The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-01-09
STATE TEACHERS INSTITUTE

STATE TEAOHER'S INSTITUTE.
The State Teachers Institute held its
annual meeting during the holidays in
the Senate Chamber at the Capitol.
The ocasion was one of improvement
and enjoyment. Many sharp and SEN
sible things were said, and, as usual,
in deliberative bodies controlled by the
lords of creation who have time to idle
away, many foolish things were said
that benefited nobody except the pie
thoric speaker who sought relief in ex-
preston. Then, one day, 4 lively
passage at arms occurred between an
Oregon City teacher and the Marion
county School Superintendent, which
we enjoyed to the fullest extent because
the combatants were not women, conse-
quently We had not the fear of news
paper TRADE against woman's power of
self-government before our eyes. This
contest waxed personal and Spartan,
and several allies were secured by both
parties. But good humor was restored
after each party had had his say and as
usual in such cases, public sympathy
was on the side of the man attacked.
Among the gentlemen who took part
in the debates we noticed number of
well-imformed elderly men who exhib-
tied comprehensive views ofthe teachers
vocation and Others whose views were
narrow, warped and cranky enough to
twist the brains of their promulgators
into patent white wire clothes lines.
An essay by Miss Sabin upon "Teach-
ing the Principles of Government in
School, was an able production and was
listened to with intense interest. Miss
S. carefully avoided the most indirect
allusion to the genus i0oBlon, and we
doubt not but that some men listened to
her words Of wisdom concerning what
children ought to learn in school relative
the fundamental principles OF individ-
ual liberty without once imagining that
the woman who was thus capable of
teaching freemen should herself be free.
But If some men listened without catch
ing this inspiration their number were
few, and among the women who failed
to catch it there was present not one.
Mrs. Dennick Entertained her hearers
with an interesting description of her
mode Of teaching the alphabet, method
in which she combines the different
vocal and aspirate sounds with the
broad sound of each letter, teaching the
child by different signs attached to the
letters in spelling books and diction-
aries, in the very beginning, that which
often puzzles the brains of older heads.
While we doubt il many young children
can comprehend her plan as readily as
she thinks, we should like to see ii
more generally used among those
more advanced in years.
Mr.. knight took the extreme oppo-
site ground, maintaining that mutes,
who of course have no knowledge oi
sound, are the best spoilers known, ex-
cept printers, and these learn wholly by
the eye.
Mr.. Buff advocated the use of both eve
and ear in learning to spell. He had q
school which he would challenge "tht
district, the county, the State, the
union, the world, the universe" to beat
in spelling, either by writing the word.
or by spelling orally, or both. Like
every other speech made by this gentle.
man, this brought down the house.
The Institute spent much time in DIS
cussing, adopting or rejecting a series OF
rules as long as the Pentateuch and
just about as useful for teachers, schools
and superintendent as far as their appli-
cation to the many graded minds of chill
dren are concerned.
Mr.. Knight offered a resolution to The
effect that the law should be so amended
as to make women eligible to the Office
Of County Superintendent and school
director. Passed unanimously.
Mrs. Price offered resolution thai
women teachers should have equal pay
with men for equal work. This also
passed without debate and without G
dissenting voice.
Professor COndon's lecture on Geol.
ogy was notable feature Of the pro.
ceediugs and the lecture of DIR. Chase
upon Chemistry awakened some pleas.
ing discussions.
Professor Smith OF the Deaf and DumI
Institute. favored the Association will
a wonderfully comprehensive plan fol
teaching English Grammar "A plar
which ought at once to be introduced
in every school in the Union. We
wonder that it has not heretofore re.
cieved more attention. His reading il
mute or sign language was highly EN-
tertaining.
Votes of thanks were tended the vari
Gus transportation companies, the Sec
retary Of state, and long list OF othe
persons who had contributed to tn,
meeting, which then adjourned sine die
ARRIVED.