New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-12
NATIONAL EDUCATION.
THE MEETING AT WASHINGTON.
EMINENT PUBLIC MEN TAKE PART-YTsTERDAY'S
THEMEs-AS INTERESTING SESSION IN VIEW.
lBT TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE Department Of
Superintendent Of the National Education Association
met IN this city to-day with fair attendance, including
representatives from Massachusetts, Connecticut. New
York, New-Jersey Pennsylvania Maryland South Caro-
Ina Georgia District OF Columbia. Ohio Kentucky H.
DIANA Kansas, Virginia and West Virginia. The Hon. j.
/. Wickersham, OF Pennsylvania, presided.
The Presdento OF the Department presented his views
respecting the necessity OF having the educational in
terest OF the United states represented at the Paris TX
position necessity which is tue greater from the fact
that there was proper representation Phil
adoIphia last year. He thought effort should
be made 10 present the ideas OF American educa-
ton' uniformly connding to each State and
city special department, thus at once covering
the whole Union, aud bringing into view n complete
hbton OF all our methods and appliances Of education
supervision, courses OF study. primary, graded and
higher instruction, special schools buildings furniture
etc. He thought OF the Government Commissioners
should be appointed With reference his qualifications
and ability To represent the educational interests Of the
country, and that proporonae amount OF the Govern
ment appropriation be devoted to this purpose. Unless
these objects could be secured and respectable reIresen
taton Of American education thuS insured. he in
favor OF making attempt.
committee appointed TO consider the subject and
take such action 10 the desired ends as may be
found practicable.
The discussion Of the sixth topic, " The Best School
Organization OF State" opened by the Hon. John
Hancock OF Ohio, who advocated a uniGcation OF the
different state systems which widely dissm-
liar. He favored Board OF Education for each State
state superintendent elected by and ponsIbe this
board; and County superintendents also to be
appointed by the Board and he would also give
the same board power to regulate the appointment Of
any city superintendent. In ONO tho entire admins
raton school affairs il directly in the hands OF the
people. He feared that in the country districts the
schools generally are retrogadlng; such certainly
the ease IN Ohio.
The discussion was continued by Me5srs Pendeton, Of
Virginia Wickersham, OF Pennsylvania. Apgar OF New
Jersey Gilmour, Of York, Lennon Of Kansas, orr,
Of Georgia and others
Considerable diversity OF opinion was developed. par
tcuarly respecting the questions OF local tax
/ alton and the mode Of appointing or elect
ing school officers. several gentlemen deprecated
plan which made necessary tor candidate TO seek the
office first in nominating convention, and next in po-
ltcal canvass while others thought that unless man
Possesses decided political opinions he viii hardly have
decided convictions regarding educational interests.
The subject was finally referred a committee, with di-
rectlons 10 report q, this meeting
Senator Burnside, the Hon Geo B. Loring, OF Massa-
chIsotts the Hon. Edward Wiet. Of Michigan DE-.
Henry Barnard and the Hon. John Hitz ConsuGeneral
OF Switzerland, were introduced and briefly addressed
the department Or. Lorng contrasted the Old
academies Of his district with the high schools
there now to the great disadvantage Of the
latter, and desired 10 know what the trouble
was. He said that his predecessor in Congress
had held competitive examination Of young men % se-
lect "a candidate for West Point or the twenty ex-
amncd, most all OF them had been educated
in the public schools; ono passed the
preliminary examination, and he was rejected
when examined for admission to the Academy
A second competition resulted in finding only one in =
class ~ twelve applicants wno was able o pass the eN-
animation al the ACADEMY aud he was " conditioned"
M. Hancock of OHIO, Thought ne might ce as an Of
+f. .f,4r
Point candidate. from Cincinnati who were educated at
the public schools there had without exception, passed
Mr.. Wlets. OF Michigan. said the public schools Of his
state Were lot AL they should be- Too much money, b.
said, had been spent Tor three and four story school
houses, which made Zine show, but IRE neither con-
yeueut or heahiu He thought too many studies are
pursued and that the school Textbooks have been inn
proved TOO much" that the task Of the scholar has
become ulep0riz r her than understandings: there ia
/ 700 little development OF the mind, too much commit
ting OF forms and phrases TO memory. He Thought TIE
BY request Dr. Lorae viii present his views graded
At the evening sessioi General Eaton. Commissioner
Of Education, delivered an interesting historical addr IS
cation" After referring 10 the recommendations and ac
uon Oh Nl.7ol ,lo'' DC, a '' IN
| struggles "a Congress between 1928 and 1915 70
| have tho net proceeds o. tho public lands
49, apa-t for educat on under the lead ~ Gay Johnson
aud others, he gave statement Of what the Govern
Territories, and WHAT has done bg the states them
selves under the direct impulse Oh the G0Eernmeat II
7sjI77 93 III money have been gwen outright; included
in the latter are the cost OF the Military Acadeiny
~ west Point So sol 4-2 3D. 90 Juue 80. ISL, and
! Of the Naval Academy ar Annapolis S3,1l~.-~O SO To
limo 30 SIC more than S3OOOOOD were expended by
fbe Government for cOored through the Freed
mans Bureau. 100000 acres ~ land have been given
flr agricultural colleges etc Tho address was repete
! with interest and Information
The subject was discussed by Mr.. Orr OF Georgia. He
referred To the los, VI properly account OF tile war
In sol ne said the taxable property Of the suite was
5000 OGO 900: the close of the war 10 was $4,000.
600. now DC rs 54-OuUJUOO. lie spoke OF the lOss OF
life Ina the war. and the number OF orphans. or the
new school population i1LOOo are coored children,
/ number nearly equal TO the white school population
! We are determined 20 meet this prOpien,' he sa'd
and DO eyeuhanded justice 10 every class ana race oil
| men among rs. ,,
! He was followed by Mr. Wickersham Of Pennsylvania
Mr. Orr added that hc desired especially % HdOre the
contained several pills that have been M
froducrd IN Coueross Tor the distribution OF Government
ain ON the basis of lte-ucy lie reported that, IN 1870
forty voters OF every 100 IN Georgia, could not READ
their ballots aud OF children between ten aud eight
cen fort ytrce out OF every 100 could not read or We
Mr. Punbrck Of Massachusetts, spoke ~ favor OF he
! General Government rendering aid to public education
by setting apart the net proceeds Of the public auds Tor
that purpose He favor OF the distribution on the
| basis OF leracy.
| speech in favor OF the Distribution -
Dr. Lorng, OF Massachusetts. Mr. henderson, OF hen-
| lucky, and others, took part IN the dscussloh'
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