Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-01-13
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INSTITUTE.
Synopsis OF Proceedings OF Township
Institute Hold at Jesup, December
Gath. 1870.

Teachers convened pursuant to
adjournment. Mr.. r. Updykc was
chosen President and G. 4. Marsh
Secretary. Exercises opened by
music and prayer.
The subject OF Reading was pre-
sented by Mr.. Stockwell. and sever
al good ideas were suggested.
An essay was then presented by
Mrs. Thomas. Subject: "Music in
our Schools" The essay received
the general appreciation of those
present, nearly all believing that
the introduction Of music into our
schools would have n tendency to
cultivate the finer and better feel
ing Of chiidren,-to cmbalm the
hearts OF youth in virtues sparkling
founts and to usher in upon the
stage, to struggle with the stern re-
alities Of life, the "coming man"
clad in morality's richest attire well
deserving to be hailed ''The noblcst
work OF God"
The question: "Should education
be compulsory?" was next consid-
cred. Mr.. Stockwcll thought that
if it we're possible to compel chill
dren to attend school without TAX
ing from their parents that "volun-
tary principle,' the root of our re-
publican system, he would be
greatly in favor Of having our law
50 changed rs to bring about the
desired result !. e. the regular attend
ance OF pupils at school Prof.
Palmer thought that there was not
the least danger in regard to the
voluntary principle,-thought that
compulsory education was of vast
Importance to the communitv,-was
in favor Of the measure. Marsh be-
lieyed that il a law Of this nature
were to be placed upon our statutes
that it would take from the people
that principle Of liberty upon which
rests the whole structure OF our re-
publican institntions-would rctard
the progress of civilization and en-
danger the prosperity of our repub-
lie.
After short recess Prof. Palmer
introduced the subject of Rhetorical
Exercises. In writing essays he
would have the pupils proceed in
an informal manner; would request
them to write description of their
lesson, be it in Arithmetic, Gram
mar, or other study, in as good Ian
guage rs they could command. GEES
ticuiation he would spend no time
in cultivating, but if the pupil
could supply the natural gesture he
would not object to them. Mr..
s,tockwell considered the Prof.'s
method OF teaching composition
valuable one. Supt. Pierce would
insist upon Rhetorical Exercises.
lie thought that these exercises with
music were very beneficial, especial
ly in vocal culture; would give the
pupil the benefit Of private rehears-
ais if possible. Gesticulation he
would cultivate in connection.
The subject of History was then
presented by Mr.. Stockwell. Mr..
$. believed that History and Gcog-
raphy should be taught together to
a great extent.
Mr.. Webb being absent, the sub
.ject Of ''Self-goyernment" was dis
cussed by others present, to some
length. Supt. Pierce then offered a
few hints in regard to Reading. He
would not only teach pupils to call
words by their proper names, hn'
he would also teach the clocutlon-
AIRY part. Would have the pupils
exercise the lungs in some proper
way before commencing to read.
Spelling and the mode ot'tcaching
it was then briefly discussed by
those present.
A committee to arrange for next
Institute was then elected, after
which Institute adjourned to meet
in four weeks.
G. +. MARSH,
Secretary