The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-11-26

AUHUbIA, NOV. 20, 1000.
To the Editor Of the Press:
The Association reassembled at o'clock
yesterday morning. and in the absence of the
President, Nelson Dingley Jr., of Lewiston
was chosen President pro tenn.
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Bingham, of this city.
The constitution was so amended as to ad-
init gentlemen on the payment of $i.00, and
ladies signing on the constitution-also to in
crease the Executive Committee to nine per-
sons.
@. B. Stetson Esq. of Lewiston, then read
an essay on Reading, which was received with
much interest
This gave rise to discussion which was
commenced by Mr. Dyke, of Bath, who ex-
pressed his satisfaction at the essay, and hoped
to see it in print. He was followed by Messrs
Rounds of Pennington, Hanson of Watervii;e
Gross of Bath, Ballard of Brunswick and 9th
ers, in appropriate remarks
Mr.. Gilman Tucker of Boston, then deliver
ed an address on the subject of Geography"
He regarded it as one of the most valuable ard
attractive of studies. BY it we can travel in
the most remote part of the world, and
yet sit quietly by our fire sides. The
method of instruction now used, which
is considered simply with view to obtain an
accumulation of facts, is what has brought it
into disrepute. 1t should be taught as sci
ence. Most of the Geographys reverse the
natural order, which is, first, the perceptive
faculties, second, the conceptive or retentive
faculties, third the analytical, fourth the rea-
soning faculties. He illustrated this by read
ing several definitions in some of the prima-
ry works which it was impossible for youthful
minds 10 comprehend No child should be
taught it first as a science, but simply prepar.
ed for it. EThe more teachers dispense with
the book the better.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr.. Stone the new President in the chair
The discussion on Writing" was then opened
by A. Ell. Bowler of Boston. He thought one
half hour every day should be devoted to
writing, and that the scholars should have
printed copies and follow the same system
from year to year. He illustrated his method
of teaching from charts.
Mr.. Stone of Portland, then opened dis
cussion on History in our common schools
He would have children commence it as soon
as they are old enough to read stories. The
field must not be too wide and it should never
be memorized. 1t is not the words, but the
ideas they want. Taxing the memory is inju.
rious. Sometimes simple paragraph should
occupy several lessons, at others, perhaps ten
pages might be taken at once.
Then followed a short discussion on "School
DISCIPLINE best to secure the attention
of pupils Mr.. Sherman of Winthrop, spoke
of the Importance of gaining the attention of
the pupils at the opening OF the school and at
the opening of each recitation.
THE EVENING SESSION
Opened with discussion on our Common
School System, by Warren johnson, State SUI
perintendeut. He commenced by saying he
would state few facts and figures respecting
the working of the system, which he had re-
ceived in answer to the 81 Undergraduates to
the town committees.
The whole number of scholars between the
ages of and q in 1868 was 225, 200, in 1858
41 1888; average attendance in 1868, 81 100; in
1858, 122, 430.
Average length OF schools in 1867, Is weeks
and day; in 1857, 10 weeks and days.
Number of school houses built last year, SO
at cost of $333.O0O; IN 1858, 134, at cost O.
$4,000. OF this S333,OOO Portland and Lewis
ton expended about $500 OO-Portland be.
cause of the necessity produced by the fire, and
Lewiston because of the necessity produced by
growth. And when money is expended from
necessity it does not indicate interest
The whole amount expended for schools last
year was 81 1872, 49S, ten years ago about one
Il. -, flaf OH hot fol-
up this additional amount
From the census of scholars as taken by the
proper officers in the several towns and plan
tations, it appears that there is the alarming
decrease of 1868 from the census of 1858
This cannot be because our population is de-
creasing or from want of proper canvass fol-
the 400 towns all show the same result. The
remedy for this he would state in five points
briefly:
First, to abolish the school districts-a school
agent is nuisance. He generally has cous-
in or brother or some friend whom he thinks
1T would be convenient to engage as teacher,
and that person is sure to present himself at
late hour for examination, especially if he is
not very well qualified, and then the question
nc 10 quahhcuj put WueLuer
'neS snaii nave teacher or go without The
80. y. the agent is to get person as cheap
u.s. possible and OF the committee to get as good
one as possible. Cheapness and poodnass do
not go together. e'e''
second better instruction and batter,.oso,-
erS' 1rue' we have Normal schools bnt tbov
90 not iurn'sh enough. We should have MR.
He thought this would cost $1,000. -''i C.
Third, there should be county supervisors
and so establish some intermediate aeenou ~
tween the State and the town. These wonIa
form sort of advising board for the Who'll
State. This would cost about $4,000, making
in all s21 900.
Fourth, how shall this money he raisedf
He thought it could be saved in one item
alone-by the abolition of such a variety Of
text books as now exist. They would save fif
ty per cent or at least twenty-five per cent.