The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-09-22

subjects and methods of teaching, after
the style of already established "Teach-
ers Institutes" but for the practical
training of inexperiens ID teachers in the
details of the teachers work by actual
drill-not to impart knowledge on the
subjects to be taught, except incidentally
but to train the teachers by regular drill
in the art of teaching. This expedient
earnestly commended to the Legislature
for their adoption in 1873. At the same
time inserted provision for it in the
draft Of the school law which was then
submitted. But the plan was new and
| could not be present to explain 1t when
the bill was taken up, and probably from
being misunderstood or confounded with
the existing organization called "Teach-
ers Institutes" it was stricken out. 1t
was, however, generously taken up by
DR.. B. Sears, Gen'l Agent OF the Peabody
Fund, and by means of an appropriation
made by HIM specifically for its support
it has been partially tried under the ad-
miristration OF Superintendent Byrne,
OF the result, he says: ut is believed
that no branch of our school service pro-
duced more beneficial results for the
amount OF money expended, than was
realized from these institutes:
When the Teachers Normal Institute
was first organized, / prepared at the
request of Superintendent Byrne, the de-
tailed instructions tor conducting them,
which were furnished TO the educators
employed in their management and L
am eratified to find that in his report, ne
expressed as the result of his experience
the conviction that 'the surest means OF
obtaining tolerably qualified teachers in
any reasonable time, is to adopt the plan
which have suggested l am aware
that some have expressed the fear that
the "Teachers' Normal Institutes will
interfere with the Normal Schools, and
hence, they may have inferred that l am
not friendly to them. But the very re-
verse will be true. They will strengthen
and enlarge the interest in the
normal schools and all institutions tor
higher instructions. They are intended
to reach in short, direct, practical and
efficient way, the three or four thou
sand primary teachers who never can be
reached in any other way; but of whom,
many perhaps will be inspired by the
taste of higher culture which these IN
stitutes will give them, to seek the still
higher instruction provided for them
in the normal schools, and so in
the end, these institutes will foster
a professional. spirit among the pri-
mary teachers, that will excite tie
more emulous to enter the normal
schools, and thus steadily build up and
accomplish a class of instructors of
higher grade than we now have. We
feel assured therefore, that every large
minded man will at once see, that the pri-
mary schools will be directly benefited
and that the normal schools, and largely
through these, the colleges also, will be
fed and nourished by these institutes;
and agree with me that the enlightened
friend of one must be the earnest support
CIR of all.
Need | say further, that l should deem
il treacherous diShonor to seek the
SUPPLEMENTARY of any public interest
to which ! know myself to be unfriendly,
or even Indifferent. Nothing short OF
an earnest concern for the efficient DIS
charge of its duties can justify me in
seeking any Office of public trust and it
was in this spirit that in my letter OF
acceptance ofthis nomination of the Char
lesion Convention, said: Should it be
the pleasure of the people to elect
me, ! can only promise to bring TO their
service such fitness rs thirty.tive years
of experience has given me, and to de-
vote it faithfully and with my best
energies to the fuller efficiency and per
lection of our admirable system of free
schools; and as l know no higher secular
service than an educator can render to
his state, snail accept the charge with
u grateful sense, both OF the honor and
duty which it imposes on me-"
In the address which | delivered on
the oath ult. before the Centennial Com
mission at Philadelphia, on the growth,
progress and resources of West Virginia,
it was with peculiar pride that L could
point to the vigorous and noble work
which she is doing for.popular education;
and desire to assure my fellow citizens
of all parties, that should they honor me
with the State superintendent of Free
Schools, | shall enter upon the duty of
the office with the sincerest earnestness
for its efficiency and the fullest confidence
in its worth.
Very respectfully,
w. X. PENDLEToN.