National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-29
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION.

tion should be paid to art culture. Some people
| think drawing was Of no use. This was great
mistake and no time should be lost in teaching
| the pupils of schools this art Every workman
should be able to conceive in his own mind every
thing he worked with, and what he was working.
| He thought there was q great waste Of time in
the mode ofteaching in the public schools. The
prevailing theory Of teaching in this country was
6Ien to criticism. He thought the pupil should
be taught in practical way. He should be
shown in elementary instruction the wants in
life. He favored selecting the most practical
studies, and those that could be learned in the
shortest space Of time.
Mr.. NEWELL, OF MARYLAND.
Mr.. Newell, of Maryland, said that in Mary
land plan had been made to eliminate from the
was difference in the department of education
between that which was scientific, that which
Among the great complaints there was one that
the work of the schOOlroom made the pupils too
much Of school boys and school girls, and did not
give them the sense Of application. The instruc-
ton given should be made to tell every time,
and to interest the pupils and not have 1t con-
sidered great labor.
which recess was taken until O'Clock.
Evening Session.
Superintendent Wilson called the department
to order at O'Clock, after which Mr.. H. G..
Spencer, president of the Washington Business
college, presented each delegate with a copy OF
the Theory Of Spencerian Penmanship."
The delegates were present in stronger num-
bers than at the morning session. In addition
there was large audience many OF whom were
lady teachers and the wives Of delegates. Among
the distinguished personages was Prof. Henry,
of the Smithsonian Institution. Prof Walter
Smith, State director Of art education, Massachu-
sets, was introduced, and made an address on
Industrial Drawing in Public Schools" Prof
Smith demonstrated his subject with drawings,
some Of which were of the most artistic design.
drawing in the schools. He insisted that it was
gradually being developed, and much interest
was being manifested by educators on this sub
lect. The effects Of this teaching, every one
knew, was crowned with the most beneficial re
suits.
established, and the projectors have expressed
themselves as being highly pleased with the re
suits. Prof Smith claimed that it only required
from this instruction. He would have inscribed
over every school door, THY right hand shall
teach you what you shall do" Drawing was only
a species of gymnastics, but Of that class which
always does men benefit. Drawing was divided
into two classCs-mechanical and ornamental.
The person endeavOring to become draughts-
man must put his whole attention to il; the eye
must be trained by constant exercise. 1t was not
only possible, but practical, to teach
INDUSTRIAL DRAWING
in public schools. 1t was necessary in many
branches Of business, and grave responsibilities
rested on those who deprived the child from this
branch Of education. Some difficulty was en-
c, untered in obtaining competent teachers, which
proved that attention had not been given this
pictures 10 copy, instead Of allowing the pupils to
select their own subjects. He thought the most
satisfactory method to institute drawing in
schools was for the Board Of School Trustees to
employ competent teachers whose duties should
he nothing else than teaching industrial draw
ing. What was required in the workshops should
lie taught in tie schools.
at this point Professor Smith was interrupted
by large rat running across the room, which had
the effect Of causing the ladies in tue audience to
scream, and for moment created great cOmmo-
ton. Order being restored Professor Smith con-
tinued his remarks by giving several plans by
which the introduction Ofthe study in the schools
would be successful, and closed by showing some
Of the advantages that would be derived from its
adoption in the schools. child loves to draw
and in some instances the designs are interesting.
A child loves to play with pencil and paper, and
with it will remain quiet for hours, or so long as
the paper and pencil lasts. Two hours per week
could be devoted to drawing with good effect.
In Boston teaching drawing in schools works adj
mirably and with much interest to the pupils.
Refined work is turned out by scholars that
would astOnish many. He thought there were
too many new-tangled ideas in teaching at this
period. This country has not comprehended in
dustrial education; 1t can only be taught in the
public schools, and every physically sound child
can be taught drawing. No civilized nation can
stand still on this important subject, and the day
was not far distant when drawing In public
schools would be a success.
Mr.. Marble moved that Baron Schwarz San
born be made an honorary member of the De-
paTtmeDt Of Superintendenee, National Educa-
iioDal Association. Adopted.
T. D. AJ..S
ploring the death of Hon. Milton b. Hopkins, re-
turning thanks to ]. .. Wilson and his associates,
Board Of Education, the press Of Washington, ex-
Governor Shepherd, and the gentlemen who read
papers before the department. They were all
ERiogies were delivered by Mr. Burgess of Ind,
and General Eaton on the demise OF Mr.. NJ. B.
Hopkins.
The president, Superintendent ]. q. Wilson,
submitted the following communication
PROM THE COMMISSIONER OF MEXICO:
No 1E3f
wAsHINGToN, D. c., Jan. ., 1870. }
Hon. J. OTmo7id Wilson, president Of the National
Contention If School SUpeTinteHdCTts:
SIR: 1t is known to you that have been re-
quested by the Government Of the Republic Of
Mexico, which represent here in the Commission
Of Mexican and American claims, to make some
Inquiries with regard to the school sytem adopted
in this country and to the progress it has at
tanned in public instruction.
1 am happy to acknowledge that, to very
very great extent, it Is owing TO your kind assist
ance that may consider my self as already some
what advanced in my inquiries concerning this
subject.
But with as favorable an opportunity as that
afforded by the National Convention Of School
Superintendents, and other persons interested IN
the cause of educati0n which is at present hold
ing its sessions in Washington, should not feel
as having done full justice TO subject so pre-
eminently important, If 1 should not make an
effort to further extend my Investigations, and
to direct them more particularly to certain points,
concerning which they are not yet fully CON-
pleted.
Win you, therefore, permit me to ask, as par
tcular favor, that you will make yourself the
addressing myself to the gentlemen representing
the different States and Territories Of this Union,
begging Of them that, provided it should not
cause too great an inconvenience, they would be
pleased to indicate to me, and thereby to enable
me TO procure those publications by the aid Of
which Il will be possible for me TO ascertain
!. What is the course Of studies and methods
adopted in the primary schools of the various
States and Territories represented in the e0nTen-
2 To what extent has "obiect teaching been
developed in those schools?
8. What are the normal institutions out Of
which they receive their teachers and professors,
or by what means is this corps Of public teachers
recruited?
beg that you will, in my name, assure the gen.
tlemen members of the convention that whatever
Information their kindness apd their interest in
favor of human progress will induce them to
communicate, Will be received as special favor.
With renewed expressions Of my sincerest
gard, / have the honor to remain, very respect
FULLY, your obedient servant,
Professor Henry was introduced, and briefly ad-
dressed the department, expressing regrets at not
being able to attend tine sessions of the depart.
ment. He invited the members to visit the Smith
sOnian Institution Friday morning.
The department then adjourned to meet at
Richmond, Va, August, 1876, after which the
members, with their ladies, proceeded to the resi-
dence Of
EX-GOVERNOR SHEPHERD,
corner Connecticut avenue and X street.
On reaching the residence Of Governor Shep-
herd they were ushered into the parlor, where the
Governor and his lady, Secretary DelanO, Com
missioners Dennison, Ketchem and Phelps re-
ceived the visitors After this ceremony the Wis
itors were entertained for an hour or more in
social converse, after which they invite into
the dining room, where q sumptuous banquet was
spread, and in Governor Shepherds whOle-souled
style they were urged to help themselves.
Mrs. Gov. Shepherd was untiring in her efforts
10 make her guests enjoy themselves, and also
the Governor, who made the occasion Of the most
pleasant character. After an hour or more had
been consumed around the board, the visitors re-
turned to the parlOr, where they babe the Gov
eTnor and his lady adieu, and departed.
Among those present were Ex-Governor H. ID.
Cooke, Rev. J. Vaughn Lewis, Prof. Hilgard, A.
r. Spoford, DR.. Gallaudet, Prof. Chickering.
W. W. Curtis, H. \. willard and Hon. Z. A,
HaTmer.
IMPROVEMENTS.
NeU RuiIdinps nm New YORK; Gveuue