Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-11-09
PoPIalar EducAtien-The State
o. Teachers Asssciation.-- -;

| . IL .er- aal4T
The assembly of teachers and friends O.
popular education, that held its sessions al
theicapitol on Wednesday and Thursday
was, as 70 its membership, highly respecta.
bic, both In intelligence and earnestnesE
of purpose. -tasso 81 ~ a1t1H5g9 9i
Practical education seems to have beer
with many o frthem a subject of thorough
Investigation % Hence their u-tterances are
worthy. of the attention Of all who favor
of this the assOcistion gave unmistaka-
Bile proof The subject of public school.
is engaging the attention of the masses all
over. the State The people are in advance
Of many politicians on this subjeot.-They
ars seeking Eighth regard to the ways ard
means Of supporting them, and the best
method of managing them. 9a'hHait efoa
Such assemblies as our State Teachers
Association are we'll calculated to impress
all feaecting men, and to enlightrn those
who may be seeking information upon o
most important subject that interests every
parent in the State, whose ireside is en-
livened by the gay prattlings of children.
The earnest student, the learned professor,
the plodding sohool-master, some of whom
labor in obscure and retired fields [ vet
o the less worthy for that), the politi-
clan full of honors, or, mayhap, just SEEK
ing popular favor, the reverend senior,
and the hopeful young men Just entering
upon active life, constitute the make up"
Of such bodies. -
That such varied elements of society
should unite in Jealous advocacy of popu-
lar education is Of itself a significant fact,
and the monitions this fact points to. the
politician and statesman cannot safely dis
regard. OF the uttersnces of a body com
posed az above Indicated every rejecting
mind must take notice. Though many of
those pttcrapces may not meet our ap-
proyal, because they are the suggestions Of
minds not daily in contact with the real
people, and therefore impracticable or far
in advance of popular sentiment, yet from
many Of them much of political wisdom
is to be gathered by the ~thoughtfull states
man, who las q due regard lin his plans
and policy for tho various elements Of
society, and the thoughts and ideas that
have originated and taken root in the po-
palar mind ard heart.
No one, who was present st the educa-
tional meetings. or sttentively read the re-
ports of the discussions can fail to note
ability of the speakers and the earnestness
which characterized them. The opinions
expressed in regard t "details we're varied,
yet the body was unanimous ia favoriDg
the public school system, whereby all the
Children Of the State may be educated,
and in urging the importance of an educa-
tional bureau. with a Superintendent at
its lead, whose duty it shall be to visit the
various counties and arouse an interest
upon the subject, with general supervisory
duties and power to collect statistics.
On the subject of creating the Office Of
Superintendent of Education for the State,
there was no dissenting voice. This officer
is called for by the necessity of collecting
end difusing information upon the subject
of schools, and as a power to arouse atten-
ton to the Importance of the public school
system. Such an officer with appropriate
qualifications. all agreed. ought to be up
pointed. Thoroughly imbued with the
educational spirits, acquainted with the
details of the business, possessed of tact
in bringing the subject before the people
and also by tongue and pen to arouse 9th
ers to action would lave a field of useful
ness in which to operate second in import
ance to none in the land. That there is
need for such an officer there can be no
doubt, and the creation of it is we'll worthy
of the serious consideration Of the mem
bers of the present Legislature.-Bannsr.