The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-08-08
The Wisconsin Teachers Association,


Association and the citizens of Lacrosse took
great pains TO make the occasion pleasant
one.
Inc session was opened on Tuesday evening
by an address from Rev. Hugh Miller Thomp
son, President of the Nashota Theological
Seminary. The address was most eloquent
and appropriate, enforcing the Importance of
culture that should develop true manliness
of character. Soon enough would the boy be
turned aside into the cramping pursuit of q
speciality. This was not the proper work of
the school, but to make him true, earnest,
honorable, to give an acquaintance with the
glorious achievements of the past, broad,
general culture, healthy body and a cheer
full heart, in short, to make him mar.
On Wednesday morning Mr. Thompson, of
the Citizens Committee, welcomed the mem.
oers Of the Association to Lacrosse in a brief
and appropriate address. The President of
the Association, o. NJ. Baker, replied. thank
ing the people of Lacrosse for their hospital
ty and Kindness. He then proceeded to the
delivery OF the annual address, urging upon
the teachers the Importance of the occasion
lie then spoke OF the benefits arising from the
County SUPPLEMENTARY, attributing their
failure to do more than they did in great part
to the fact that their average salary is but
S536 per annum. The subjects of ventilation
OF school houses, compulsory education, nor.
nal schools, the metric system, and the i'm
portance ofthe teachers work, were discussed
in the address.
At IL a. m. a paper on Natural History was
read by E. 7. Hobart, of Beloit. The sue
gestions of this paper in regard to teaching
this subject in schools, were warmly seconded
by President Chadbourne, of the State Univer-
sity, in an eloquent and instructive speech.
On Wednesday afternoon o. R. Smith, of
GAINESVILLE, read an excellent paper on prima-
ry schools, showing the Importance of having
the best teachers and appliances for this de-
partment.
Wednesday evening was occupied by an adj
mirable address by Hon. j. L. Pickard, of Chi
cago.
On Thursday morning B. NJ Reynolds, OF
Madison, read a sensible paper on the order
of mathematical studies, and closed by show
ing that too much attention was paid to math.
ematics in most schools, and urging the i'm
portance of the classics.
G. s. Albee, of Kenosha, followed with an
able address on the importance of physical cul.
ture
Hon. Mr.. Dunnell, State Superintendent of
Public Instruction in Minnesota, spoke very
happily of his sympathy with the work of the
Association, and welcomed its members to
Minnesota.
Mr.. Ira Duyall, superintendent of Public
Schools in st. Louis, spoke in regard to the
schools of that city.
Mr. McCarty, Superin tendent of the Public
Schools in Leavenworth, appeared as delegate
to express the hearty good wishes of the Kan
sas State Teachers Association.
The morning exercises were concluded by
the reading, by President W. G. Whitford, OF
Milton, of very carefully compiled history Of
educational progress in the State.
On Thursday afternoon Prof. G. H. Allen OF
the Platville Normal School, made a state
ment of the work that they were doing, and
of his desire for the sympathy and co-opera-
ton of the friends of education in the State.
The great interest of the afternoon was the
address of Hon. j. M. Gregory of the Illinois
Industrial University on history. He said that
it had always been his theory that whenever
a man published book on any subject he
Should forever thereafter hold his peace there
on. But the subject had been assigned him
and he must work in that particular harness.
A study can claim course of instructions for
one or two reasons-either because it secures
discipline, or because it imparts instruction.
If for the latter reason, it cannot be for the
reason that what it teaches is true, but because
its facts are such as to stimulate. The facts of
history do this. He then explained how the
chronological position of historical events is
fixed in the memory by his charts. His rec
ommendation in regard to the study was that
the student neither read through historical
works by course, nor pursue a desultory man
ner of reading, which he called ''vagabondi-
zing in history" Rather study systematical-
ly by subjects, following them up by means
of the best authorities that can be obtained.
The lecture was very suggestive, and, if we
judge by the attention with which it was re-
ceived, will do much to aid the members of
the Association in teaching this important
subject
The Association then proceeded to the cleo
ton of officers, which resulted as follows
President-O R. Smith, of GAINESVILLE; Secre-
tary--Abott, of Milwaukee Treasurer-C Cham
berlain, of Delevan.
THE CONCLUDING EXERCISES.
This evening Rev. S. Pennington, of James
vile, delivered very ably written address on
Education, which was well received by the
crowded audience The music furnished by
the Lacrosse Glee Club added greatly to the
enjoyment of the members of the Association
on this and the previous evenings; and after
the lecture the Association was still further
entertained by German songs, most unsteady
sung by chorus of twenty of the Singers So
ciety, who own the hall occupied for the Teach
ers meetings.
The Committee on Resolutions then offered
the following, which were unanimously
adopted:
Resol0ed, That we acknowledge anew cur
dependence on our Heavenly Father, and ex-
press our devout gratitude to Him for the
preservation of our lives and the opportunities
of usefulness which he has granted us during
the past year.
g. That, as the State Teachers Association,
we congratulate our State University and the
State at large, on the acquisition as Chancel-
lor of the institution at the head of orr educa-
tional affairs, of Prof. P. A. Chadbourne, a
thorough scholar, an able educator, and a man
of large experience in public life.
3. That by the presence of Hon. j. M. Gre
gory. ofIllinois, Hon. j. L. Pickard, of Chica-
o, Hon. Ira F. Duyall, of st. Louis, Hon. Nj.
Il. Dunnell, of Minnesota, Prof. D. II. McCar-
ty, of Levenworth, Kansas, we recognize some
Of the foremost educators of the West, to
whose labors and influence our public schools
are indebted for their prosperity and sue