presidential party was driven rapidly to Oakland, passing through the suburban town of Temescal, where a large crowd, including several hundred school children, greeted the distinguished visitors. The President was accompanied by Mayor Melvin Chapman and the following members of the Oakland Reception Committee: Ex-Mayor John R. Glascock, Hon. Geo. E. Whitney, Senator W. E. Dargie, J. G. McCall, A. C. Donnell, T. C. Coogan, John P. Irish, Hon. E. S. Denison, C. D. Pierce, J. W. McClymonds, W. D. English, H. M. Sanborn, M. J. Keller, J. F. Evans, A. W. Bishop, W. W. Foote, Robert McKillican, Charles G. Yale, G. W. McNear, W. R. Thomas, C. B. Evans, and Maj. F. R. O'Brien.
As the presidential carriage turned into Jackson Street at half-past 1 o'clock nearly 10,000 school children welcomed the Chief Magistrate with a fusillade of bouquets. The crowd was so great the President was unable to reach the reviewing stand, where Mr. Wanamaker awaited him. Making the best of the situation, Mayor Chapman arose in the carriage and formally welcomed the President on behalf of the citizens.