Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-08-24

in the department OF nlgnsL oAucd-
tion, II. x. Edison, Esq, OF Iowa, read
an essay on classical study and the
means of securing it in the West, in
which he took strong ground in favor
of classical study. No means ofdisci-
pline have yet been discovered so ef-
fective and thorough.
Referring to the means to secure at
tention in this direction, he said, con-
siderine the divisions OF education
into the three departments OF prima-
nv. secondary and higher, we find a
deficiency in the supply of institu-
tiOps of the second grade, especially
in the West. The State makes ample
provision for the first class and for
the third class. The State provides
only in exceptional cases through the
normal school. The State prepares
the teacher for his work in the prl-
mary school. The want Of similar
facilities for the training of classical
teachers for our preparatory schools
has been a serious hindrance to the
prosperity Of our colleges to sup
ply these facilities, to establish
schools that shall in rural districts en-
list the youth and initiate them IN a
course of classical study, we consider
the immediate and pressing want OF
the time. Direct efforts should be
made In favorable localities for the
establishment Of independent train
ing schools for classical teachers or to
form departments in existing schools
sufficiently ample to tit youths for
college. and the clamOr against the
study OF the languages would cease.
Hon. John Eaton, Jr., United states
Commissioner of Education, thenTead
an essay on superior instruction IN re-
Iation to universal education. At the
conclusion ei the address, Rev. hr.
Gulliver offered the following resolu-
tion:
ResoIred, That the Convention
highly approves the effort now In pre-
gresssto unite more perfectly thecourses
OF study in the public high schools and
the college by introducing special
classical courses on the part OF the
schools, and by modifying, without
lowering, the requirements OF admis-
sion on the part Of the college; and
that we also heartily indOrse all ef-
forts to supply any temporary or per-
manent deficiency in the classical in
structions furnished in the public
schools, or by academies specially de-
voted to the studies required in pre-
paration for college.
| A lively and interesting debate fol-
lowed, in which Mr.. Teake, of Dixon
college, Illinois, Professor Shaffer, OF
Chicago, DR.. Wallace, Professor BIod-
get, Of Rockford, and others partici-
pated. The resolution was adopted.
The Normal and superintendent
sections were consolidated.
Mr.. Edwards, President Of the Nor
NAL school of Illinois, read paper
on model schools in connection with
normal schols. This subject was dis
cussed by Miss Annie G. Bracket, the
| principal of normal schools Of this
city; VIM. T. Phelps, President of the
| normal school of Minnesota, and DIR.
Sangerster, Superintendent of the
normal institution of Toronto, On
tario. Mr.. Phelps entered most
earnest protest against the assertion
of Governor Brown. He regretted
exceedingly that the members Of the
association had been compelled to lis
ten to such false ideas. DR.. Sanger
ster explained the methods adopted
in the school in his charge and strong
ly advocated the union OF the normal
schools and schools Of practice. He
said that by such a combination his
| school had grown in a remarkable
manner. There are four hundred
pupils now in the schOol-its full ca
pscity. There are upward OF two
thousand applicants waiting for ad-
mission. The doctor Invited ques'
tions, and explained some OF the pc
culiar features of the school. In the
elementary section, methods of teach
ing primary reading were considered
in an essay by B. E. White, of Ohio,
which was followed by an address on
the methods of teaching languages,
by d. II. Crittenden, Of New York.
A meeting of the General Associa-
ton was held this evening in the
large hall of the Polytechnic building,
which was filed by an intelligent
and attentive audience. The Presi-
dent, Mr.. Packard announced the
committee on resolutions, honorary
members and nominations. Mr.. J,
2. Wickersham, of Pennsylvania,
then delivered an address on the com.
pulsory system of education as i'm.
practicable and un-American in which
he reviewed a bill introduced during
, the latter part of the last session o.
Congress by Mr.. Hoar, of Massachu-
sets. The discussion of the bill
he said, and the comments on its sub
iect matters by the press exhibited q
sentiment in favor of some such sys-
tenn as that contemplated. The defeat
OF Mr.. HOar's bill does not settle the
question. The future consideration
of it is probable, and it well becomes
this body to give it due consideration
Mr., Wickersham then examined In
detail the nineteen or twenty sections
of the bill, which, speaking generally
, provide for the appointment, by the
President, of State Superintendent
who limits the number of schools in
each district which are leased or pur
chased under the direction Of the Com
missioner Of Education. All teacher:
are employed by local Superintend
ents. A direct tax of so, 600 annually
is directed for school purposes to be
assessed and collected by the first Asst
Collector Of Internal Revenue. The
speaker opposed such a measure, on
the ground that the establishment Oi
such a system is In opposition TO the
, uniform practice of the National Gov
ernment; in opposition to the view;
of the founders of the Republic and
the leading statesmen OF the nation;
as Of doubtful constitutionality, and
in opposition to sound Republican
, political philosophy. Mr.. Wicker
sham reviewed the condition Of things
in the South, out Of which, he said
arose the idea of the bill. In view o
this state of affairs. let Congress judi
clously aid the South in the efforts L
is now making.