Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-12-31
THE EDUCATORS.


Public Schools-General Matters Rela-
tive to Advancing school Teaching-.
Resolutions of Thanks.
The morning session of the association
was called to order by President Smith at
9o'clock. After.a song by Prof, Priem's
glee club prayer was offered by Rev.
MEG. Dana.
Prof w. H. Priem was then intro
duced and read an interesting paper on
"Vocal Music in Our Public Schools"
making an eloquent appeal for the in
PRODUCTION of music into the schools of
the State, saving that man is distin
guished from the inferior parts of erea-
ton by the divine gift of reason, but, of
all the various arts he is
qualified to prosecute, no one
appears more congenial to, no one more
intimately interviewer with the constitu-
ton of his fame, than music. Let
music with healing on its wings, enter
through ten thousand avenues the pater-
mel dwelling; let it mingle with religion,
with labor, with the innocent enjoyment
of life; let it not longer be regarded as
merely the ornament of the rich; let it
continue to adorn the abodes of wealth,
hut also let it light up with gladness
the honest heart of poverty.
And so as time passes away and one race
succeeds another the true object of our
system of public education may be re-
allied, and we may year after year raise
up good citizens in the commonwealth
by sending forth from our schools happy,
useful, we'll instructed, contented mem
bers of society
Discussion on this subject was led by
President Smith, followed by Prof. Frost,
efStillwater, and Prof Baker, of st. Paul,
all speaking fayorably of vocal culture in
our schools as an EXCISE that would
conduce more to the improvement of pu-
,rniis than most others; as a means of re-
finement the result is apparent.
Prof j. T. Marvin, of the Minneapolis
academy, then read paper on the ne
eessity of supervision over our schools.
The superintendent of the schools in q
county should be taken from the plane of
p9litics, and if enough compensation was
offered the right m:in could be secured;
If counties are too sparsely settled to
afford adequate compensation, combine
them; if we cannot find such a man,
thoroughly educated, import him. Super
intendents must do more WORKOUT the
harness on their own shoulders and show
inexperienced teachers how to do the
work.
Supt. J. w Hancock, Goodhue, agreed
mainly with the points brought out by
Prof Marvin. A comparison was drawn
between the schools of to-day and We olden
times; the old time schools probably did
not need a superintendent, but to-day it
Is different; teaching is a delicate and
arduous profession, and supervision is
necessary; it should be guided and have
system and order Speaking on the
theme SO often brought up during the
session, the employment of young and
inexperienced teachers, the speaker said
in the districts having only two or three
month terms, ii was impossible to employ
high priced and experienced teachers,
andswe have to take the best timber OBJ
tainable, and here was the work of
supervision and instruction SO necessary
from county superintendent--th learn
ing these teachers.
Prof. Neils. of Olinsted county, spoke
in favor of the graduates of our normal
schools he had never noticed any ssairs''
in them; on the contrary, he always
found them ready and willing to CO.
operate with him in everything proposed,
aud always willing to accept advice. He
also spoke of superintendent visiting
aiming the school himself the superin-
tendent should allow the teacher to con-
duct the exercises and then judge for
himself of the progress made during the
term.
4 motion was then made and adopted
to limit the discussion of the subject
to five minutes. and remarks were made
by Prof Knerr, Prof Davidson, Super
intendent Burt, Mr.. Tuttle, Mr.. Rey-
nolds. Mr. Kiehle and Miss Burne Hen
nepin county.
A motion was made and carried that
the whole matter be referred to COM
mittee, which was carried
After music Prof Knerr made motion
that all principals present meet at 1:30 to
discuss the advisability of forming a
superintendent association, inviting all
friends of higher education to be present
Prof. Moore moved that the secretary
send greeting to the State. associations of
Wisconsin and Iowa, which were now in
session, which was carried unanimously
The president then appointed as the
committee asked for Messrs. Chandler, ST.
Cloud; Greer, Wabashaw, and futile, of
Wabashaw county.
to be present, Prof Gilbert spoke on his
subject, that of instruction in govern
mental ideas, eloqwently advocating the
idea, holding that schools are not objects
of charity, but after getting through with
the elementary branches shall the schools
teach the ideas of civil government
Everybody says yes. Pupils should un-
derstand them; then they will know how
TO vote and how to act if elected to office.
If this idea had been carried into effect
fifty years ago we would not now have so
much foolish legislation. Where can it
he done? 1t can be done in high schools,
normal schools, and even district schools.
When it IS done we shall have a bet
ter class of citizens graduating from
our public schools. How many of cur
pupils know the meaning of the names
Of the Presidential electors under the
names of the candidates on the ballots
When this is introduced into the public
schools then our scholars, when they
arrive at the voting stage, will know what
they are doing and what they are voting
for
Prof. Moore, of Mower county, thought
a good way to teach the ideas of govern
ment to scholars was the example set. by
Lake City, where the teachers and
scholars have started reading room in a
small way, political and educational pa
pers being kept on file, the result being
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