Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-09-07
Elizabethton, Aug. 1871.
OwENsvILLE, Inda., Aug. 22nd, 1871.

MEssRs. EDITORS Having just re-
turned from the ''Gibson County Teach
er's Institute, I think that perhaps L
might interest you and your readers lit
tie by an account of the proceedings of
that august body of which was enrolled d
a member. The Institute meets on the
18th inst at Patoka small but thriving,
manufacturing town on the Patoka River,
small sluggish stream which is enough
to give an East Tennesseean the fever
and ague even to look at. We assembled
at the school house. the County Examin-
er, Mr.. Stillwell in the Chair. In all
there were present during the session.
1876 teachers, many of them fully i'm
pressed with the responsibility and dig
nifty of their profession" others regret to
say, just entering or about to enter upon
teachers duties seeing only 'fun'' in be-
ing together.
The exercises were varied and extreme.
ly interesting Experienced teachers,
called up classes and explained clearly
their method of teaching certain branches,
then discussion and criticism were in or
der, and no teacher could fail to find some
thing to his or her advantage. on the ma
ny hints that were dropped. Much mer-
riment arose from the criticisms men,
Der in finding fault with another being, Ii
able to make as many errors which were
in their turn corrected errors in Gram
mar and pronunciation being the most
common. Every thing was taken good
humoredly, as it should have been and all
worked harmoniously together. On
Thursday night, we had an animated de-
bate Oh Corporal Punishment" which
brought out the real talent of the Insti-
tute. Decided that there were really no
necessity for bodily punishment in our
Common Schools. Though many mem
bers including myself are still in favor of
the '.little small switch" as our worthy
chairman expressed it and we will no
doubt use it if occasion requires. On
Friday the dreaded examination COM
menced. I will try to give you an idea
of the way they are carried on. There
was some trembling, pretended and real,
and few pale faces, among the sixty
three teachers who were seated one be-
hind the other in the school-room. No
two in seat for fear of communication.
Wonder if that really prevented it?-
Each was provided with four sheets of
fools cap and lead pencil, and ten ques-
tions upon each of the Common School
branches. Orthography, Reading. Writ
ing, Geography, Grammar, U. S. History.
Physiology and Rays Third part Arith
metic, were in turn written upon the
board. If we answered six out of ten of
each set of questions, we were sure of
certificate of 60 per cent. If more. W
received higher wages, according to the
per cent eceived. But two dollars day
is the standard l believe. The manu-
scripts will be looked over and the certi-
fcate forwarded to the candidates during
this week. On the whole the Institute
was success and L hink highly bene6-
cial to all concerned. | know that L was
profted in more ways than one. But it
does not speak we'll for Patoka, that the
teachers who visited it during the session
were compelled to pay seventy-fve cents
a day for board. 1t shows very little in
terest in education and still less hospitali-
ty. But it appearsto to be the sole object
of Hoosier's life, to make money, and
they neglect every thing else in the race.
These Institutes are good things, and L
wish could hear of one in every county
in East Tennessee. 1 would like to take
some of my Hoosier friends home with
me, and if could not show them as good
school system, l could show them more
warm hearted hospitality. But enough
of this. have no other news and must
close, for fear encroach upon your time
and the space you would give your Texas
correspondent, "Raynor," who must bear
it with his usual patience, if do.
ALPHA.
Tomato Wine.