Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-04-13
From the Charlestewn Spirit
TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

TEACHERS INSTITUTE
The session of the Jefferson county
Teachers Institute, which was continu'
Cd throo,h last week and concluded on
Er;5.v has been of most interesting
character.
On Monday morning Mr.. ]. P. Hess
gave a very practical illustration Of
"The Best Method Of Teaching Pen
manship, and was followed by sugges-
tions on methods of teaching writing,
by Messrs. Long, Latimer, Backus and
others. Miss Ida b. Kearney, read a
most interesting aud entertaining Essay
on "Climate, or Physical Geography"
and the remainder of the morning ses-
sion was consumed in discussion. A
creditable paper on "Drill in Ar;thme-
tic" was read in the afternoon, by Mr..
w. w. Cockrill, and remarks Oh lnter-
est, including partial payments, were
made by Mr.. #. NJ Beall, after which
the remainder of the days session was
proftahly occupied with other matters
An illustration of his method OF drill
ING in common fractions was given by
Mr.. c. NJ. Miller, on Tuesday morning'
after which the time assigned Mr.. b.
w. Cooke 10 the programme (that gen,
tlemau excusing himself) was consumed
III a very interesting discussion 0,
decimal fractions by Mr.. Lightner and
others. An excellent Essay on "Pro,
tessioual Teaching, and the Professional
Teacher" was read by MIR. Jno. y.
Knott. ard a discussion of the question
of drilling beginners on elementary
sounds, ensued. Mr.. w. P. Craighill
illustrated his method of square and
cube roots on the board in the afternoon,
and NJ. Backus followed in an illustra-
tla,ion, with the globe, of "Mathemati-
cal Geography" the interim until ad,
iournment being occupied in genial
discussion of the subjects.
W. NJ. Deck gave drill in Mensu-
ration on Wednesday morning, and was
followed by Mr.. T. w. Latimer in an
able argument on its Importance. A
GOOD Essay on "The Best Way OF Be-
curing the Cooperation of Parents was
delivered by Mr.. E. r. Turner, and a
discussion of the question ensued. Inc
Rev. NJ. NJ. Morrill,, of Storer College,
being present, complied with request
10 make a few remarks. physical
Geography" was well handled by MIR.
Latimer ia the afternoon, Mr. Osborn
following him with an essay. A spirited
discussion on defamation, in which Mr.
Lightner took prominent ard most
humorous part, took up the remainder
OF the days session.
Thursday morning motion was car
rcd to invite VIM. L. Wilson, Esq, to
deliver an address before the Institute.
The question SHOULD Attendance on
Schools be Compulsory" was argued
afiir.nstively by Mr.. Jno. r. johnson,
and Mr. Z. J. Williams made some
lointed re,narks on the ''Best Method
of Securing Attendance" Mr. Deck
spoke in favor ofcompulsors attendance,
arguing upon the principal OF equal
power on ti,e part of the State to levy
school taxes and compel attendance.
Mr.. McT:den looked upon the educa-
ton Of children as solemn duty de-
~nlving upon parents, and one that
shonld not be ignored. Mr. Qugley
took strong grounds in opposition to
compulsory attendance. Tie regarded
the home circle as All empire, where the
father reigned as emperor, and no pow
er had the right to step in and say that
a child should be sent here or there
Mr.. Baekus supposed the Legislature
would only act i'll concurrence Win the
.iews of the majority Of the people OF
the State. Mr. Latilner did not deem
IL worth while to discuss the question
at all, as it did not appear to be strictly
within the province OF the institute.
The course pursued by teachers had o
great deal to DO with the attendance OF
pupils. Mr. Bragouier argued strongly
III favor of such law. The State ex-
etoised the right to go into the house
hold and take its members from the
frcside to perform military and other
duties, and if it had that right, 1t had
the equal right to demand that they
shorld be educated. Ignorance begets
vice aud vice begets crime, and IN the
end the State has to punish criminals
for what is the result of non education.
He thought far better that the State
should prevent crime by compelling at
tendance upon schools, that its people
may be enlightened. Mr., wainwright
favored such a law, and advocated his
views in eloquent terms. Hoods beau
titul poep,. "The Bridge of Sighs,' was
read ia al expressive manner by Miss
OLoughiin, after which the question,
"Shouid Vocal Music be introduced into
our Schools, how and 10 what extent,
was discussed in a pleasant manner by
Alcssrs. Latimer, McFaden and others.
The early part of the afternoon session
was taken up with short discussion
upon The analysis of Sentences, by
Mir Quigley, aud the remainder occupi-
ed in an address by Mr.. Charles Davies.
Mr. Davies said that he did not ex-
pect to deliver lecture, but would only
say few words in regard to what he
deemed kindred objects of the Institute.
As friend of education he favored
public schools. His principal points of
argument were that in the acquisition
OF knowledge We cannot be two dis
eliminating; we should cultivate genial
literature; cultivate all the faculties of
the heart; literature is the emanation OF
the emotions and feelings of the heart;
religion is the love of God and Of your
o;,,;1;1ot;np litorafnrp and