National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-06
PEDAGOGICAL DEBATES.
Matters Discussed by the Superin-
tendents.
The Wants of the National Bureau of Educa-
tion-Needs of Education in the South
More Reliable School Statistics
Wanted for the Census of 1880
"A Paper Read by MI.
Justice Strong, sc.
The Educational Congress.

!
Church yesterday morning at ten o'clock, with
Professor Wickersham in the chair.
The following committees were announced {:
| NJ. A. Newell, of Maryland; w. Il. Harris Mis-
souri,; j. d. Phibrick, Massachusetts; George
j. Luckey, Pennsylvania; J. J. Burns, State
Commissioner Ohio; Mr.. Cover. Michigan,
and G.. j. Orr, Georgia, committee on legisla-
ton. ]. o. Wilson, of the District of Coum-
bia; T. NJ. Marshall West Virginia. Isaac N.
Carleton, Connecticut; l.. IT, During Penn
sylvania, and w. A. Mowry. Rhode Island, ex-
cCutivc committee. w. Y. Birringcr, Of New
Jersey; John Hancock, Ohio; Henry Houck,
Pennsylvania Richard L. Carne, Virginia,
and j. Piper Illinois, committee on resolu
lions S. NJ. II. Hcrn, Of Illinois; L, Smith,
New York, and c. i. Hovey, of the District of
Columbia, committee on invitations.
Superintendent Wilson extended to the con-
vcntion an invitation to visit our public
schools, which was accepted.
WHAT GENERAL EATON WANTS.
General Eaton, United States Commissioner
of Education, read an exhaustive paper on
THE Wants Of the National Bureau of Educa.
tion.n The wants set forth, i'm brief arc rs
follows; An additional clerical force to enable
the Bureau to do the work necessary for its
proper maintenance fit and permanent quar-.
tors, rs the Bureau had moved nine times dur
ing the last five years, entailing much expense
and damage to the department provision in
law for n librarian and a catalogue of library of
10000 volumes and 10000 pamphlets; to publ ish
: more annual reports to publish more reports
to distribute, so that tho bureau may become
better known; for publication of special re-
( ports &C.; for the proper receiving, storing
and wrapping of the office work TO carry on
the exchanges of educational information with
foreign countries; the Superntendonts hearty
cooperation in promoting the work of the
. Bureau aud S51,7i0 for the maintenance of
the department during the next year.
He moved the appointment of committee
to thoroughly investigate this work and to re-
, port to Congress and the country. The chair
) suggested that as n committee ON legislation
had been already raised, 1t would be rs well to
Z refer ii TO that. Colonel DIniels of Virginia,
spoke in favor of special committee to get the
2 bottom facts about the Bureau of Education
Z and spread them before Congress. This insti-
A tuition was misunderstood. Intelligent edu-
Y Gators knew the great value of the work done
# by IL, General Eaton possessed the conf
Q dencc aud esteem of all who knew him
e His services had been marked by the
S high est devotion, energy and ability
e But there was certain kind Of illiteracy
n in Congress rs well rs out of it upon this sub
O iect. In consequence, some denounced the
@ Bureau rs dangerous Capitalization, Others as
4 useless expense, and many were indifferent
o We do not want this bureau, the fruit of years
Y of labor by the best educators Of this country
to he barely tolerated and its usefulness Grip
@ pied by meager appropriations. 1t ought to
:. be provided with the ampest means and
u placed in the front rank of our national insti
@ buttons. 1t ought to be the last point touched
4 by the hand of retrenchment Better abolish
J. the army and navy, West Point, and the Nava
G School than to disable this important factor ii
IL the education of our future citizenship. The
e money wasted on
Q OUR ABSURD DIPLOMATIC sly STEM
a, | in n sinpla voul1 su nDnrt Tho Bureuu yyn
l. for fully dozen years. Can any practical states
If man doubt where the money would tell hes
II on the future Of the country in such u compar
l. ison
The people should be made to understand
v that to collect systematiZe, and diiius
"a knowledge us to the best mode of developin!
l. the latent power for good in 10,0O0,O0O you'll
d is its object. No higher purpose ever sum
4. moncd the intellect and statesmanshp of an,
land TO its aid. To withhold money from sucl
1t a work on the ground of economy is like with
,e holding the seed from tho earth in sprngtimt
a because of its cost. TO allow its claims to be
v oversladowcd by private interests is to com
Ms nit moral treason to the country and SOW witt
le curses the path of future generations. Let u
Dr. have n special committee to prepare the fact
1. rs to this terrible and menacing illiteracy II
n our land. Let them hold it up before Con gres
and tho country in fitting words to arouse al
1. patriots to action and secure prompt and effect
D. i've legislation to give every child the best ed
uCation possible.
The paper was referred to the committee Of
legislation for their report to the convention
s before the final adjournment,
q Mr.. Wilson introduced Senator Window, VIII
made few brief remarks to the convention
He expressed his deepest interest in the w0rI
of the Educational Department. He regarde
n, the school superintendent as generals Sf til
great army, who are combating ignorance AM
-, laying that foundation of intelligence aud Cul
ttt,.. ,ipI, oil fran nd In
y government can rest He appreciated the worl
j, of the National Bureau of Education, aud sal
|. he had done and would continue to do, 0
NJ chairman of his committee, all that was in hi
h., power for the support and encouragement {
~ that Bureau.
rs EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH.
e. DIR. G. j. Orr of Georgia, submitted an es
ed ceedngly interesting aud learned paper o
f. THE Needs of Education in the South"
he gave q full account of the progress of cduci
IS ton in the South. The hindrance to success
Of was not so much the public schools as the wa
If they were engrafted. Another and great hin
2l drance was the presence of so large numbe
l. of persons of African descent. 1t has been bt
level that the people of the South have Ell
NJ tertained feelings of hostility against then
or but this Is great mistake. Tho greatest oil
ne stacle has been their poverty and the want {
q. n proper feeling of advancement and the SLOW
as ness OF adopting innovations. In 1871 I'll
or public. system was commenced and tn
ed number of children taught was $4,000.
;es In 1873, $4,000 children were taught;
"a 1871, lO5, 900; in 1875 1860 in 1876, $4,000
and in 1877, 100000. This was exclusive
,es eleven counties not heard from, which whe
m. footed up made the entire number 10000
m children taught in 1871 of which $1,000 we
lei colored. Mr. Orr stated that he had alwa.
,oi taken the ground of universal education, al
meant to press 1t as long as God would gi'
m him power. The city schools compare iavo
in ably with any in the Union.
IA. Mr.. Harris, of Missouri, being called out
he General Eaton, responded briefly. lie believe
es in local selEgoyernment on local matter
.tv When interests rise above the local brim ~
~ overflow to larger communities, legislatiC
% must become general. The education Of h
oil children is universal interest. Congre
6 should see that it is accomplished eyerywher
I The nation has no guaranty of safety bat
tho education of its children.
ns The income Of all the lands of the natol
Ice or all IL may hereafter acquire, should be S
cIedly set apart for education. The war ma
illiterates. There are more South than Mort
because of the disastrous issue of tho contest
them But the North, AS well as the South, has
I,o common interest in these children. Tho bill nc
'"o before Congress distributes the proceeds of {
public lands among the States in proportion
OF their illitcracy. He approved this bill, al
,SO desires to see it urged strongly by all hien