Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-08-23

Special correspondence of the DsuocsAs.

DEo NhoiNEs, AuuIouo1, mug. -.
DEAR DKxocRAr-On W Wsdnesday morn>
TO- the Association was called to order at
5 clock by President Ingalls,. After ap>
propriatc music and a prayer by Rev. b.
I. Belden, of Mt. Pleasant, the chairman
Of the Executive committee presented .
programme Of exercises which was adopted.
On motion Of W. A. Bemis, Of Davsn-
port, Cushing's Manual was adopted a. par
iamentary guide, and miscellaneous speech
es were limited to three minutes.
On motion OF Prof l.. +. Parker, Mas
p. w. Sudlow was appointed treasurer pro
tenn. Messrs Kemble and Frost were ap.
pointed assistant secretaries.
The discussion Of Normal schools was
then opened BY Prof Piper. He asked for
one normal school, at least, for each con>
gressional district. The schools should
be eminently designed to fit teachers for
the public schools. This need was pres>
sing. and he thought the present favorable
time to go before the legislature for an ap.
preparation for the purpose.
Prof Van Coelen. of lows college, fol
lowed. lie bad been requested 10 speak
With special reference to normal training in
his native country. He said the Prussian
schools were divided into district schools.
parish schools, preparatory schools, and
fiuslly, the seminary, which is the normal
school. Good Recommendations would se>
cure the advancement Of pupils from the
dslric. to the parish schools. The prepsr
atory department is connected with the
seminary Or normal school. In ID were
taught such branches as were generally
proposed to be taught by object lessous-
In the seminary were taught History, Phys>
ical Geography, Natural history, and the
elements of Music also, the clements Of
Natural Sciences, and in fact, of all the scis
ences. The tuition is free for three year,
to all, and the State provides board for the
INDECENT, vino in return pledge their services
as teachers for two or three years. Until
recently lsdes were not deemed worthy Of
being teachers. but the progress of civiliza-
tion ut inter Gsrmdnos, they are now en-
ployed a. primary teachers and public in.
struction 10 to be provided Tor them. Those
whose attsinments are good are allowed to
attend lectures at the university ms prepar>
alton for the duties of teaching. Teaching
is n profession, snd teachers are supported
y the State. Mr.. Van Cosllen thought
that there was need of greater effort TO fit
teachers especially for the profession. -
There could be no profession without spec,
ial training. The normsl department OF
the University should only give the finish>
ing touches to the work done IN district
norm al schools.
Pvof. I. s. Parvin was ia favor Of severa
normal schools in the Stsse,-one in each
Congressional distsics. The present nor
NAL school could not do tuhe Of what
had graduated this year It the State nor
nal school. There should he 1t least one
hundred and fifteen teachers annually grad
uated in the normal school Of the State.
He WAS in favor Of these schools being e.
tablshed and supported by the State, and
that they shonld be under the direct consro
Of the State Superintendent Of Public In
struction.
SevsralloSher gentlemen made able speech
81, on the benefits Of normal school training
ano we're in favor Of legislative action OF
the subject.
On motion of Mr.. Osmond, Of Iowa City
Rev. Mr.. Osman, Of Iowa City. Prof. Won.
Coellin, Of Iowa College, and Mr. Bemis, oi
Davenport, were appointed committee "a
suggest plan for State normal schools.
At the close Of the discussion the Presi-
dent announced ~ committee on Trainina
Schools, w. A Bemis, Miss NJ. A. McGon
egal and Miss P. W. Ludlow; on Sciences
in Schools, Prof. T. s. Parvin. H. w. Par
ker and II. X. Edison on Institutes, A. E.
Roberts, g. A. Graves and Jos. McCarty.
After recess Of fifteen minutes the sub
| jec} ,of normal schools WAS resumed. Mr.
Hammill, OF Davenport, Was opposed to
mixing up private schools with public
schools. The noemal school should be un,
der control Of the State Superintendent
Mr.. NJ. j. Ronald, County Superintendent
Of Louisa County delivered an address OF
County Superinteudsncy.
The report Of the Executive Committss
MAS received and adopted
An invitation being extende !, Prof. Per
kins, from Iowa City, addressed the Asso,
cation as length on the subject Of Music
fclosing with song. Ny chiidbood's homo.
A sssolutio, expressive Of the heartfelt,
sympathy Of the Association for Prof
| Wells, State Superintendent who 10 sesi'
oualy i'll, was unanimously adopted.
oopmittse, consisting Of MeSsrs. Edison
Beldin aud Hubbard, WAS appointed 10 re-
port on the merits Of Commercial Colleges
after which The Association adjourned.
In the afternoon at two o'clock the Asso
cianon reassembled and Mr.. Piper. the Stat
agent presented bis annual report, which
was adopted.
Tue COMMITTEE on Commercial COLLEGE,
Isposted adversely 70 the encous,gsmsnt .
s0e sams, and after : lively diecuesion IL
fsRoss was adopted.
PssG Oenh - 0oaaeelieuA ~ ~,