Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-09-20

her schools her Geography, Physi-
cal, Mathematical and Political.
The report Of the committee on
Medel Programme for Institutes,
was received, and committee dis
charged.
Superintendent Abernethy ad-
dressed the convention on the sub
ject of the Standard of Teachers
Qualifications. Teachers should
thoroughly understand the branches
taught; should possess. good moral
characters, aptness to teach, and
ability to govern. The considers
ton of these qualifications is not
a matter Of discretion but Of law.
Boys are girls have not executive
ability, hence the proper age is inn
portant. He knew Of instances n
which persons had taught success
fully at the age of IA to l6 years,
but they are exceptional, and the
employment of very young teachers
not advisable. The moral charac-
tiers of the teacher should be thor
oughly investigated, and if By any
means q person Objectionable in
this regard should obtain GER
tificate, it should be Immediately.
revoked, by the County Superin-
(-tendent. Teachers should read
educational works, to the end that
they may profit by their contents,
and do better work from year tt
year. +.
Some discussion ensued on the
evidence of moral character to be
required, and the opinion was free
ley expressed that written ccrtif-
Gates or testimonial. were not always
to he taken AS conclusive evidence
of such character.
Supt. Rea, of Grundy read y pa
per on "School Discipline" He
held that mental discipline is the
object of school exercises and not
the examining of the mind with
facts. The discipline Of the rod, of
the ''good old days" was contrasted
with the present system of school
government, much to the advantage
Of the latter.
The hour Of lo4 having arrived
the convention adjourned to permit
its members to accept the invitation
extended them by the officers of the
Buchanan Co. Agricultural Society,
to attend the County Fair.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention was called to
order at the usual hour by Vice
President Hurd OF Tama county;
and the session opened by prayer,
by Rev. L. w. Brintnall of VIM
throp.
A resolution was passed limiting
each speaker in general discussion
to five minutes, and that he speak
not more than twice on the same
subject.
The subject of School Discipline
being resumed, Supt. Abernethy
said; teachers may govern their
schools largely by their own man
ner, their quietness and self-posses-
sion being contagious. A busting,
noisy teacher will exert an influence
in producing the same habit in the
pupil.
An essay on methods of Instruc-
tion," was read by Supt. Champlin
of Jones. sMethod lies at the very
foundation Of all educational sys-
TENS, and in selecting his method
the teacher must consult the laws of
mental philosophy. After its adop-
ton he should try his method by
the ancient rule, "By their fruits
ye shall know them"
Supt. House Of Fayette read an
essay OH the subject of "Teachers
Associations and Meetings." in
which the holding of such meetings
often, and at different localities was
urged, in order that an interest in
school work shall be created and
widely extended. The abolition Of
Sub-District lines was recommen-
ded. :,
A general discussion followed in
which the value of such associations
was acknowledged, as affording OPP
portunity for exchange Of thought
and experience, and their formation
urged upon teachers.
At the close of this discussion a
motion to appoint committee on
resolutions OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the
chair designated Supts. burlington
Of Bremen; Brinkerhoff of Black
hawk; and Crave ofChickasaw, as
such committee.
Supt. burlington Of Bremen read
an essay on "Moral Instruction in
Schools" in which it was held that
"teachers should weave in some OF
the golden threads Of moral science
with their instruction" 1t was fol-
lowed by paper on the same sub
ject by SUIT. Hurd of lama, in
which it was viewed from the stand.
point of good government. The
speaker held that the welfare Of So
ciety is more efficiently promoted by
the prevention of crime than by its
punishment. The highest religion
Of the State should be the religion
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