The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-07-06

was conveyed by the outline presented
on the board.
There have been and still exist two
great parties, one favoring the Centrali-
cation of power. and the other advoca-
ting State Rights. Different names
have been applied to them, and many
side issues have grown out Of these two
great divisions.
No time being left for discussion the
Association adjourned 20 meet at 1-15
2. NJ.
Financial business detained us for q
few moments after the time for opening
the afternoon session, and at the formal
opening one member objected to being
particularly addressed in regard to
these financial matters, but returned to
his formal Iuiescent state upon being in
formed that no offense was intended.
Mr. Maggie read paper on School FIX
animation, which will be published en-
tire. Some remarks were called forth
by the ideas advanced.
Mr.. Barns related his system of exam
nations, and disagreed with the writer
OF the paper in regard to frequency Of
examinations.
hTr. Kirwan agreed in the main points
but had different theories respecting
other ideas advanced. He Thought #
the time for writing was limited it might
increase avidity, bat at the final exanlina-
tons the slow ones should be INDUCED.
He believed that often dishonesty was
practiced in examinations and temptation
should be removed.
Mr.. E1agg conducted an exercise iii
Arithmetic, subject Ratio. The re-
markable feature Of this exercise was the
exceeding brilliancy displayed by the
pupils of the class, their chief aim being
to try to show the teacher that the ratio
OF what they thought they knew to
what he was striving to teach 5hem was
All infinitesimal fraction. The fact was
that he PERSISTED in clingin9 to text
books and they had discarded them COM
pletely.
Intermission Of fifteen minutes
Miss Sheldon selected as the subject
Of her exercise, Comparison of Adjec-
tives, which she handled quite skillfully
considering the minds with which she
had to deal.
The remaining time Mr. Viebahn de-
voted to the subject, What should be
taught and what should not be taught in
country schools. He first divided know
ledge into two classes, useful and useless,
the former he further classifies as de-
sirable, more desirable and most de
sirable. Illustrative of useless know
ledge, the number Of words in book,
&c. Those teaching in country schools
must first determine what IS useless and
taught in country schools because they
are the fashion. OF the teacher happened
to fancy them. illustrates lis follows:-
s'There is q carpenter living i'll this
town, well to do and happy. He has
we'll behaved family and cams enough to
support it. The ruan Is quite reader,
has few books except the bible and his
childreu's school He is prac-
teal and Intelligent voter. He has
heard of the prominent men, does not
believe the coming president will deter
mine the price of wheat. He does not
understand the Constitution in all it's
workings. He studied Grammar one term
does not understand the technicalities Of
the subject, however he can write an
intelligent letter, and when at town
meeting, he knows the proper way
things should be conducted. p"
1t were well if every person in the U.
S. was as Intelligent, but at the present
rate Of Improvement this cannot be &C
complished in hundred years. The
first aim should be to make the average
citizen Intelligent. Ask any of the COM
mon people what benefit is received from
the study Of Grammar, dates in History,
&c, Or Geography. Are they all ignor
ant men Descriptive Geography is
especially unproductive, also Algebra,
although one of the best studies, it is
foolish to introduce it into country
schools. They, tho pupils, should be
taught n knowledge of objects around,
not however, as o science, facts in re-
gard to man and nature. Those
branches which are necessary to COM
municate knowledge of things around
should be taught. A book OF thirty
pages would cover all that is necessary
to know In regard to the human body.
A little instruction in Political Geogra-
ply and History. They need not know
all the minutia of law-making, and to
be an Intelligent voter one does not need
to learn more than one fifth of the Con
stitution. Much of Arithmetic is OF
no value, and only the necessary parts
should be taught. Much more that was
good was said on the subject, which we
are unable to get IN proper form from
the notes taken.
Some remarks were made in regard to
the election. of officers. but, as the Con
situation had mysteriously disappeared,
no one knew the time for change in
the administration.
A vote Of thanks was rendered to Mr.
Hosea Barns for the able manner in
which he had conducted the educational
column.
A committee of three, viz; hIessrs.
Barnes, Kirwan and Walker, were APP