National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-29
Second DAYS Session.

Second Days Session.
VISIT TO SECRETARY DELANo.
The Department of Superintendent met at
Commissioner Eston's office yesterday at $3.50 a.
m. and, after viewing the many interesting
objects in the Educational Department building,
they proceeded to the Interior Department, where
they were received by Secretary DeIano.
REMARKS OF SUPERINTENDENT WILSON.
Superintendent ]. y. Wilson introduced the
delegates, and said:
"MR. SEcRET The Department Of Super
intendence of Education is now holding conyen-
tiOn in this city to discuss educational subjects oil
Importance. They are pleased this morning to
call to pay their respects to you as the head Of
They regard that bureau and its chief officer
their head and look to it for advice, and go TO 1t
for the best experience Of the country, in order
that they may avoid evils and secure Dement'S.
We have TO thank you for the courtesy which you
have invariably extended to the bureau. The
head of the bureau informs us that on all occa-
siopg YOU have exercised the power and authority
vested in you with the greatest liberality."
RESPONSE OF SECRETARY DELANo.
Secretary DelanO responded as follows:
Il am very glad to meet You, gentlemen, and
TO learn that your interest in the work OF educa-
ton still continues. l DO not ascribe to myself
much credit Tor what is being accomplished by
ne bureau connected with the Department under
charge of General Eaton. What l have done has
generally been suggested by that efficient Oficer,
interested in the success OF its operations. think
l may avail myself Of this occasion TO say that
every year adds to the evidences of the value OF
the operations of the bureau. Will also remark
that the condition Of affairs in many OF the states
under the observation of this bureau furnishes
abundant evidence Of the proprlety OF It's Organi
zation and the necessity for its continuance. As
l have said 10 you on former occasions, the sue
ress of reDubIfcsn institutions, where suffrage is
universal, must depend upon intelligence; not the
intelligence the few but the intelligence of the
masses. and you will comprehend me when l
say that there are sections OF the country where
it is extremely difficult TO diiHse this knowledge
and intelligence: and certainly without your CO.
operation and assistance can we effect the diSsem
inatUn OF such intelligence in the localities to
which al!ude as is necessary Tor the welfare oil
our institutions.
y am very glad to meet you all again on this
returning anniversary OF your LAHORE, and l hope
that myself or some one better able to assist in
The work you have in hand, will always be found
here 10 cooperate with you"
At the conclusion Of the Secretary's remarks,
a general conversation enSued; after which they
preceded to Wizards hall, where the depart
ment was called TO order By Supt. Wilson. Rev.
}. q. Butler offered prayer.
ORIGIN OF THE ALPHABET.
The first business transacted was an exhibition
of the origin Ofthe alphabet, by Prof. A. EnthOef
Ter OF the United States Coast Survey.
Prof EnthCefer had prepared drawings of the
different letters Of the alphabet, each of which
he explained. They were divided in monographs
and sub-mOnOgrams, and simple plans by which
a child could learn the alphabet with but little
difficulty.
The origin OF the GlplaDeL, ne Claimed, was
from the organ Of speech. The open mouth for
the vOwels: the closed mouth for the mutes; the
teeth for the dentals; the tongue for the labial
sounds, and the palate for the palatlals.
THE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION.
Hon. ]. p. Wiekersham, State Superintendent
Of Public Instruction OF Pennsylvania, was next
introduced, and read paper on American edu-
cation at the Centennial Exposition"
He said much had transpired lately to encour-
age the friends of the Centennial, the managers
had realized considerable money for it, and Con-
gress would no doubt supply the balance needed
Foreign countries have begun to make arrange
ments for exhibiting their manufactures, &c., and
from all directions the most encouraging news
came. He next gave the dimensions Of the nee
essary building in course Of erection and the
probable cost OF the same. What remained TO be
done was proper representation OF the school
interest in the Exposition. Failure would bring
heavy censure on the heads Of those in authority.
The American schOOl-houses attracted more at
tentiOn at the Vienna Exposition than anything
else. And proper place and ample room will be
set apart for the material Of education at the
Centennial Exposition. Ali that relates to edu-
cation should be prepared and placed on exhibit
ton. 1t would require large amount Of money,
but it must be done. The Commissioner of Edu-
cation should be put in charge of this labor he
is the proper person, and his appointment as
chief commissioner would be concurred in. He
should have full power to act without restraint,
and an appropriation for this purpose should be
obtained from Congress. The States interested
m this work would provide their own funds, and
the Exposition should be full and fair exhibit
ton Of American education.
He felt that there would no doubt be fair rep
resentOn Of American education that would do
CREDIT TO AMERICA.
He thought Fourth Of July OratiOns on the Cen
tennisl were out Of place. Work was needed and
accord anything the educational cause desired in
the Centennial, and committee should be ap-
pointed to begin at once toward obtaining the
necessary funds for the purpose.
He submitted the following:
RESOLVED, That q committee OF five be appointed
10 act for this body with the authorities of the Cen.
rpunial in DPrfecting a Dlan for the
seltation Of the educational interests of the
try at the approaching National Exposition at
Philadelphia.
VOICE PROM AUSTRIA.
General Eaton approved oGthe remarks Of Prof
Wickersham, and thought the suggestions thrown
out were what was needed. He introduced Baron
Won SchBaTeZ SRnbOrn, minister resident of the
Austro- Hungarian Government who said he
felt hOnoTed in being called upon by those en-
gagged in so noble work, for he regarded the
teachers missionaries. What was wanted to
make ;he Exposition a success was money, and he
hoped the coming one would be grand success
They were of great benefit, and he had no doubt
but in 1875 not only would many foreigners come
over TO learn what is being done in this country,
but citizens Of the different States would for the
first time see the products Of the whole country
Baron Sanborn had charge of the educational de-
paTtment of Vienna, and uttered many encourage
ing words to the gentlemen Of the department.
VIEWS OF OTHER MEMBERS.
Mr.. Hopkins, State superintendent of Indiana,
said his State had already begun to make ar
engagements for being represented in the Centen-
NAL He favored the resolution.
DIR. NorthrOp briefly conceded with the views Of
Baron Won SchwaTeZ Sanborn. He thought the
exposition would help reconstruction and unidca-
ton in the United States.
Mr. John d. Philbrick, ex-superintendent OF
public schools Boston, favored doing all that was
possible to have American education represented
at the Exposition. He representative Centen-
NAL Exposition as a universal competitive exami-
nation. Here the handiwOrk OF all nations would
be seen, and each would endeaYor to excel the
ether. He related his experience at the Vienna
EVUOEitiOQ. and EXPRESSED his belief that the
hibitiOn Of American education surpassed that OF
any other country. 1t was so superior that he
spoke Of it with the greatest pride. The school
houses Of the country are the glory of Ameri-
cans. He hoped the wise words Of Baron San
born would 20 over the entire country and be ap-
preeiated by the American people
Rev. Mr.. Harold strongly opposed the appoint
ment OF a committee, but thought this body
should 20 to Congress and ask aid In behalf Of
the object. More notice would be taken Of them
than committee.
AMERICAN TASTES.
Baron Sanborn said he would not give the ex-
perienc gained by him at the Vienna Exposition
for thousands Of dollars. He considered the
Vienna Exposition to him as an object of teach
ing which 90 impressed him that it could never be
forgotten. 1t was better than all the books that
could be written. 1t charges the brain and
creates deep impression. He thought the
tastes Of Austrians and Americans were entirely
different. American refined tastes were perfectly
awful.
IOWA INTERESTED.
Col. A Abernethy, State superintendent Of
Iowa, stated that the educators Of his state were
deeply interested in the Centennial, and his peo-
pie were anxious to know how they could present
the matter at Philadelphia in order that lair
statement Of education in Iowa might be given.
Mr. A. p. Marble, superintendent Of schools,
Worcester, Haas, advocated the adoption Of the
resolution.
The resolution was then put on its passage and
adopted.
LETTERS OF REGRET.
Letters were read from J. w. Simous, State
superintendent OF New Hampshire. Hon. John
Fraser Of Topeka, Kansas; Hon. Mr.. White, Of
Massachusetts: Hon. Warren Johnson Maine;
Hon. MT. Smart, Indiana; Thomas B. StOckwell,
Rhode Island; a. Parrish, New Haven; Hon. S.
n. Smart, Ohio; Hon. ur. Eta, Illinois; Mr.. Nc