National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-06

taking tho new census some plan be suggested
to obtain moro reliable reports as to education.
Mr.. Harris remarked that the present census
does not show truly the amount Of illiteraoy.
Large MS Is the number of illiterates reported
IL Is below the truth. A person asked if they
can read replies yes If he can spell out his
name merely. People dislike to confess their
ignorance, and local officers dislike to report
the ignorance Of their neighborhoods The
census taken by the States is peculiarly open
to this criticism. The United States have a
better method.
Messrs. Hancock, Of Ohio; Harris, Of Mis-
souii, and j. o. Wilson, of the District of Col
umbia, were appointed committee to confer
with General Eaton in relation to the cduca-
tional schedule Of the United States census.
Invitations were received TO visit the Gov
eminent Printing Office, TO witness the work.
ing of tlio machines of the Fine Book Printing
Company of Philadelphia for sowing books
aud from Miss S. Pollock, to visit her kinder
gartcn sch DOL.
The convention then adjourned
THE EVENING SESSION,
which was largely attended by outsiders, in.
Guiding many ladies, was held in the church
room. President Hayes was present aud &C.
CAPPED seat on the platform.
Judge Strong, of the United States Supreme
Court, read a paper on instruction in Govern
mental Ideas" which contained much valua-
BILE information.
Professor Walter Smith, art director of Mas
sachusetts, submitted lengthy .paper on
Drawing in its Relation to Industries"
Mr.. Philbrick, of Boston, will address the
convention on Education at the Paris EXPOSE
ton at its morning session to-day.
At 1880 o'clock the convention will adjourn
and the members will proceed in body to pay
their respects TO President Hayes.
Meeting of Public school Teachers.
A meeting of all the teachers of the public
schools was held yesterday afternoon, ut $3.50
o'clock. in the Congregational Church. Super
intendent Wilson presided. Professor Walter
SIN it'll, ant director, of Massachusetts,, addressed
the meeting on drawing how 1t should BE-
taught, &c. He favored the kindergarten sys
tom. 1t is the most humane, and is based upon
the fact that nature teaches through our senses.
In primary schools, he said, the pupils should
be taught mercifully aud not crammed with
large doses. The wrong way to teach is to in
sst upon too much instruction when the chill
dren are young; to be too word perfect.
The more the originality of the pupils is in
dulged the better. Do not expect great accu-
| racy or too much work from the primary
schools. In the grammar schools the instruc
| ton should be detailed, the standard raised
and new ideas introduced. Scientific ant
| free.hand drawing should be taught ut the
same time. Develop the originality of tn,
pupils by allowing them TO draw original de
signs. The most original feature in the edu
cation Of the public schools of to-day is TIN
practice of original designing. In the hgt
schools ornamental designing should be devel-
oped. The great element of success is to teacl
moderately and slowly. The best results ar
obtained by being patient with the scholars
| The industrial epoch in the United States la
yet to come. 1t will come to pass, at no in
definite period, that not to know how to draw
will cause Il blush upon the cheek as not t
know how to read does at the present time.
DIR. Philbrick, Superintendent of Publ
Schools of Boston, also addressed the meetin
on our school exhi bit at the Paris Exposition
He congratulated the Washington schools o
the distinguished honor they acquired. The
were the subject of very great commcndatio
| at the Exposition.