The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-17

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Secretary, L. Van Bokkelen, Maryland.
PRESENT MEMBERS.
Warren johnson, State Supt. Of Public Instruction.
Maine
S. S, Ashley, State Sup. OF Pub. Instruction, N c.
w. M. CODY, Supt. Of Ed, Freedmen's Bureau
NJ. II. wygant, supt Of First Judicial District
Arkansas.
Thomas Smith, State supt. Pub instruction, ARK.
B. G. Hobbs, State Sup. Pub. instruction, Indiana
W. d. Henkle, State Supt. Public instruction, Ohio
j. p, Wickersham, State Supt Of Public InstruC-
Joseph White, Sec Board OF Education, Mass.
a. d. Phipps, Agent Board Of Education, Mass.
B. G. Northrop, Sec. Board of Education, Conn.
Daniel Read, Sup. Public instruction, Missouri.
~. A. Apgar State Supt., New Jersey
w; r.. White, State stunt, West Virginia.
Albert Marble, Supt., Worcester, Mass.
W. r. Crcery, Supt., Baltimore, Md.
James Cruikshank, Supt., Brooklyn, N. Y.
George B. Sears Snpt., Newark, n. j.
{, Shepherd, Supt., Trenton, n. j.
G. f. Hood, Supt., Lawrence, Mass.
NJ W. Tewksbury, supt., Fail River Mass.
A. AHIrm1sstro!g, A. 1sto;g, Supt., Council Blulis, Mo.
a. Gilmore, Supt., Camden county, n. j.
W. w. Condit, Supt, Franklin, n j.
d. /; k,iehle, Supt, Fillmore county, Minnesota
M. Warren, Supt, StOckbridge, Mass
B. f. Patterson Supt., Pottsyc, Pa.
H. f. Harrington, Supt., New Bedford, Mass
W. E. Crosley, Supt, Lima, Ohio.
e. E. White, of Ohio, and large number of mem
Ders, FORMER SuperlntendentS OF schools, state,
county, and city.
u. richards, Superintendent OF Public Schools,
Washington, ID. c.
The Afternoon Session
was opened with prayer by Rev. DR.. Richardson,
pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of
Trenton. j. w. Bulklcy, New York, President,
and L. Van Bokkelen, Maryland, remained in
office from last session. By permission of the
association several papers not upon the regular
programme were permitted to be presented,
read, and discussed by various superintendcnts.
A paper from Rev. Charles Brooks, of Med
ford, Mass, was read by Professor Hart. The
writer, as aseptuagenarian and asa faithful adyo-
cate of popular education, urged that Congress
should be memorialized to establish a national
system of education.
AS Napoleon III was about to establish svs-
tenn similar to that proposed, he trusted the
United States would awaken to the fact that in
this country one million of children cannot
read write, or cipher, and would devise liberal
plans for the removal of such blemish. His
labors to accomplish this had convinced him
that Congress did not possess the power to
establish national system of education, and he
trusted constitutional amendment would soon
remedy that deficiency.
A memorial from DR.. Edwin Leigh, of st.
several Interruptions occurred on the ground
that the article was not properly in order. He
regretted that large number of the scholars in
the public schools did not remain long enough
to receive the common elements of instruction.
About One-half never reached the studies of the
grammar department, while over one-third only
enjoyed two years attendance, and read no
further than the primer and the first reader.
He commended the subject to the consideration
of the meeting, and trusted that something
would be done in the premises
As neither of the papers presented any practi-
cal features or recommendations, they were
quietly referred to a special committee.
The President addressed the assembly, con-
graduating his co-laborers on the auspiciOus cir
cumstances of their session, and the general
interest apparent in the objects of the associa-
ton. They had met again to contribute to the
common stock of knowledge, to compare notes,
to relate experiences to learn of the educational
wants Of the community, and to devise mea-
sures for supplying them. He commended to
the attention of his associates the present
anomalous position of the Natioual Educational
Bureau, that from its original independence had
sunk to a mere dependency of the Interior De-
partment. 1t was incumbent on them to declare
their confidence therein and aid in its develop
ment or to withhold their sympathy and
support. II speak as to wise men; judge ye!'
DR.. Daniel Read, President of State Univer-
sity Mo-, was glad that this subject had been
brought to the associations attention, and he
trusted the body would not adjourn without
giving an expression of its desire to have a
National Superintendent of Education, vested
with fitting power for the performance of his
invaluable duties. At present, Mr.. Parton had
not official power to demand single statistica
report from State or Superintendent; al
information desirable could only be sought in
the modest form of request. 4 vast amount
of good had already been accomplished il
spreading needed statistical matters before the
teachers of the country; and he desired that the
General Government should beprompted to bet
| ter support that department.
On motion of Andrew j. Kickoff, of Cleveland
| Ohio. the address of the President was referred
| to n special committee to be reported upon.
George +. Sears, of Newark read an essay
upon PRIMARY Education" containing sugges-
| tons well worthy of being acted upon. He be-
lieved that the very best talent should be placed
| nj the source of n child's education, that the
| fountain-head of instruction might be pure and
undehled But the salaries for such positions
were so poor that superintendents could obtain
only inexperienced apprentices or broken-down
hacks. The former could do more good and less
mischief in the higher departments, and would
he the better fitted for little if they had had
several years previous experience in teaching
He would advise that teachers of experience
and of successful experience, too should alone
be entrusted with the nurture of these tender
children. Thus would be secured teachers who
would tell n little child two or three times TO