Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-08
CITY & NEWS ITEMS
MONDAY MORNING, NOV. 5, Is5s.

PORTAGE COUNTY TEACHERS INsr1rUTE.-We
have had the pleasure of spending two or three
days at Hiram, with the Teachers of Old Portage.
They have assembled there in goodly numbers, and
manifest interest and spirit of Improvement that
are praiseworthy. The Hon o. P. Brown, of Ra-
VIENNA presides, assisted by efficient corps of of.
/ fcers The Institute opened on Tuesday, and will
continue one week. Our first visit was on Wednes-
day evening, at which time we found the large cha
pei ofthe Eclectic Institute crowded Aswe went
in, discussion was occurring between young gen.
temen, members Of the Institute, on the question,
Should parents be required by law to educate their
children at the Public schools or elsewhere. The
audience manifested their appreciation of the dis
putants 10 cheering manner. So much interest
was elected, that the same subject was taken up
for the following evenings discussion. The Presi-
dent, Hon. o. P. Brown was called upon and gave
| short address on the subject under discussion
The members commenced at an early hour to re-
ceive practical lessons in p2nnmanship from the
Father of writers, P. R. Spencer, Esq. At l-2
o'clock, the Institute was called to order by the
chairman, and prayer was offered by Mr. H. W
Everest of Hiram. large and efficient class of
instructors are present, consisting of Messrs. A
A Smith, OF Summit Co.; P R. Spencer, of Ashta-
bula; W. NJ. Scribner, of Boston, Mass. ]. A Gar
field, of Hiram H. W. Everest, of Hiram; H. S
Chamberlain, of Solon; W. P. Edgarton and E. P
IngersOll, of Cleveland
The instructors were practical and wide awake
The exercises were varied by the introduction of
music, which was frequently discoursed by the
Hiram Glee Club who are excellent singers, and
ought to travel The exercises were further varied
by declamatiOns from the members Of the Hiram
Institute. In the evening the question of the PIE
vious evening was discussed by Hon. o. P Brown,
aud J. H. Wilhelm, on the Aft, and ]. A Gar.
field and II. w. Everest, on the Neg. The parry
ing and thrustng of the opponents were skillful
and well aimed; but the general sentiment from the
beginning was in favor the of affirmative. The dis
cussOn was followed by an address from Prof Gar
field, on the qualifications that the teacher should
possess. The address was extempore, but finished
and full of thought. After the adjournment the
members ofthe Institute retired to the social
and spent an hour in recreation. As we came away,
the great thought prominent in our mind was
They know how to bring up girls in Portage |
County"
The exercises of Friday were much the same as
Thursday, but increased in interest. Practical
questions were put by the chairman, to the teach
ers, which impressed upon their minds the nects-
sity system in all the exercises of school, In the
evening the following topics were discussed for an
hour or more
School Prizes, by Mr.. ], NJ Atwater
General exercises, by Mr.. E. P Ingersol
Reporting System, by Mr. VIM. H Smith.
Literary exercises, by Mr.. A. J. Spencer.
The Gee Club, by request, repeated song ofthe
previous evening, entitled :" Oh there's music,
&c" The Hon. John Crowell, of Cleveland, was
then introduced and delivered lecture full of liz
struction and encouragement TO the teachers |
Prof Edgarton then recited Poes Raven, and the |
humorous rpiece, MY Sunday Breeches" The |
Convention then adjourned il high glee to the So |
eial Rooms and spent an hour as young folks will, |
in games, and plays, envened by the presence of
bewitching tulips.
The Institute exercises will close o-morrow A |
good time has been had.
ACKNoWLEDGMENT-Th Ladies of ST Paulis |