The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-09-01
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From the Dubuque Hsrald.l
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IL rOm bRc 0uuuYAc Jusxel0.j
CrpAK RArrns, Tuesday Eve, Aug. 81.
The Iowa State Teachers Association con
vened in this city this evening at y o'clock
Every hotd rad prirsteI residenp IN the
city is crowded to accommodate the delegates
from all parts of the State. no xagzs1 :
The chairman Of the executive committee
called the association to order, and intro
duced Prof L. IF. Pafket, Of GrnneH, Pres
ident of the association, who then delivered
his inaugural address.
After giving brief history of the Associa
ton. which was organized ten years ago, he
proceeded to state the object of the meetings
and to consider the educational wants Of the
west. The address had many pthy remarks
and pointed illustrations, aud exhibited an
extensive knowledge of both ancient and
modern literature. A large and appreclatire
audience was in attendance.
WEDNESDAY, August %.
After devotional exercises, appointment OF
committees, &c, the President introduced
James Adair, Esq, of La Sale, Ill. This
alphabet or an alphabet With distinct charac-
tiers to represent every sound in the language
In very familiar and interesting talk he pro
ceeded TO show that much Of the difficulty in
learning to spell and read by our present al
phabet would be obviated by the introduction
Of photographic one. Were we about to
adopt an alphabet de moro, Mr.. Adair would
probably have all of the argument on his side.
In these days of Atlantic teiegraphs and other
wonders, it is dangerous to say what msy)not
be achieved. Bnt we venture to predict that
Mr.. Adair's children will betaught but TWEEN.
tyssix letters in the English alphabet.
Next in order vase discussion, "What is
the object of Teachers Institutes, aud how
can they be rendered most useful. Speakers
Profs. J. Piper of Eddyvill, VIM. Brooks, of
Tabor. d. h, Wells, Of Iowa City, and oters
In substance they agreed that the true OBJ
ject of Institutes is to present to teachers the
best method Of instruction, and to arouse
them to attain higher standard of quali6-
cation for their noble and responsible work.
An institute should not be mistaken for
school,
The afternoon session opened with an sd
dress from Hon. &. }. Tisdae of Chckasaw
county. Subject-"The science of govern
ment as branch of study in our common
schools This important study has been
almost wholly neglected in our common
schools. A boy who. at twelve years, is mas
ter of arithmetic and geography, and is able
to commence the study of Latin and Greek,
is at twenty unable to tell how his own town
ship is organized, or to define the duties Of
either sub director or constable. For the
stability of our Government, the minds OF
our youth should be imbued with the spirit Of
its laws.
Though quite young man, Mr.. Tisdale is
sound thinker and practical worker.
The address was followed BY an essay from
Miss Mary o. Dennis, of Iowa City. Subject
THE symitrical cultivation of man physi
cal. intellectual and moral powers.' This
essay was iGii oi HISTORICAL research and excel
lent thought, AID was read very deliberately.
I.4d dr,af ,ta ha tau
we're then considered. The most important
suggested were-the establishment of Nor
NAL schools, which was discussed in Des
MONIES last winter and the appropriation of
me sch"". '..oney among .ne inherent couu-
ties and township districts in proportion to
the average attendance of pupils, and not In
rropcrtitu 10 tie snoie number OF children.
! The Association met at q O'Clock p. m.
and listened TO Hon. J a. kassoa, member
Of Congress from the Fifth District. He ex
planned the system of weights and measures
enacted by Congress al its last session. which
reduces all denominations TO tenths- He !
-...,~'. ma. lnis system will be of inculabie
advantage TO the country In all its business |
transactions. Mr.. kasson was chairman of |
the committee that reported this Lill 10 Con- |
gress, ard vas probably most able to explain |
It's provisions to the teachers Of Iowa. As a |
musical voice and fluent delivery.
The teachers of this State will probably be |
among the first in the country to introduce /
the metrieal system of weights and meas
ures,
August %, 1866.
The Teaches Association resumed its bus
siness this morning Of 3 clock.
After the usual opening exercise, a motion
prevailed 10 abandon the well arranged pro-
gramme, which had been devised by the ex-
ecutiye committee, and to enter upon gems
eral discussion in regard TO institutes, the /
State Agency and personal explanations. /
This abandonment OF the regular proceed /
Tugs we regarded AZ the great mistake Of the |
Association. 1t gave the floor Of this digni- I
fed and honorable body to those individuals /
who had speech making on the brain, who /
must be hard in order to inform the Associ. +
alton they we're somebodiss. The discussion,
therefore, descended from glittering generalI, I
ties to Improbable personalities About the
only points worthy of note that were reached /
during the forenoon, were incorporated in I
two resolutions, as follows:
Resoirsd, 1st, That the Association reaf /
firm the action of last year in the appoint
ment OF a State Agent, whose business shall
be to conduct Institutes and act as agent for I
the School Journal.
Resoired, ID, Tina, the executive commits
tee be requested 10 secure during the coming .
year, the holding Of at least four Normal In
stitutes, for four or six weeks each. in those
portions Of the State most needing such as
sistance.
The object intended to be secured by carry
ing out the resolution is a good one, but there I
we're doubts in the minds of many as to the I
pgacticabllity of the proposed plan.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Il
the morning were very happily succeeded BY /
an address from Prof ]. S. Fargo, Of Blooms
ington, Ill. Sabject-Musical sympathy and
Harmony. In a very pleasing manner be sets
forth some interesting, but unexplained facts |
connected with this subject, which we will not
attempt to repeat. !
Having taken his seat the Association again t
plunged into an irregular and Improbable |
discussion of resolutions upon the state ofthe
country, &c.
The following officers were then elected for |
the ensuing year:
President-M, Ingalls,, Museatne.
Vice Presidents-F. s. Parvin, Iowa City;
c. W. Won. Coelln, Grinnell; NJ. W. Bartlett
Cedar Rapids; l.. Davis. Marshalltown; G. /
A. Graves, Cedar Falls.
Secretary, NJ. G. Hamill, Davenport.
Cor. Secretary-Miss A. B. Freeman, Des /
Moines.
lreasurer-W. M. Brooks, abor.
State Agent-D F. Wells, Iowa City.
The evening session opened with discuss
sion of the question, reform Schools, by |
W. A. Bemis, Davenport, and Prof Downs, I
of Rock Island, Ill. This question is worth |
the consideration ofevery citizen. What shall
be done with the youth in our cities and
larger towns growing up in sgnordnce and
crimeF Both gentleman took the ground |
that the State must compel their attendance |
at school where they will be restrained /
from vice and stimulated to virtue.
The President elect was then escorted to the |
chair by committee of ladies amids the |
deafening cheers OF the association. In a |
few remarks he spoke of the able men who
had, before him, occupied that chair.
Resolutions thanking the ex President and
other retiring officers for the cheerful per
formance of their duties, the citizens of Ce- |
dar Rapids for their hospitality, and the vari- |
Gus transportation companies for reduced |