Daily globe., 1879-12-07
SAINT SUNDAY GLOBE J. 49,
EDUCATIONAL.

y. =. " EDUCATIONAL. s,...
A Red Hot Discussion on the subject Of vol
Subjects-Tho Minnesota State Educa-
tional Association. ~ s........5.> .-'
The large attendance at the public school
teachers meeting, yesterday, in view of the
inclement werther, should not pass without
commentator. An attendance upon these
monthly meetings is not obligatory, but
few teachers, however. are ever absent,
taking as they do a lively interest in the en-
tertainment given and instruction impaired.
The regular exercises were commenced with
the following announcements of aT
TEACHERS MEETINGS. |... -
Teachers of seventh and eighth grades, Thurs
day, Dec. II. &." '3|i @ ->"@ ~
Principals meeting, Friday, Dec. 12 's&
Teachers will be paid Tuesday, Dec. %, from
$3.50 to o'clock P. M. s$'=rl = ~ :.
TT TEACHERS s of fifth and sixth grades. Friday,
Teachers of third and fourth grades, Friday,
Jan. l6.
Teachers of first grade, Thursday, Jan. %.
Teachers of second grade Friday, JAM %.
General meeting, Saturday, Jan. "a, at 10
o'clock A. NJ.
Superintendent Wright made a few re-
marks about the closing of the schools for
the holidays. He suggested that the schools
be closed with some appropriate exercise,
both pleasant and instructive. A half hour
or more might be devoted to this exercise,
but as there was to be a principals meeting
this week, when decision would be reached
in the matter.
Following this, Supt. Wright appointed
the following committee, to report at the
next regular meeting:
On Moral instruction Miss Beales, Miss
Tice and Miss Cummings.
A RED HOT DISCUSSION.
The programme exercises were begun by
Prof. Weitbrecht OF the High school,
VINO read a paper upon TIP
subject of volcanoes" In addressing
himself to the theme. Mr.. Weitbrecht ad-
vocated the modern theory of volcanic phe-
nomena, and stated the old theory that the
interior of the earth was in molten state
had been generally abandoned. He
adduced many scientific facts to show
that the latter, Or old theory was untenable,
and held that the phenomena could
be and was accountable solely on
scientific principles, in which the water
of the earth took no little part.
In discussing the subjecs the former
accepted theory was reviewed and shown to
be IN view OF recent experiments to be IN
tenable, or, at least, the volcanic phenomena
could be otherwise accounted for than on the
hypothesis tnat the interior or the earth is in
a molten state.
Prof. Wright queried: II the nebulous
theory O. the earths origin was accepted, the
interior must have been in heated LIQUID
condition; and if solid now, how did the
cooling process come about?''
! Quite little discussion took place between
the two, Profs. Wright and Weitbrecht, the
upshot of which was that Prof. Wright held
that the time had not come to discard the
theory of a molten interior for the earth to
account for volcanic phenomena; at least,
nothing as yet had been adduced to give such
a plausible solution to the question.
| The subject was continued by Prof. Camp
bell, of the High school. He accepted the
latter day theory, that the earth was rigid
mass between the rigidity of glass and steel
The greatest scientist of the age, Sir VIM
Thompson, advocated the theory that the
world was rigid. He said this could be
proved on theory-the super abundant mass
of matter, would, by pressure, cause solidi.
tication. Secondly, he proved it
by fact, and argued mathematically,
from the astronomical fact of the procession
OF the equinoxes, which proved the rigidity
and solidity of the earth. In illustration
Mr.. Campbell said if the interior
were in liquid state there
would be an interior as we'll as an
exterior moon tidal movement in every
twenty -four hours, or, in other words, the
diurneal motion of the moon would
be followed by bulge on the earth's sur.
face, made by the movement of the liquid
interior.
| Mr.. Wedbrecht further illustrates the
subject by alluding to the principles of the
arch in bridge construction. It was well
known that an arch could only be made te
sustain itself under certain circumstances and
if extended beyond this point, the bridge
crumbled of its own weight. Such would
happen to the arch of the earth's surface, il
the interior were liquid.
Gen. Smith-sHands greater than ours
have built and set the bridge up.''
MIR. Wedbrecht- may be, but what
holds good in ordinary science holds equally
good, as has been proved, when applied tc
nature.
Mr.. Donnelly thought if the earth wasn't
rigid before it should be now, after the pres
ent discussion. Laughter To arrive
however, at some conclusion, he moved the
reference to special committee. Laugh
ter.
Supt. Wright-Do you want the earth re-
ferred to special committee? Laughter
With this the discussion ended, and was
followed by report from Prof. Slack on the
subject of
GENERAL LESSONS.
The subject addressed itself with peculiar
interest to the teachers, being in fact the
suggestion of a method by which teaching
might be made easier and more comprehen.
sive to the pupil by taking objects in nature
or in or about the person of the
pupil to illustrate the subjects
taught. Progress in this should
be made in order, and at length Prof. Slack
explained how the order should be establish
ed, and how step by step from simple OBJ
jects to higher ones the pupil should be led.
In accepting the report, Supt. Wright
took occasion to commend the committee
for the care exercised in preparing it, and
the exhaustive and comprehensive sugges-
tions, easy of practice, embraced in it.
The discussion of the report was postponed
until the next regular meeting.
STATE TEACHERS MEETING.
Supt. Wright introduced the subject of
the Teachers State associations convention
which meets in St. Paul on the 29th, 3Oth
and 31st insts. He urged the
teachers to participate in the meeting,
and to extend cordial welcome to the visit
l uhn