The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-01-06
MEETING OF THE STATE TEACH:
FRS, ASSOCIATION.


Pursuant to notice the semi-anEual
meeting of the State Teachers Associa
tion, convened in Madison, Tuesday
evening Dec. 28th, in the Senate
Chamber Of the Capitol building. The
first exercise was valuable and Inter-
esting paper by Mr.. Thayer Of River
Falls Normal School. on the Proper |
distribution OF Institutes" he showed
In forcible manner the Importance and
necessity of institutes, and their connec-
ton with the Normal Schools of the
State. In some paris of the State the
attendance on these institutes Is good,
while in other PARTS they are sadly
neglected. The inexperienced teachers
and the very best teachers-those who
are thoroughly Interested in their work,
are always present, while many of those
who have had considerable experience
in teaching do MT attend. We can
veil dispense with this class Of tnstruc-
tors, and substitute fer them shose who
are more enthusiastic in their work and
who are not content with sheir present
attachments but are constantly striving
toward something higher.
A report strongly recommending free
text books" was presented by Mr.. I. E.
Williams. The report provoked consid-
cradle discussion. The educators of the
State are not yet fully agreed as to the
ACCESSIBILITY of such plan. 8 report
favoring the adoption Of township
librarie was read by I. N. Stewart
The State to give aid to any town which
shall raise d certain amount OF moCey for
such purpose. A full and detailed plan
for the management OF such libraries,
and for the selection and purchase of
books was presented.
Among the several papers read, per-
haps none were listened to with more
attention, nor did any create more Gis-
custom, than that presented by Prof. A.
O. Wright of Fox Lake. on "thc need Of
Academies in our Educational System.
The paper gave many good reasons for
the existence of academies as intermedi-
ate schools, or preparatory schools for
the college proper, and showed conclu
sively that our high schools are not
fulfilling and can not fulfill this func-
ton. Among The many who participant
ed in the discussion we may mention the
names of Pres. Bascom Of the State
University. Pres. Chaplin of Beloit Col
lege, Prof. Cornwall and Messrs. Marsh,
Smith. Wright, Shaw, McAllister, VIM
chelI, Reynolds and Chandler
An Interesting paper was also pres
ented by Supt. Soaring on "a State
System of Supervision" and another by
Prof. Robert Graham on the Functions
of Common and Parochial Schools.
The subject Of larger State School Tax,
in place of the present system of local
taxation, was also discussed at length,
and upon no subject were the members
OF the convention more unanimous.
The closing exercises occurred Thurs lay
evening" at which time valuable ond
suggestive paper was read by r. w.
Burton Of Janesville, on the subject
%sProvisions" The leading thought of
the essay was the need Of a better op-
portunity on the part Of teachers for the
study Of the natural sciences. The pa
per was received with great favor, and
committee was appointed o take into
consideration the feasibility of establish
ing school OF Natural Science in the
State.
The report of committee on "National
Centennial was presented by Prof. G..
S. AIbee. This of course is but a mea-
ger and imperfect outline of The work
done. Suffice it to say that the meeting
was both pleasant and profitable. The
schools of the State must be benefited by
such mutual conference and interchange
of views The next meeting OF the
Association will be held In Milwaukee
on the fourth, fifth and sixth DAYS of
July next.
THE JOURNAL 1876.