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

mer, and the convention generally.
Supt. Abcrnethy, held that the
Township Boards had no legal au-
thority to purchase Text Books.
An essay on the subject of "School
Supervision and Inspection" was
read by Supt. Healey, of Alamakee;
which was able and well received.
1t was followed by discussion, and
the question raised by Supt. Healey's
paper, whether the Superintendent
on visiting a school should assume
control of it, teaching and exam
ing it tor the time, was decided in
the affirmative. The convention
then adjourned until o'clock p. M.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention was called to or
der by the chair and Rev. G. S.
Percival led in devotional exercises.
A motion to appoint committee
of one to confer with like COM
mittee of the recent convention of
County Superintendent, held at
Washington in this State, to secure
more efficient supervision, and pre-
pare blanks for that purpose, was,
after some discussion, carried.
How to correct Township Secrc-
tarics' reports was then taken up,
State Superintendent Abernethy,
held that the County Superinten-
dents must see that their reports are
correct.
On motion Supt. Ely was re-
quested to furnish each County SUI
perintendent Of this district, a copy
of his blank contracts and specifica-
tons for building School Houses.
The question of "Appeals" was
presented by Supt. Merton, of Della
ware. Supt. Langham, submitted a
motion which prevailed, that men,
bers should speak but FIVE minutes,
and but once on any question. In
the matter of appeals the State Su-
perindendent gave advice that the
discretionary powers of the school
board should not be interfered with,
without good reason. The question
was further discussed by Supts.
House, Grave, More, Franks, Mer-
rill, Hurd, Rea, and Prof. Piper.
A motion to rescind the above mo-
ton of Supt. Laugham, was lost.
Supt. More, of Hardin, read a
paper on "Normal Schools" Supt.
Aberncthy, made some remarks on
the question, setting forth the neces-
sity for normal schools to prepare
teachers for their work ,and showing
that Iowa was very backward in
this regard; New York having nine
of these institutions, and other
States being well provided. He was
Of the opinion that the large expen-
ditures for our State rcformatory
institutions intcrferes seriously with
our school appropriations.
Amendments to our School Laws
was bought up and elected general
discussion, Supt. Merrill, Of Floyd,
leading.
Prof. Piper offered a resolution
that County High Schools should be
established in every county having
population of 1000 and over; and
also that tho County Superintendent
should be the auditing officer Of the
School Fund, and sec that it is used
for the proper purpose. Carried.
The committee on resolutions SUBJ
mitted their report. On motion the
resolutions were taken up, and acted
upon separately. The report as
amended and finally adopted is as
follows:
WHEREAS, the action of our Legislature
in allowing townships to resolve them
selves into Independent Districts, is work
ing disastrously to the smaller Sub.Dis.
tricts and destroying what little system
formerly existed, and whereas We believe
that the township system will greatly
promote the efficiency of the District
Schools, preventing many of the difficult
ties attending tie administration Of our
school laws, placing the management
Of the schools in the hands Of better
class of school officers, and securing a
uniform rate of taxation in each town
ship, therefore:
/. Rcs0loed, That we endorse the
township system, and pledge ourselves to
labor for its adoption.
WHEREAS, the same intelligent super.
vision which has without question great
ly contributed to the efficiency Of our
graded schools in cities and towns, would
if extended to the ungraded District
Schools of the State, produce like favor
able results, and whereas, the obstacles
in the way Of this supervision at persent
are the insufficient compensation of
County Superintendents,and the lack Of
intelligent appreciation Of the value Of
supervision. therefore:
2. RESOLVED. That we endorse the nc
ton of the State Teachers Association,
recommending such change in the law as
shall provide adequate salaries for these
officers, and make the position ineligible
to any but practical, earnest, competent
educators.
WHEREAS a knowledge of the human
system and the laws of health, should
receive greater attention in our schools,
therefore,:
3. Resolced, That the school laws
should be so amended rs to add Physio
logy and Hygiene to the studies on
which teachers are required to be ex-
amined for certificates to teach.
4. ResolUed, That.we ask all Institutes
and Educational Conventions, to be held
during the coming year, to discuss the
township system, normal schools, more
vital county supervision, to the end that
: knowledge be difl'used, and the public
mind, interested in the reform needed TO
place Iowa abreast Of those States now
standing in the front rank