The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-08-16

the people on the OCner, we can see Out
one termination TO such q state of af
fairs.
.THENoRMAL SCHOOL IN THE NATION
AL EDUCATION CONVENTION.
Prof. Phelps the other day took part in
the National Educational Convention,
which met in the city of Minneapolis.
and was composed of delegates from all
parts of the United States. Prof.
Phelps delivered an essay on the COM
mon schools, the purport of which was
that they were very small potatoes, and
very much diseased potatoes at that, and
that the true object of society, the real
heart and centre of the universal crea-
ton was the Normal Schools, as illus
trated in the person of Prof. Phelps.
This attempt to subordinate the inter
ests of the republic, as represented in
the common schools, to a mere incident
of education, the special training OF
teachers, provoked lively debate, in
which it became apparent that the emil
nent educators present would not SUBJ
NIT to the pretensions Of Prof. Phelps
and his caste of learned ignoramuses.
We quote a few extracts:
| COUNTRY SCHOOLS.
The discussion of Prof. Phelps essay on
| country schools was then taken up.
| Mr. Rolf; had listened with interest to Prof
Phelps address, and appreciated what he said
about township organization and normal
schools in the future but saw no reason for the
alarm that we shall go to ruin, in the mean
time. He meets gentlemen every day promi-
nent, and good men. who went to schools
that would be pronounced by Prof. Phelps a.
poor, and who were taught by teachers who
would be pronounced utterly unfit to teach.
He knew men who could not read even who
were just as good men and could cast a vote
just as good as any one in the audience.
Prof. Cornwall said ii q Tan is we'll edu-
Gated it don't make much difference where he
gets it. When it comes to the question thai
we mustn't stop for money, it was time to con
slider. That sentiment Uas .chat lead to q
much thieusry Of the public moneys. HI
thought the academic work could b. done a
less expense than in the normal schools
that twenty academies could do in six month.
what the normal schools do, and reach more
and do il fully as we'll In compiling facts
concerning public men he found that seven ou
Of every ten had been educefed in the countr,
schools. He thought normal schools should b,
held to do normal work and leave a,ademi,
work alone. He believed that in a republic thu
matter Of education should be voluntary. HI
believed the New England academy should b
given natural life.
I Rev. A. D. Roe, of the Albion Academy, be
lieved in the academy, and that they had worl
. to do, and dissented from Prof. Phelps tina
through the Normal systems alone teacher
should be permitted to accept schools withou
! being subj ote1 to competitive examinations
The system OF education is not compr~s.e led il
9 any one set Of men. If we have only Norma
schools, they wonld run continually in rui
While we ask the Normal schools to send us al
: the teachers they can, We want our colleges
universities, and academies to do the same, an
7 we will select the most capable. But more tina
: anything else We need careful superintendsnc
p if we would raise their standard. Time is de
. mAnded.
\ DR.. Allyn, thought Prof Phelps paper need
= ed slight protest or modification. He though
> it was an error to fall into saying that man
4 not educated If he is not educated in til
Y schools. We should not cast a STAR on Il
country schools though they he not what the
h should be. Careful Superintendent would d
= much. He knew country schools where boy
learned more in four months than man, in b
e cla1 1t college did in year. There is lots
q education that Is better sometimes than COLES
!. education. These same country schools O.
4 nave been deprecated, do make the maiori
:. Of the best men in this country He believe
- the bestteachers could be made in the norm
II schools, but didn't believe they had been ye
3, He believed that some OF these normal pun
l. have . sort Of profession sect and become cas-
n iron men, just good for nothing.
u Mr.. Cruitshank thought the district scho
- system in the paper Of Prof Phelps had BIZ
y too severely arr.igned. The history of schoe
c in New York should be suiicient answer 70 thj
,e He elaborated the system Of development
ut the district school system, with town hi,
"a schools, with its tributary district schools.
% Mr.. Crosby, Of Iowa. regretted that the par
Rad not been discussed when rad. ThOua
the case had been stated strongly, he believ,
: the author had felt the necessity Of 50 dom
he The normal schools Of Iowa aimed to ansv
o. the objection to the schools, that they did n
lie reach the people, by holding normal ins
nj tutes through the state for four months Of t
:. wear. II the nor raj schools have not accoa
- rlishsd their work why continue to estabf
&c and maintain them
til Mr.. Andrews thought il sad sight to
Id ssoa satsgonism betspeea NE aor~at aad O
III side scAooIs Either we are opposed to
:. work or else they are not doing the work
" Was not opposed to normal schools, and wish
ne there vas more Of them, hut when teachers
st. the normal schools tell N that It l. absosst
he esse.sisl 10 b educated - TIE sovnsl scAeo1s
d. esueA, b4ns4 ~ u n,
!; !: !