New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-16
rp.CupR,, COnyENTIONs.

Tho school teachers follow the general example
of the academic, scientific and literary people. in
holding Conventions in Midsummer-why in Md
summer unless because then no work Is done or can
be done il would DO hard to tell. We have full re-
ports of two Of these Conventions-that of the New
York State Teachers Association, held at Geneva on
the Ist Of August and that Of the Pennsylvania State
Teachers Association held at Gettysburg at the same
time. Both The assemblies were large, and were in
session during the better part of three days. The
time was not too long il 1t had been devoted en-.
tirely to the very important business that might be
expected to come before such bodies. The gravest
problems in American Education are still awaiting
solution Fundamental questions remain even to
this time unanswered save by theorists. Indeed, the
whole matter Of education in America is but begin
ming TO exercise the ablest minds they think upon
il in connection with the advance OF democratic prin
ciples and practices. From the nature of the case
the persons who will first be looked TO for wise sug
gestions are the teachers who from daily familiarity
with the present system, must be presumed to be
acquainted with its defects to have reflected on the
possible available remedies for the defects, and to
have formed some opinions on the science philosophy
aud art OF the subject that are entitled TO public con-
sideraton. Experience, aided by professional study
and compared with the accumulated experience of a
large body Of men and women should have reached
few definite conclusions in regard for instance to the
wisdom of educating boys and girls together, the
adaptation of the male and female minds to certain
special pursuits, and the expediency nexpediency
of passing both through the same academic course;
the relative importance of classical and OF scientific
instruction in common schools normal schools, high
schools, or academies the place that should be as
signed to the languages, to accomplishments, TO
mathematics to physiology; the true function OF nor
NAL schools, and the best method of administering
them; the proportion which normal schools should
hold to common schools and the circumstances that
modify the systems Of education in the different
States.
None Of these points have been settled or exhaust
lively discussed Every year should bring its contri.
button toward their satisfactory decision and We read
with interest and care the reports presented hoping
TO obtain light on some Of the dark places in our edu
cational condition. We cannot advise our
readers to do the same, for we would, If posi-
bio, make our disappointment a substitute for
theirs No doubt in all those hours formally devoted
to business, in which addresses were read, reports
made, and discussions held by trained men prscticed
were said but of professional earnestness there seems
to have been little or none; of mental cooperation and
sympathy the smallest proportion; of concentrated
purpose absolutely none. The occasion was regarded
as festival; the assembly was gathered for enter
tainment. considerable music was interspersed by
various performers, both amateur and professional
At Geneva the evening hall was packed to sufioca'
ton by the members of the Association, their friends
and the public" the chief attraction being Miss Pot
ter's poetcal reading Prof Watson sung an oper'
attic air. Miss Potter reeited High Tide, Dr. Cruik'
shank read poem by somebody else, and Mrs.
Randall contested palms with Miss Potter. The pro-
ceedings of the third day began with drive about
the country, and the admirably conducted abors OF
the local committee were concluded by trip to the
celebrated Glen at Walking. The teachers reaSsem'
bled at o'clock First business in order, listening
to some choice songs and anthems from the Geneva
select choir After respectable pause during which
DIR. Cruikshank read paper on 1.-The Establish
ment Of an Educational Exchange Prof. Miles
delighted tho Asssciatioa aud tho com9aaY With gu