The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-02
The National school Cow ention In Phila-
deiPhia.
ffrom the Philsd I'll phin Ledger, AuR -

INC NsuohAA ScnOoA SOnVcntson - EAus
from the Philadelphia Ledger, Aug 80
TWAS determined that the order OF business shall
be the statement by the delegates Of the condition
of the common schools in the various States.
Thomas Allen Clarke, Of Louisiana, made a
statement of the condition of common schools in
that State. The system of common schools has
been lately erected Under the old method, seve:
raj colleges were founded, which have received
nearly half a million of dollars in donations from
The State. These institutions have failed only
one college now is in existence-the Metho list
College at Jackson. In 1871, the citizens of the
Second Municipality of New Orleans commenced
a movement which has led TO great improvements
Now there are public schools In each municipality,
supported IT public expense, TO which children are
admitted free. The number Of schools and scholars
has greatly increased In 1871 there were only
seventy. five scholars in the Second Municipr lily Of
New Orleans; now there are three thousand,
and fifteen hundred n the First Municipality, be-
sides large number Of pupils in the Third NUM-
cipality. The University in New Orleans is in
hourishing condition. The public school system
has been adopted throughout the State, though
not extremely successful. The system is managed
in lis general details by a superintendent of conf
mon schools.
@. f. Thayer, of Boston, gave sketch of the
American Institute Of Instruction. 1t was not a
Massachusetts association alone, but general one.
II was founded twenty.on years ago, by delegates
from sixteen States. II meets annually, and dlsse-
inmates information by means OF lectures, adj
dresses, debates, nc, which are published in
twenty volumes Of the Transactions of the Insni-
tute.
Mr. Green, of Massachusetts, one of the assist.
ants OF the secretary of the Board of Education,
gave sketch of the dates of the assistants
They visit first the children, and endeavor to ope-
tate upon their minds, to become friendly with
them, and encourage them. They go as friends of
education, as friends of the teacher, TO aid and
counsel him in his work. Meetings of teachers
are called by these officers; are held for two
or three days. The object is to give useful hints
fhof h. aat
of teaching, and to smooth their labors. Another
duty of the assistants is to call meetings of the
people; to counsel with them, and discuss the SUBJ
ject of education, its means and modes. Efforts
have also been made TO grade the schools into pri
mary, intermediate, and high schools Difficulties
are in the way, in consequence Of the plan of Sc
parating school distrcts-a system which is over
come in some instances, and which is gradually
yielding The parents furnish the school books to
the children, except where poverty prevents, when
they are found at the expense of the town.
Samuel Newbury, of Michigan, said that they
had now established in hat State "union Schools"
in which there were four departments, ranging
from primary education to that suitable for young
men about 10 enter college-a State normal school
has been projected, and will be in operation in
about year. The State University is now in a
healthy state. Although the school system has
fair prospects, there are about fifty thousand chill
dren in the State who do not attend any schools.
Though this is large number, Michigan is in
much better condition in this respect than most of
Dr. Cutter, formerly of New Hampshire, said
that in that State all the schools free; managed
by committees as in Massachusetts,, and supported
by taxation. In 1910, the proportion of persons
who could not read and write, was one to one
thousand. The general system is managed by
county superintendent. There are county insti-
tutes Of teachers, holding two sessions yearly.
The institutes are attended by board of instruc-
ton. The cause Of education in New Hampshire
is onward. and they find it necessary to increase
the value OF the staple they export to other States,
namely, the men and women they raise and send
out
Governor Haines, of New Jersey, detailed the
school ~ stem in that State There are education
al institutes and societies in several Of the coun-
ties. They attract considerable interest. Appro-
pratops are made by the towns for the support of
schools. There are no free schools Though the
State, though several towns and dis riots have Pc
ttioned the Legislature several times for permission
To raise taxes for the support of free schools.
yohh h 1Lsdom h;, 81 New Jersey, sad there are
hngon city. In the outer districts of the county,
affairs are managed effectively schools are kept
up only while the public appropriation lasts. The
people will not tax themselves to support the
schools.
J. w. Buckley, of Albany, N. Y, said that in the
State Of New York, in the country portions, free
schools had not been universally established,
though the subject greatly agitated. In the
school districts, school Libraries have been esiab-
lished in eleven thousand districts. There ha:
been difficulty about the books suitable for the
children. Publis hers have published books, il il
true, under the title Of school libraries" but they
have been as If it were cast off cothes-old book,
entirely unsuitable for juvenile hands, which have
been Ttvamped. II is believed that proper books
for school libraries have yet TO be written. Teach
ers' institutes held in various counties, but the
menns OF support are so restricted as 10 be nearly
useless.
Joseph Mexican, of New York, stated that in the
country, free schools have been kept open from
ven 10 nine months in The year. In the cities they
open the entire year, with the exception Of the
usual vacations. He detailed particulars in reia-
ton TO the free schools ia the city OF New York.
During the evening session several other inter
esting statements were made in relation 10 the ge-
neral subject OF education. The convention meets
again this morning.
SECOND DAY.
The order Of the day being the articles Of asso-
citation creating the Convention "The American
Association for the Advancement Of Education, "
the report Of the committee on that subject was
taken up. Bishop Potter, the chairman OF the com
mttee, explained the general design of the society
The constitution was then taken up, and discuss.
ed by sections by many members, and finally agreed
upon.
The archives are to be kept 10 Philadelphia.
General meetings are 10 be held on three even
iDes during the annual eession Of the association,
TO discuss subjects, and hear reports and communi-
cations.
Al one OF these general meetings, reports in brie
are 70 he made by theschsirmen Of the several
tions, Of the proceedings therein.
"h's hhAsbhl1s VI H. rlftihi ltNhtsls save
account Of the proposed rganization Of Brown
University, X. I. He said that IN most colleges the
course has lasted for four years II often followed
that the degrees were honors acquired by time and
not by attainmenis. An objection TO the course Of
studies has generally been that they separated the
literary from scientific institutions, and from the
sympa HES Of the people, by waat Of connection
with the common schools. IL Is proposed as a re-
medy, by Brown University, TO make the basis
broader, TO appoint greater number Of Professors,
and bring the advantages Of science and literature
before the pupils. Another Improvement which Is
proposed IL, that the students shall not be allowed
TO study 10 greater extent than their capacities
will allow, thus in some cases extending the time
OF study according 10 individual ability. An ohiec
ton sometimes made, that science and classical H.
terature cannot be interminged without injury has
already been answered by the experiments made In
the course Of instruction IN many collegiate insti-
buttons.
The object IL not to lower the standard Of CLASH
cal Learning, but 10 make II higher than ever. The
students will not all wish to prosecute the classical
studies but those who do viii find the course tho
rough. The four years coarse is 10 be done away
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