The Portland daily press., 1874-12-01

Shall We Have supervisor s-Hearing
before the Cemmitiee ON Public I'm.
northumberland by Several GscniIc-
men.
The Committee on Public Instruction held a
hearing last evening to give opportunity to citi-
zens to express their views regarding the SUPER
vision of our schools and the proper plan to be
adopted. The chairman of the committee,
Alderman Smith, opened the bearing by a
brief statement of its objects. There was not
large attendance, but the discussion, though
confined to few participants, took wide
range.
Frederick Fox, Esq, being called upon by
the chairman, said he preferred to hear from
Other gentlemen, because his own views in TO.
gard to our schools were very radical.
Mr.. Colcori of the School Committee was
then called upon, but declined to speak, saying
he was in attendance as q listener. 9
Mr.. c. w. Hawkes. favored something akin
to supervisorship. He thought our children
were not receiving all the instruction needed
If the trouble is with the teachers, then new
teachers should be employed. If the appro-
phiotiOuo WcIc uUt ldTRC cuOuSu, tuCu IdTSeI
appropriations should he made.
The chairman, by request, stated the views
of COL c. B. Merrill, former member Of the
School Committee, who was unable to be pres
emit Colonel Merrill favored a committee of
nine, one from each ward, and two at large
The terms should be three years, and one third
of the board should retire each year. The
power of the board should be advisory, and
there should be superintendent Of schools to
do the visiting, SC. The examination of teach
ers should be with the committee. The manage
ment of school buildings and property should
be with the Committee on Public Buildings.
Mr.. Albro E. Chase thought the subject of
deep moment, but had no suggestions to offer.
J. H. Hamlin. ESQ.,, thought the old COM
mittee was too large q body. While on the
board he favored the appointment of q super
visor, who should make it his sole business to
attend to the matter of public instruction. He
favored that plan now. The conflicting views
OF members Of the board made confusion and
difficulty in examinations and methods and
plans Of study. There was lack of uniformity.
The committee should not exceed fourteen
men, and the Mayor of the city should be
e@-oticiO its chairman. A body of men which
expends $4,000 year, should not be indepen-
dert of the city government. Mr.. Hamlin
thought there was too much hard study of text
books in the schools, and too little teaching.
He almost wished all text books could be abol-
ished. Our children are loaded down with
books. They are overworked. He related
several instances Of servile adherence to the
very letter of the text books. The pupil should
be encouraged to ask questions, should not be
required to memorize only. The lessons should
be learned-in school, and the pupils should not
be required to study out of school hours.
Mr.. j. M. Palmer suggested the choice of
seven or nine men who shall have the entire
management of the schools, and who shall be
selected with reference to their fitness only.
A third only of these men should go out at
time, so that there should be no sudden charge,
and no great Influx Of inexperience These men
should choose man who should have the
more particular management of the schools,
who should select the teachers to be examined
by the committee or certain members chosen
for that purpose. Certain influences could not
then be brought to bear which are now brought
to bear. Mr.. Palmer thought the whole sys-
tenn of marking should DO done away with.
Glasses might be divided into sections, accord
ing to ability and quickness of mind, and let
the desire to reach the most advanced section
be the incentive and the stimulus to study,
Mr.. Palmer had tested this plan in Bangor,
and it had worked admirably,
Mr.. Frederick Fox did not know as he ought
to say anything, as he had seen the inside of
this ''school performance" He thought that
the teachers should be present, should be asked
to give their experience and their views, should
be assured that nothing they say shall be to
their detriment. Tho teachers know more
about what the schools need than all the com-
mittees that ever were chosen. The teachers
can tell us what this trouble is Of which we
hear so much, and how it can be obyiated or
remedied. The teachers do not care to speak
out so long as they are dependent upon A. b.
or c. for their positions.
Mr.. Albro Chase said that during all Ills
teaching in Portland he had seen committee
men present but six times at his examinations,
and that no committee man had ever made q
suggestion to him in regard to teaching. Why
the committee did not interfere with him nor
proffer suggestions he left to his hearers to de-
termine; perhaps the committee didn't care to
get tangled up in Greek roots. Iu well regu-
lated schools like the North School, where
the principal has charge Of the matters mem
TONED by Mr.. Palmer, many Of Mr.. Palmer's
ideas have been carried out. There have been
cases in the High School where pupils have
completed the course in a year less than the
regular time. In relation to instruction he
thought the plan now in vogue could be i'm
proved upon.
Mr.. Colcord of the School Committee gave
some account Of his visits to schools, showing
the excellent work done by the teachers, and
the freedom from mere routine teaching.
In reply to a question Mr.. Chase said he
thought superintendent was needed.
The hearing was then closed. The chairman
stated that the discussion Of the subject was
but just begun, and that other hearings would
be necessary. The next hearing was appointed
for next Friday evening. On suggestion of
Councilman MacMahon it was decided to in
vite the teachers to be present.
THE MUsEUM.-Those who witnessed the