Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-04-06

law that p1rc,lfs who did not send their chill
dren should be sent 20 the whipping post =
Mr. f. J. Williams on Best method OF secGr-
ing Attendance" said the teachers task is a
and child, enilelvor to infuse his own enthu-
siasm into the pupil, and through it to the pa
rent 4 desire to know something it has never
known before, and to DO something it has never
DONE exists in the mind Of every child, and
should Ae encouraged. Children will sacrifice
their plans % win the teachers smile En-
deayor to bend an train, not to break the win
Of the child Interchange of views On last
two subjects. Mr. Ba;kus waniel to know
where the public for whose benefit they came
to the hall-Appeal to these empty ben ches-
'E3ho answers "a ere. It has been said that
"the hand that rocks the cradle rocks the
world many such hands here. Lycur-
GUS, when asked how he governed the Spar
tans, replied that he governed the boys, the
boys their mothers, and the mothers their hus
bluds. lie fearel it vas no. 81 with the
Teachers here to-day. lie thought there
was no hope Of reaching this matter through
the legislature This is free country toe
free in some respects. 4 great deal depends
upon the tcacher-reach the hearts of the pa
rents through the children, if possible.
5Ir. Deck advocated compulsory attendance
Lycursus said children are the property Of the
Sate-ihey ought - be educated by it, Il
the Legislature has power to tax the people tc
day for schools it has the power to compe
attendance
Mr. McFadon thoughththe parents solemn
daiy to educate their children-a esponsbiity
they can not ignore
Mr.. Qligley: Though ii is said "an i'll,
brain is the devils workshop yet it Is an
in,uitiye principle that the law has no right
to invade the sacred precincts Of the family
an empire where the father is sovereign, and
say where the child shall be sent There wa;
q hllacy 10 Mr. Decks argument. Two
wrongs do not make right Mr.. Deck-did
not consider taxation for public schools a
wrong. Mr.. Q igley xplains-many do think
so, and would consider themselves doubly
wronged by law for compulsory attendance
Mr. Ba;kus The Legislature is only delegated
to act in accordance with the majority Of The
people Mr. Latirner thought it would do NJ
good 10 discuss the right or wrong Of this
/ question-should coufino ourselves to the best
way Of getting over the difficulty. Non-at
tendance is almost the only thing that hurt,
school organization; does DOT believe any State
will pass law for compulsory attendance
Yoicei-several of the Northern States have
Mr.. Latimer-knew Cities had, was not aware
State laws hal been passed Mr Bragoaisr
advocated the passage Of such law 10 strong
terms Mr.. Wainright Had gone to schoo
whore such q law had been In force, and il
worked well The duty Of the legislature /:
10 promote the welfare Of the State. and thai
is 10 be obtained by educating and Ciyilizlng
lie male "a eloquent speech on the subject
lie though, niue-tenths Of the criminals dealt
with by law had never been to school.
Miss OLpuShlin read with expression and
feeling Holds beautiful poem, TIE Bridge Of
Signs" after which the question Should
Vocal Masic be introduced into our Schools
how and to what extent? ?" was discussed. Dir.
Lltimar thought it good thing-ii he could
sing; it would have a good effect on the chill
lFeu it would help to overcome the difficulty
in attendance With an exception or two all
the teachers were without cultivated voices and
incapable Of Introducing the " harmony Of
sweet sounds into their schools. Mr. Nc
Falen confessed 10 10 music 10 his SOUL
though we know him to be unfit for
Treason, stratagems and spoils"
Mr. Blckus never coniessng to incapaciiy tes-
titled TO a little base singing by himself The
ladies' did not speak to the subject,-wc all
know that with them music is unborn. ~ the
afternoon Mr.. Quiglcy gave a shor; disserta-
ton on Analysis Of Sentences, illustrated by
the board. aud the remainder Of the session
was occupied by the Address of Mr.. Davies.
We are indebted to Mr.. John Hess, County
Superintendent Of Schools, for the following
complete list Of the members OF the Jefferson
County Teachers Institute -"
WHITE TEACHERS.
Boiicar District
NJ. 4. Duke, :. W hightner, J. P. Hess, Miss
Y. 0Loughliu aud Miss NJ. Strder.
Ciarlcsfoten Di.trici
o. Knott, B. w. Cooke ". W. Cockrill, Mr'. c.
G.. uaiues, aud Miss +. V. Miller
EdrFers Ferry District.
Rev. J. A. McFaden, J. r. johnson, j. i.
Brooks and Miss \. Cross
KO5ieto,rH District
G. II. c. Backus, 7. y. Hill, c. NJ. Miller, and
Yrs. O. Schonkee.
Nidiieiroy District.
Rev. G. A. Long, J. \. Shirley. 7. b. Bean,
F. T. Homer, Miss l. B. kesrney, and Miss n.
Barnes.
Potomac District.
T. W Lo,imer, J. Quigley, f. r. Turner, ". r.
Craighil and II. osborn.
Shepherd District.
K. c. Bragonier, W. NJ. Deck, G. N. Knott, and
Miss a. RidenoGr.
30 White Teachers-sl Schools
COLOKED TEACHERS.