The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-07-08
STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
WrANporrE. ks. June 30, $50.

WYANDoTTE, KAs., June 30, 1870.
EDITeRs Ne rs: Perhaps few notes
from this point at this time may not be
uninteresting to your numerous readers.
1t is hot, hotter, hottest; Hottentot,
Hottentotter, Hottentottest-in fact, it's
warm. Wyandotte is built on seven
times as many hills as old Rome, and
that particular portion of it where PROV
idence has cast our lines, is on the river
slope of one of them. There has been
no fain here for some time, and, in con-
sequence, the streets are heaps of dust
and ashes. We have ceased to consult
Thermometers. Paper collars are at q
discount-palm-leaf fans, ice water and
umbrellas at premium. Like Sydney
Smith, we long to take off our flesh
and sit in our bones. We trust we do
not lack professional enthusiasm, but,
like Bob Acres courage, tits oozing out
at our finger ends. We begin to fear
that the wealth of our affections don't
flow out towards educational conven-
tions, especially at this season. 'What
so rare as day in June?' sang poet
who did not live in Wyandotte.
Denning's Hall is the center of inter-
est just now, for there do congregate
the teachers of Kansas in convention
assembled. Will you enter with us?
The first man you encounter is Prof.
Chambers, too well known to need an
| introduction, who smiles benignly at
you, over the stair railing, and reaches
out his hand for friendly salutation.
Prof. Bannister, of Paola, presides with
dignity,-and palm-leaf fan. AT his
right sits the Secretary, Sup't Bradford,
of Atchison. Here is the genial, good
natured face of our excellent State Su-
perintendent, sublimely Indifferent to
all sublunary vexations, and then the
smiling countenance of our bachelor
| friend, Prof. FL. ID. McCarty, of Leav-
enworth, his probable successor, in a
state of Homogeneous semi-lignefaction,
earnestly importuning the honorable
body to instruct the powers that be to
| fix the time of our next session in the
winter, for physical reasons, not neces-
sary to explain. Time would fail us to
tell of all who are in attendance. The
principal educational centers are well
represented. From Manhattan we see
President Dennison, and Profs. Nudge
and Plat, of the Agricultural College.
Hon. 1. T. Goodnow represents June
ton City. President Frazer and Profs.
Robinson and Snow, of the State Uni
versity. Prof Banfield, of Topeka.
Leavenwor sends large delegation.
Supt. Williams, Profs. Donovan, Nc
Carly and Dilworth, speaking good
words for Leavenworth and her pro-
spective Normal School, and Putnam,
enjoying to the fullest extent the two
remaining days of his official existence
You know all the book agents die OIL
the first of July? Our own institution
is represented by two of the faculty
and three students, Miss Upton, of Bur
lington, and Messrs. March and Shively
of Paola. From abroad we notice Prof
o. NJ. Fethers, of Missouri, editor Of
the WeSteT7G Educational ReCietc, and 8
fine elocutionist; also, 0. II. Baker, the
ubiquitous and smiling book agent
from ST. Louis.
What are we doing? The association
organized on Tuesday evening, appoint
ed officers, and named committees. Or
Wednesday morning, when we arrived
the machinery was in motion. II. D
McCarty, of Leavenworth, read a very
able paper on the Advantages ant
Disadvantages of the Graded System.
Prof. Gnow, of the State University, al
essay, entitled, 'EAn Error, and it!
Remedy" showing by facts and figures
the small number of students in the
schools of our land who study TIT
natural sciences, as compared with thu
number who study geography ant
arithmetic. The thinking done wa
confined to a channel altogether too
narrow and abstract. AS a remedy tn
f essayist earnestly recommended the in
| PRODUCTION of the study of the natura
sciences in our schools, especially tn
study of Botany. The eye is the avenu
, that is widest open into the mind. Il
this department of natural science NJ
apparatus or appliances are necessary
; save those which nature has Furnished
, in such profusion. The child is inquisi
tive. His natural tendencies lead hin
to the investigation of nature in all he
forms, and this branch of science
, peculiarly adapted to his wants. Afte
: some discussion upon the subject matte
of the essay, a resolution was offered b.
Prof. Platt, requiring the teachers Q
Kansas to be able to pass examination
in this branch of study. The resolution
was referred to the proper committee.
Prof. r. B. Dilworth gave an address
on the subject of teaching Physica
Geography, showing the erroneou
, ideas taught by many, and the true viey
t of the subject. Supt. McVica
opened for discussion the question O
the benefits of Normal Institutes, whic
discussion was earnestly carried on b
|, the members generally. All wer
agreed in regard to their efficiency an
/ necessity, and it was resolved to ask tn
e Legislature for an appropriation t
assist in carrying them on, and securin
able instructors to conduct them. Las
E year an appropriation of $500, to pa
ali uSSlSIdilI superintendent, was AiauS
n which fund, Supt. McVfcar stated. ha
been applied to the sustaining of sue
: institutes with the happiest results.
> Wednesday evening Prof. FetheI
Il gave some admirable readings and reel
= tations. His humorous stories some
e what relieved the monotony of on
e drill work-"a little nonsense, now an
: them" you know--and his rendering c
4 "The Bells and 'sThe Raven" wer
particularly fine. Reports from tn
State Institution were called for, an
President Fraser spoke at considerable
length for the interests of the Law
: renee University. The others wi
report hereafter.
I. The question of the place of meetin
# at the next session was brought III
y discussed, and laid on the table. Th
s general feeling seems to be in favor {
some point in Southern Kansas, an
, we venture to predict it goes t
/. Humboldt.
rsB.- g.. . :.