Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-06-24

He said the work of this convention
was not to deliberate on the best mode
OF instruction In Louisiana, or Massa-
chusetts, but in Tennessee. Now what
can be done for Tennessee. Out Of the
thirty-seven States In the Union, i'm
the order Of knowledge, where would
Tennessee be? Some one answered
about the thirty-sixth. lie thought
that they should make her come
alongside Of Massachusetts. Now the
starting point was at these Won
derful arts thorough knowledge of
the same. This was the first work for
the State TO do. A first class district
school in every neighborhood i'm the
State, is the first essential to reach this
point Attention should be paid to the
primary departments by the State, as
the United States by the establishing
of the Agricultural College Mt this
place, aud the various religious col
leges would see to the higher educa-
ton. He did not believe that there
was poor boy in the State, desiring a
thorough education in the higher
branches. who could not obtain the
same free Of charge. In towns and
cities, where by the law, the authori-
ties have the right of establishing high
schools, he was in favor of merging
the academies into these free high
schools, aud thus utilize all the means.
They should not be allowed to run in
opposition to each other, but should be
merged into one.
He gave some facts as TO
the large amount OF donations
To colleges and universities by
private individuals, and soon all
these great Church institutions will
be so well endowed by private indi-
viduals they will not need aid from
other sources, and the State will soon be
called upon to give dollar to colleges.
Hence she should look to the primary
department thoroughly. He believed
that intermediate departments will
also in time be provided for by volun-
tary and private donations. He touched
on the subject of the education of
teachers-normal schools were a ne
cessity. Having disposed of the higher
schools, he considered it the duty of the
State to see to the establishing of num-
Der Que district schools, with first-class
teachers, aud the establishing of good
normal schools. He thought that it
was possible in five years from to.day
to have such "A system of education in
this State as will place her side by side
with Massachusetts on the question of
education.
Prof. J. II. Dean made some remarks
on the subject. He agreed with Presi-
dent Lindsey on the subject of the
state system of education, but he did
not think that private donations would
prove sufficient to maintain the inter
mediate departments, or so called High
Schools or Academies. He thought
they should also be provided for by a
permanent tax. One man in his county
was giving $500 IA year for this purpose
but should the State Legislature re-
move the right Ia levy IA tax for school
purposes, be would stand alone. He
thought that the High School of Bed
| ford county had done more to advance
| the cause of free education than any
| thing else. He did not want any pri'
vate schools of the lower order. He
wanted the free schools brought up to
the standard to meet the requirements
OF the people, and absorb all the pri-
Vate schools. He thought that if he
could succeed in establishing IA few
more High Schools in Bedford county
this year he would not have any
| further trouble in regard to taxes
The only question would then be, how
much do you need to make them effect
i've?
Prof. Sharp thought that it was i'm,
possible TO chalk out "A line where pub.
lie schools should stop and private
schools commence. He believed that
the day was coming when our academy
and private schools will be swallowed
up by the free school system. The peo
pie will see the superior advantages Of
the system. The teacher of private
schools too frequently force his dog
matte ideas upon his pupil. In a free
school he is surrounded by a system
and is watched by the superintendent
and they have their teachers meeting
examinations and teachers institutes
II is impossible to draw the line, as the
wants are different in different com.
munities. In the mining countries they
want geology--in cities bookkeeping,
&c. hence the line can not be drawn land
he thought it absurd to say each dis
trict should not have the right to say
what they will have taught in theil
schools.
Senator Richards made few re.
marks on the subject. He wanted 9
school in Tennessee, in which every
boy and girl in the State will learn
bAIu Vi
ton, and they would surely advance
He wanted Tennessee not to strive tc
come up with Massachusetts, but to sci
her mark beyond, and if she can't
reach it, all right, but let her strive in
that way.
! AFTERNOON SESSION.
| The convention was called to order
/ by the President, who announced that
the second question to be discussed was
on paper TO he read by Prof. A. w.
Wilson, of Morristown, on the Co
education of the sexes. "
Prof. Wilson regretted that he had
/ been assigned to the opening of the
discussion on this subject, and had not
prepared himself much, had written
nothing, except few dots since din
ner. He had in former years been
warmly in favor of co-education, but
in latter years he had been opposed to
it,
Col. Fleming stated that, in accord
ance with a resolution passed at the
last meeting of this body, he had
made arrangements TO hold ten teach
ers' institutes-three in this section,
four in Middle Tennessee, and three
I