The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1877-07-06


Only the essentials of science
those are usually termed the elements.
Our text books are tso volumnious for
this work. They should be very small,
and tell how to make simple and eostless
apparatus for illustrating the essentials
of science. Studies must be given which
will exercise the pupils ingenuity.
Kansas abounds with natural facilities
for scientific study, but grave difficulties,
sucn as want Of money, irregular attend
ance, educational apathy of parents, pelit-
ical demagogues, etc., beset US. We must
not crowd the advanced sciences into our
schools; she essentials must reign. Want
OF means ought to be no great obstacle.
To succeed in teaching these elements,
teachers must have real, not theoreti.
cal education, and, that teachers may thus
qualify themselves, why not open to them
each summer the laboratories OF the State5
If the proper steps are taken, We hope,
before long, to see the elements Of the
sciences introduced into all the schools Of
our State.
Discussion same-Prof. Speer, Junction
City. 1 approve of what has just been
said, and think an outline Of the work in
the sciences should be prepared for the
institute this summer. Institute work
must be confined to the common branches.
Most of our pupils are under ten years Of
age, and 1 would recommend 9 science
system something like that Prof. Harris
has introduced IN st. Louis. hope to see
the elements introduced.
Prime. B. T. Davis, Chetopa. I think
they ought to be introduced into the low
er graces. There is growing sentiment
among parents in their favor. Much of
the danger Of light reading will be avoided
ii children are early interested in natural
objects. The study should be simplined,
not placi & the hardest frat.
Supt. Wheeler, Ottawa: A few years
ago visited LeaVenworth to learn what
could In regard to their excellent schools.
One of the primary teachers was giving
lessons on birds, from card-pictures. The
pupils manifested great interest, and 1
liked the plan well enough to try to intro
duce it. But had no pictures. Pretty
soon one of the boys caught a bird there
it; many compositions were written about
it. 1 suppose they killed 1t talking ABOUT
it. Arrangements with q pupil to skin
and stuff birds were now made, and since
tn at time no less than 175 birds have been
placed in our museum at Ottawa, TO-
gether with several mammalia. What
has been done in zoology here, can be
as easily accomplished ia the other scien-
ces. Adjourned.
Noon recess.
THURSDAY, 2 p. N.
Questions as to charter officers, bylaws,
ETC., arose, and on motion of Prof. 81. d.
were referred to a committee
of Hon. A. Al. f. Randolph, ex.
Supt. McVicar and Supt. Lennon. The
seemed to think these questions
should be left to the board of Directors Of
the Association. Their report was adopt
ed. Next followed
Paper ords''-Hon. A. n. r. Ran
dOlph, Burlington.
This was an excellent paper and was
we'll received. The topics treated were
SO numerous and brief, and the pointed
and witty illustrations so various, that it
would be impossible to make an abstract
that would do anything like justice to the
paper. 1t related great many anecdotes
Of the eminent men Of the past, how slowly |
many Of them wrote, the books they stud
led, their manners towards Others and
The kind Of language they used. As the |
paper was almost entirely literary In its |
and as any attempt Tn give it |
n outline would destroy Its force and
Of the Association In pamph- |
let form, copies of which can soon be OBJ
aimed of supt. Lennon, Topeka,
Paper-Our Common Schools-Ex.
State Supt. p. McVicar, Topeka,
The Spartans cultivated their children |
or military glory and prowess. Our fore
,athers founded their ideas of government |
IN true virtue. The early schools OF our |
country were objects OF great solicitude,
md Washington supported his idea Of
government upon the education and in |
diligence Of the people, knowing that IS |
We elevate the people, we elevate our /
tate and country. Virtuous and lnteIli- |
.ent soldiers. thinking bsyonets, are al
Ways the best. One object OF education /
s the development Of our resources. The /
I'll Of Pennsylvania Is enriching the world, /
The common school Ii to stimulate the /
atent talent that lies sleeping, 70 develop |
he best minds, that, In turn, are to deVel.
- the great resources.
When Virginia spends SI2 for educa-
ion, Connecticut spends $50; the average
Of e. ~ II.
Individual In Connecticut, $685.. The
question Is often asKed. show can our
COMMON schools be made more Instrumen.
al in giving proper education" The
question is not easily answered. at the
nd Of each yexr, in large part of the
districts Of the State, there 10 Q chronic
che for q new teacher to ''put the child.
en- back" at the commencement Of the
ext year. Teachers learn afler awhile ii
he nature OF children, and can control
he most peculiar Of them. DiI ectofs sell
om note this fact, and hence the profess
ion is one Of continual change. Let In
ucemsnts be held cut 70 teachers to stay
With the district; get the beat and keep
HEM County Snperintendents should be
etained as long as they are developing in
heir work. City schools surpass country
ehooIs because there is more eoneentrs-
on Of effort. Petty ieaIousies often des-
roy unity OF purpose in district schools;
here is lack DEGRADATION, supervision and /,
eneraI interest; the consequence IL lg-
ORANGE and vice prevail. &c secure
lore concentration Of effort, in all the
lore thickIy settled portions, districts
ught to unite into graded schools. Thei 4
Ider portions Of tbs State are already :
ding this. Pestalozzl has said: .'sEyhst-
Vef is to appear in the State, must bel
ut into the SCHOOL, Physioiogy should 4
e one among the first OF studies, for upon !
le development and health Of body and
md depends our progress IN all the {
her branches Of knowledge. Good man.
era, ssthe saying Of the kindest things IN
lie kindest words,s' should be an early