The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-12-18
EDUCATIONAL.

turned on Saturday from Washington
City, where he, with President PENDLE-
TON, represented the State OF West Vir-
ginis in an important Educational Con-
vention. This convention was COM
posed of only the most distinguished
educators of the land. 1t met on Tues
day morning, December 1lth, and re-
msined in session three days, holding
two sittlngs each day. On Monday
evening preceding the opening OF the
regular proceedings, the members were
treated with lecture from Secretary of
the Navy THOMPSON, on the 'Origin and
Influence of the English Language"
Over twenty States were represented
in the Educational Convention, extend
ing from Massachusetts on the East to
Colorado on the West, aud from Michi-
gan on the North TO Georgia on the
South.
Some of these States had but one rep
resentative, others two and some three,
making in all sn assembly OF from forty
to fifty leading educators connected with
the common school systems of the sew
eral States.
Some members of Congress and other
officials, from time TO time, were presen'
at its sessions and freely participated IN
the discussions. Among these might be
named General BURNSIDE, DR.. LoRING,
of Massachusetts, General EATON, Mr..
HITz, Consul General of Switzerland,
&c and upon one occasion the Conven-
tion was honored by visit from PresI-
dent HAYES.
The more formal papers read before
the Convention were by General EATON,
on "W nat has been done by the general
government in aid OF education" by Dr.
LoRING, of Massachusetts, on the "Scopo
of common school education" and a
lecture by DR.. RUNKLE President of the
Boston School OF Technology on his
speciality.
The question whether this country
ought to make an exhibit of its school
work at the Paris Exhibition, in 1918
drew forth considerable discussion.
1t was thought wise to attempt the
exhibit only upon certain eoDditionsi
provided, first, that q fair equitable pro-
portion OF the moneys appropriated by
Congress, could be obtained for this
purpose. And provided, second, that
oae OF the special commissioners to have
charge OF this part of the exhibit should
be school man, in whom the educators
of the county would have confidence.
Unless these two conditions existed 1t
WAS claimed it would be better to make
no effort in that direction. Some com
petent person, identified with the work
and interested in it's success ful exhibit,
would be needed at the head OF it TO so
shape the effort tina. it would be COM
pete as u whole.
Another subject that engaged the at
tenton of the convention WAS the ode
sign and result of the common school
work" The discussion was carried on
with irankaess and candOr. There was
no disposition to evsde the issues raised,
bat every man was required to give
reas on for the faith that was in him.
1t was admitted that the focal light
OF public criticism was brought to bear
upon the practical working Of the
pubic school systems throughout the
country. 1t was agreed moreover
that it was right that this should be so,
and that the system should stand or fall,
according as its work meets the just ex
pectation OF the country. As Gen. GAR
FIELD put it, the great case has been
called, the case of "Br&ins as, Biick and
Mortar" and verdict wi! be rendered
according to the equities of the case.
More especially, in this connection, was
the propriety of pushing the "High
School" organizations called in ques
ton, although no formulated pro
test against them was entered.
The lecture of DR.. RUEKLE, Of Boston
on Technology, accompanied with illIs-
,rations of the skill of the pupils in the
different kinds of handicrstt, was very
instructive.
The pupils of the school are taken
through a regular academic course, and
while prosecuting their studies are IN
structed, during certain hours OF the day,
in the use of tools used in
various kinds of skilled labor.
so that when they complete their
course they are not required to serve an
apprenticeship to certain trades, but are
prepared to do journeyman's work
ready at once to 60 into the active abors
of life.
Examples were given of young men
who had gone out from the school, en-
gagged directly in skilled labor, and rose
rapidly in the confidence of proprietoTs
and in relative position.
Such an enterprise in connection with
the schools of this or any other msnufsc-
turing atty would be Of immense advan-
tsge to our young men, who expect to
engage in mechanical pursuits.
The best system of education for q
State.n called forth anlte 8 variety Of