The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-02-05
COLWMBHXT HTC.
Wednesday, Morning. February 5s1S7s.
The Edueation; pr T.achsrs.

tUtO tuo o6uhto UJ NI. y. Il. WnlGte-
more, which passed it's second reading
on Monday, to establish and support
State normal school. It's several sections
seem to us to be consistent with each
other, and we'll adapted to secure the
ends which are sought. Teaching is an
art which requires special qualifications,
chief among which is teaching itself
Experience only can perfect the teacher
in tho requirements, and in the tact and
patience, which are Indispensable to his
skill and successes We have always been
surprised thatso little has been learnt in
this country from the admirable treatise
of Professor Pillaus, Rector OF the High
School of Edinburgh, in which the bene-
fits of the monitofiaI system are
thoroughly demonstrated, and illustrated
by ten years Of distinguished success in
that school. According to it, as boys
become capable, and shoW aptitude, they
are advanced from one, position to- an
other as instructors Of their younger. and
less advanced associates. The. habit Of
teaching. is thus gradually acquired. and
becomes as much ingrained in their men
tai conatitution as the learning itself
which they acquire. With the exactness
and ftllness 'of knowledge which are iu-
separable from the capable teacher, the
sense of responsibility and the habit of
punct1alits. in al things, are developed
by thiazayAtam .more satisfactorily and
S,on nj efalv thop hy any o}bor pbo LII
undafi Yeonsid deraEops contemplates
course Of special instruction, and training
which shall qualify teachers for their
calling. 1t is not stated in. it whether
the valuable feature to which we have
alluded is to be Incorporated in it or
not. Perhaps this is to be left to the.
eetiono OF the Instructors who are to be
employed. It is worthy of their con-
alteration, or of the regents. who, we
suppose. are to be charged with the duty
OF selecting them.
Just here we think the bill defective.
The mode in which the regents are to be
constituted, their number, officers, spe.
clnd functions meetings and general
duties are prescribed. The class from
which they are to select the pupils of the
zchool is defined. Lectures in chemis.
try, anatomy, physiology, astronomy,
the mechanic arts and agriculture, are to
be provided for. Visitors are to be an
nually appointed, andsto make annual
reports upon the condition. organisation
and management OF the school, with
such suggestions as they may think ex-
pedient. But nowhere do we find any
seotion or provision which points out
how the teachers are to be selected. This
Is matter of extreme Importance. The
principle of competitive examination,
by athoroughly competent and accom-
plished board Of examiners, should be
applied to them, and .fayoritism in their
appointment rigidly e1cluded by strin.
gent regulations.
We sincerely desire the success of this
new educational movement. Entertain
ing this feeling. we look with some ap
prehension to the seventeenth section Of
the bill. which gives authority to the re-
gents and the State Superintendent of
Education to appropriate whatever build
ings and grounds of the University they
shall think fit and necessary to carry ont
the scheme of the normal school. Un-
fortunately. there is room there. it is
true. But we think it of doubtful expe-
dienoy to enoroach upon An old
institution, and to divert any part
of it's domain to other uses. It is
eonsecrated in the affections of our peo-
pie. who look upon it with much interest
oven in its present decline. They ap-
preciate the considerate action of the
Board of Trustees Of the new regime in
its government. We believe that, if let
alone. they will again rally to its sup.
port. banishing from their view and re-
collection certain untoward ciroum-
stances which have caused their distrust
We do not choose to enlarge upon these.
The Legislature, if 1t be wise and really
desire this institution to revive, may do
much toward 1t, by appointing, in
proper spirit of conciliation n fair nro-