The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-01-09
educational.
address all communications for this column
q To the Editor of the Education
al. Kem0s1l0. Wisconsin.
REPORT OF THE CONVENTION OF SUI.
PERINTENDENTs AND PRIN-e
CIPALS.


il, convention in the capitol at Madison,
Thursday evening, Dec. 26, pursuant to the
call OF State superintendent Falows.
The convention was promptly organized
by the appointment of Supt. Fallows to the
cnair, and |. N. Stewart as Secretary.
In accordance with the programme pub
lished with the notice, "The Compulsory
Township System" was fully discussed and
finally referred to committee. The argu.
ments for and against this subject were ably
sustained, bringing to view most of the peril
nent points. The discussion was practical
rather than speculative, seeking criterion
for recommendation in the practical work
ing of the System, wherever it has been In
operation. The result OF the investigation
allows the inference, that although desira-
bic results have not always followed the
adoption of the Township System, this Ia at
tributable, not SO much to any general defect
lnathe principle upon which the System Is
founded, as TO the delinquency of those upon
whom devoives the duty of executing it's
provisions. If this be the case, it seems
meet to continue on the permieslve prnci-
pie, until such time as the people will be
prepared to execute It's every provision, and
thus etfectually Obviate the evil, taught by
the experience, that"dea5 statutes are
lanes TO the republic" ..,..
''Change in Reports of Joint School Dis
tricts" was now taken up, and the discussion
led by w. H Chandler of Dane County
Mr.. Chandler being thoroughly conversant
with the defects and needs OF our schools.
recommended many changes IN making joint
district reports, the adoption OF any of
which would tend TO obviate the difficulties
experienced in collecting these statistics.
The subject was referred to a committee.
At this iuDcture, Prof. G. l.. Weed, prn-
cipal Of the Institute at Daavan, for the
education of the deaf and dumb, introduced
young lady pupil, tor the purpose of delin-
eating the methods employed by the faculty
to supply means of communication with
this afflicted class. He presented two sys-
TENS, The Manual and the Pantomime, in
both of whicm his pupil showed great prof.
cheney. The Professor reclted in Panto.
mime. poems and stories, while his pupil at
tentively observed lis actions, and although
the subjects Of these pan omimic recitations
were new to her. she wrote IN clear and
concise style, every thought conveyed. The
diction was, indeed, no more remarkable
than her elegant and legibe handwriting !;
| while her knowledge of the practical appn.
cation of the rules OF pun 'tuation, Is as
nearly perfect as that complex art permits.
Too much cannot be said in audatlon of
the mFgnanimity of the State in it's efforts to
build up institutions tor the relief of the dis
ressed and afflicted and more especially in
maintaining these schools designed to open
avenues of communication with those bril-
liant minds, which, through some defect IN
the operations of Natures laws. must ether
wise have remained sealed up in the dark
ness of absolute ignorance
| The topic, Shall knowledge OF the Ele-
ments OF Natural Science be required for
third grade Certifcates?" was then brought
Before the Convention, the discussion being
led by o R Smith and A. Salisbury. Able
arguments were presented for the pro and
con of this subject Quite a respectable num-
Der made strenuous efforts 10 maintain the
negative, while the majority were no less
Jealous in pushing the claims of the affirm
alive. The hiatus was finally closed up by a
''comprcmse, tho alternatives concedin q
that the quirenent should extend co appli-
cats for oil grades OF certificates, while the
negatives admitted thai the intended result ts
might follow the adoption OF the amended
form,
The compromise was wise one; and we
venture to say was brought about by few
suggestions from Prof AIbee to the effect
that such requirement. would be in nowise
impolitic, Judging from the results which
followed the Introduction Of the study of
Civil Government iuto the common schools.
! The speaker proceeded to show the eager
ness with which teachers sought to acquaiAt
themselves with % knowledge of this branch
of science and also that reports imply that
teachers sustain as creditable an examine
ton in this branch, as any other in when
they are required to be examined and
| further, the educating influence the enact
nest had in bringing this very important
branch more tangibiy to the notice OF the
people generally. The speaker closed by
briefly abiding TO the fact that the Elements
OF Natural Science is one OF The great high
ways through which the minds Of the COM
mon school pupils con he led into the richest
fields of thought, and thus create q desire
that will continually lend 30 broader and
.Aore liberal culture of mind and heart
The rural surroundings Of these districts
afford the most ample facilities for collect
ing topics, and presentipg them by tangible
Illustrations, IN the clearest and most com.
prehensive form; but the teacher can never
direct This work M more than INV otbor