Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-08-19
CITY AND COUNTY.
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
At the State Lunatc Hospital in Worcester the week
ending August II. 1862.
Thermometers. Find Rain.
Observation-Disclosures
OIass0ehusetts Teachers Association.

The eighteenth annual meeting of the Mas
sachusetts Teachers Association commenced
its sessions in the City Hall yesterday after
noon at half-past two o'clock. Prayer was
offered by Rev. DIR. Hill, and the association
was welcomed to the city on behalf of the
school committee and the teachers of the
city, by Rev. Mr.. Jones, the superintendent.
After the response by the president, John
Kneeland, Esq, of Roxbury, and the delivery
of the usual annual address, the report of the
treasurer was read, from which itappears that
the association is entirely free from debt, and
has fund of some 1881 40, with which to
carry on the Massachusetts, Teacher" for the
remainder of the year.
A committee to nominate officers was chosen,
and then the discussion of the question,
''What is the extent of the teachers authority
over his scholars beyond school hours?"
Hon. Joseph White, Secretary of the Board,
said the more he had thought of the question
the more he had become satisfied that the
best way was to let it alone to the practical
sense and sound Judgment of the teacher and
parent as cases may arise. The real question
lies back Of the formal one, 6 What are the
teachers responsibilities and duties ?" Among
the duties prescribed by statute is that of
teaching good behavior. The teachers duty
in relation to his pupils out Of school, may he
measured by this, as the term comprehends
all that a child is to learn to fit him for his
future duties and responsibilities and for the
great work of life in a civilized society. The
teacher should do all that Christian parent
would do in the same circumstances.
He could not tell exactly where the teach
ers authority begins and that of the parent
ends The authority of each is concurrent
in part. The responsibility of the teacher
should continue till the child comes under the
direction of the parent. The children are to
be under the care of the teacher in the streets
just so far as the good of the school requires.
Several cases were cited to illustrate the extent
of the teachers duty. He did not believe the
teachers authority ended at the close of the
six hours. The whole matter il within the
power of school committees; and as general
thing, there are no persons who use absolute
power with more discretion than the school
committees of Massachusetts. Mr.. Parish of
Springfield inquired if teacher would have
the right to punish boy for stealing fruit
from neighbours land while on his way from
school. That is an offence punishable by
law.
To that question Mr.. White replied that the
fact of the boys being amenable to the penal
ty of the law did not relieve the teacher from
a concurrent responsibility so far as the of
fence was one affecting the character of the
school Whatever is done out of school by
any pupil which tends to injure the school may
be considered by the teacher The question
was further discussed by Messrs. Boltwood of
Lawrence, Hammond of Groton, Walton of
Lawrence, and Clatiin of Maiden.
Mr.. Greene of Worcester did not believe the
teacher had any moral OF legal right to con-
troll his pupils beyond the premises of the
| school room, though he might do Il sort of
missionary work in promoting the good of
his pupils by reproving them, and even by
keeping them after school for reproof or
| correction. That work, however, was only by
sufIerance. As such he had done it, and
would continue to do it.
| Mr.. Hooker of Springfield said that the
| fixing of the hours of school rested with
committees. The authority to keep scholars
after school rests on the same authority. This
has been so from time immemorial, and is
therefore legal right on the part of the
teacher.
Mr. Bigelow, principal of the birmingham
Normal school thought many difficulties
would be avoided if the law defined precisely
the extent of a teachers authority
The association met at eight o'clock in the
evening, and was addressed for an hour by
MIR. j. X. Lombard of the high school in this
city, on the considerations which lead so
many to choose the profession of the teacher.
Among these are the facts that the work is
pleasant in itself, and pleasant in its accom-
paniments, affords opportunity for self-im-
provement and for usefulness. 1t also pre-
sents long record of worthy names of which
the profession boasts and its conscious results
render it a profession greatly to be desired.
The lecture was very interesting and was APP
plauded heartily.