New-York daily tribune., 1858-09-18
THE EDUCATIONAL CONTENTION.

Correspondence Of The n. Y Tribune.
ELMRA, SEPT. Il, 1853.
The functional Convention, assembled yesterday at
2p. m in Ely's Hail. and called Ia order by the
Hon. H. ii. Vas DYcE, Superintendent of Pubic In
structon, the President.
There were 3S District Commissioners and City Su-
perinendents tout Of $40 in the State present at the
first roll-cal and hali-dozen announced them
selves since. Mr. Sweeting of Wayne the Secretary
read the minutes Of the Convention held st Cortland
vile last year after which, motion Of the Hon. :. :.
R.SDALL Of New-York, the various members of the
Convention were called by the President to set
forth the results of their experience in relation o the
Schools under their The statements were nearly
alike and the general state of the schools, although
slightly improving under the present system, was
shown TO be not very aattering There many good
school-houses and teachers, but III most districts the
majority of the schoo-houses bad and many miser
able old shells. The want Of qualification among
teachers is another evil universally complained Of and
is only equaed by the supineness and Indifference OF
parents and people majority Of eases, in regard {"
their schools.
Ii was more than hin,ed that the people generally in
the rural districts pay much more attention TO their
cattle pigs and chickens than they do to their children
in school. Mr.. j. w Bulkey and others questioned
various speakers and many facts Illustrating the meth
ods pursued by commissioners in dealing with the va
rous difficulties sci forth in their relations Of eperence.
This order Of business consumed all the first day and
the whole Of yesterday, and the rst half OF to-day,
ard WAS as monotonous could have been desired,
The Commissioners present seemed TO be men of intel
igence but the fact very apparent that there il
no concert of action no system organization EN-
bracing the various districts throughout the State.
Last evening. Mr.. Randall delivered brilliantly
written Address, which commanded the marked atten
ton of numerous audience, chiefly composed Of the
ladies of Elmrs who also, several Of them, pres
eht during the afternoon.
MR.. RASDALLs ADDRESS.
Mr. RANDALL adverted 10 the numerous deficiencies
which in his Judgment, existed in systems of
public ius;ructon-the absence OF any connecting
link between institutions of the lower and higher
grades-the want of practical instruction and eff
cheney, and of a complete and comprehensive course
Of study. He insisted upon the obligation as well as
interest of the State thoroughly 10 educate all is
future citizens in such manner and To such an eS
tent as to enable each individual to render himself
useful socially, morally and politically; and urged
that this could be accomplished only by systematic
organization and .grada;ion Of our public schools,
colleges and academies, acting in concert with each
other, and under some enlightened common jurisdic-
tion provided and sanctioned by the State. The
course of instruction rendered nperativey
by the advanced and rapidly advancing civilization
OF the age was, in his Judgment, essentially different
broader expansive and comprehensive than that
heretofore required and now too generally prevalent;
and while the more otstruse branches, and what IL
usually termed classical education should not be negec
ted special attention should be given 10 those
practical branches which the exgences OF the times
and the progress Of modern science demand. Special
interest should be bestowed upon the district prm-
sry ard elementary schools, where the foundations
of education laid; and here the instruc-
tion should be thorough, accurate and inductivc.
The power of selt-cuture should be early bestowed
and the pupil taught Ia rely upon his
as great an extent possiblepositive instruction
be communicated only where the immature faculties
of the young learner inadequate 10 the task OF
reaching by q strictly uductive process the results
aimed at The perceptiye and reasoning powers
should be carefully and Systematically cultivated in
such manner rs to enable the pupil to attain accu.
rate and correct conclusions all these subjects OF
nubc and private social and individual interest which
The yarying exgencies Of life may present and the
moral and religious faculties disciplined and trained
A. 10 secure the hights; and best results Great al
yapcemeu ut had undoubtedly been made in the prsc-
tics workings of system OF public instruction dur
inc the last half century; but much, very much still
remains 10 be done. Ample provision should b. made
for the complete education oi every child, however
humble or destitute, vicious lmbecie; and every
nar,nt should be required 10 avail himself OF these
privileges to the utmost practicable extent for the
benefit Of his children not otherwise provided Tor.
Mr.. Randal's sddrees occupied upward Of al hour.
and was listened ,o by very large audeDc. OF Iadr.
and gentlemen Our limits restrict ur to very hre.
and iup.rfec, sketch of it lesdng outlines. Al is
e,oss q vote of thanks was moved and unanimously