Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-06-24
huorbIe talekIp GBromtle sa1eOmsOap, yuut o. 1874

Rev. Mr.. Morton, formerly of Mis-.
souri,, but now Of this State, was elected
to an honorary membership.
Prof >. u. Sharp, of Maryyille
opened the discussion on the question
Of The relation OF normal schools
to an efficient system of Public
schools" He began by explaining his
ideas of what public schools are. The
system should be thoroughly organized
like an army, having general and
special officers, so az to thoroughly
work up every department. But this
was not all. Every officer might be
energetic and efficient, but unless well
trained teachers could be had no good
work would be done. We must have
normal schools To educate the teacher
In the normal school the pupil is made
not only to understand the subject. hut
also to give the reason VIII. it il 80. He
must, in fact, be able to write a text
book on every branch studied. The
speaker then explained the theory OF
teachers institutes as Il substitute for
normal schools The good to he effect.
ed in this way Is very great. Normal
schools are in successful operation in
Iowa, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Ohio and
q
received State aid, and Others having
been established solely by urivat,
enterprise. Prof Hulbrook's normal
school in Ohio has an annual attend.
anCe OF from 6O0tO 500 students. Hun.
dreds Of trained teachers are sent out
every year from the normal schools q
Pennsylvania. Tennessee should hav,
three Of these schOols-une in each
Al y of a. 4
that with a portion of the Peabody
fund now used for common schools
together with aid from the State, sucl
schools could aud should be cstab
lished
Prof. II. Presnell, of Jonesbcro', sale
that unity was essential to the success
of school system. To secure this, VT
must have efficient officers aud trained
teachers. Our great trouble is with
inefficient teachers. The trained pro
iesslonal teacher Is as essential rs the
trained lawyer or physician.
Prof. NJ. G. Butler, of Knoxville, Of
tered resolution that the State Super
intendent of Public Instruction recon-.
mend to the Legislature the appoint
ment of one man from each division o
the State to deliver popular lecture
and conduct teachers institutes, max
ing quarterly report to the Stat,
Superintendent. He then supported
the resolution in extended remarks
which were full of facts aud conclusive
He thought an appropriation of S25 ,00
by the tate to carry out this objec
would tittingly be entitled 4" An Act t
prevent the squandering of One-half o
three millions of dollars
Rev. Mr.. Morton thought il best tina
the Association should direct its ener
gies to one object, and adopt either tn,
Institute or the Normal School plar
alone, as it Is always hard matter {,
get two measures through Legislature
AT one session
Hon. Jno. NJ. Fleming. State Super
intendent, thought it best to defer
action on the resolution to the anuua
meeting of the Association.
On motion the action was deferred
Prof. A. :. Loventhal, of Kentucky
entertained the convention with some
sarcastic remarks against disturbing
the peace of those teachers with
whom Ignorance il bliss" as norma
schools would cause it to be said o
them, Othello's occupation is gone"
He hoped Speaking seriously sucl
SCHOOLS WOulu soon De established al
over the South.
Prof A. w. Wilson, of Morristown
took the ground that the money spen
in Peabody schools would be bette
expended in normal schools.
The convention will meet again this
morning at $3.50.
The discussion of topics will b,
opened by Prof. Alex. Bartlett o
Maryville, on The subject-Should fire,
instruction in public schools be cor
fined to the elementary or common
branches of an education?
The entire programme will be gon,
through with during the forenoon an,
a final adjournment reached
The convention of county Superiu
tendents will meet tomorrow morning
at $50 o'clock.