The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-07-11
Isl Special telegram to the Dispatch
Educational Association of Virginia.
ADDRESS OF COL. WM. P. yoHNsTo
Second Days Proceedings.
MORNING SESSION.


of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution. |
After several pieces on the organ admirably |
rendered by MIR. William Tyson, one of the |
blind pupils of the institution, the Association
was opened with prayer by Rev. DR.. .. B. |
Ewing, of Augusta county.
DR.. William &. Pendeton, president of |!
Bethany College, West Virginia, and the |
clergy of Staunton and the vicinity, were in |
vited to sit with the body and participate in |
its discussions.
burg, from the Committee on Nominations,
reported the following names: President,
Professor E. s. Joynes, of Washington ard
Lee University; First Nice-Presidcnt, I'ro-
fessor john Hart, of Staunton; Second Vice
President, Professor w. A. Sheppard, Of RAN
dolph Macon College; Third Vice-P resident,
r. l.. Carlle, of Alexandria; Fourth Vice
President, Professor j. A. Turner, of Holins
Institute; Secretary, W. o. English, princi-
pal Verulam School, Albcmarlc; Treasurer,
d. S. Doggett, Jr., principal Classical School,
Richmond; Corresponding Secretary, L. NJ.
Blackford, principal Episcopal High School,
Alexandria. All were unanimously elected.
Professor Joynes then read paper on
" A curriculum for primary and secondary
schools, and further to report some system
of equivalents for secondary schools whereby,
if possible, students not studying the COM
pcte curriculum may be brought to pursue
some complete and consistent course of
study"
The report pays graceful compliment 10
the previous reports of MIR. Abbott and Fro-
frssor r. r. Price, and refers to them for de-
tails. Tt argues in favor Of the elective
rather than the curriculum system, insisting
that the latter is fast passing away under the
progress of the age. But it dcprecates the
extremes of both systems. He would allow
A choice of studies by the student, but he
would have this choice regulated by the nd
vice and influence of the teacher. He would
have all stirred up to take the very fullest
course of study, but he would meet and pro-
vide for, by "A wcl~resulated system of cqutca-
lcnts the patent fact that all OF the students
will not take the full course.
The report details at some length, first,
classical schedule second, an alternate sehe
dule. including Latin but not Greek; third,
one including neither Latin nor Greek.
Professor Joyncs argued that the proper
stady of modern languages, especially Ger
man, would prove the best substitute where
the student cannot be induced to take 4
course i'm Latin and Greek. The report
closes with table giving in detail schedule
of elective study and equivalents
The paper bore the impress of Professor
,Joynes's research and scholarship, and was
listened to with deep attention.
The report being before the house for dis
cussion. Mr.. Abbott, of Bellevue School, said
that he agreed with Professor Joynes so far
as it applies to colleges and universities, but
doubted some of the positions so far us they
apply to secondary schools. He especially
insisted ON the absolute necessity OF classics
in the secondary schools as having a disripli-
nary power that nothing else can Ire a sub
stitute for.
Professor Joyne's explained that he fully
agreed with Mr.. a bbott OH the desirability of
having all study the classics, but lie only
meant to meet the stubborn fact that Il large
number of boys will not study the classics,
and proper proyisio must be made for
| them. @.
General T. H. Smith said chat the right to
choose implied the capacity to make suita-
BILE choice. He insisted that the teacher is
better qualified than. the pupil to judge OF
what he ought to study, and that we should
not lose the disciplinary power Of causinsthe
boy to study what he did not fancy. He ad-
mitted that the tendency of the times is to
abolish the curriculum, but earnestly insisted
| that we should II sst this tendency as great
evil.
The discussion was further participated in
| by Messrs. Black ford, Phillips, Abbott, Bar
| ton, Johnston, C. w. smith, Joyness Davis,
f. Il. Smith, Pike Powers, .Withers, and
! Terry.
Rev. r. T. Barton desired to know what
should be done with boys who come for only
four months during the year.
Colonel Johnston suggested that such boys
should read Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrims Pro-
gress, &C., and do a little ciphering.
Mr.. Blackford thought that there is no
practical solution Of this difficulty unless
there are enough Of these boys to be classed.
Colonel Johnston said that while we may
prefer our own system, we should recognize
that each system has its advantages, and t.at
each one of the institutions Of the State has
its place and its appropriate work.
| General Smith cordially Endorsed the re-
marks of Colonel Johnston He always
rejoiced when there came to the Virginia
| Military Institute yonth who had already
given much attention to tlie study Of the
classics.
! Dir, Powers insisted th'4t The report pros
r . 49, ~ @ ~ ( E =. f