West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1881-11-30
WEST VIRGINIA FREEMAN.
FROM WHEELING.
Notes on the superintendent
Convention and Institute,
with Side Notes.
BY A SUPERINTENDENT

ne COuNcutloll VI county ana
City superintendent, called by the
State Superintendent, met last
week in the room of the Supreme
Court, at the capitol.
About thirty Superintendents
were present. Two important re-
suits were reached:
1st The Convention recommend
ed number of much-needed chan
ges in the school law of the State,
and appointed a committee to bring
their recommendations before the
Legislature.
These changes contemplate an in
crease in the salaries of County Su-
perintendents, together with a large
extension Of their duties and pow
ers, so that they must devote their
whole time to the work, and be alb
solutely accountable for the condi-
ton of the Schools. Should the
recommendations be adopted by the
Legislature, the schools of the State
would be shortly revolutionized and
be made vastly more worthy and
efficient.
I'd. By special invitation, ex-
Supt. J. H. Smart, Of Indiana, spent
a day in the Convention, directing
and assisting the superintendent
in stating clearly the difficulties
and hindrances to their work under
the present law, and reaching con-
illusions as to the best way of rem
dering the work ofsupervision effec-
tive under existing conditions.
This elected great difference of
opinion, but before the discussion
closed upon any point, the Conven-
ton was practically unanimous in
its conclusions.
We think the result Of this days
work will be ito unity the work of
the Superintendent, give them
new and better ideas Of the methods
of experimenting, and make them
more effective officers.
THE INSTITUTE.
In connection with the Conven-
ton, but in the Hall of the House
of Delegates, was held a most excel
lent Teachers Institute, which
drew a very large attendance.
Supt. De. Graf, of Paterson, New
Jersey, was the chief Instructor in
the Institute, but he was ably assis-
ted by ex-Supt. A, L. Wade, of
West Virginia, ex-Supt. J. H.
Smart, of Indiana, ex-Supt. J. }.
Burns, of Ohio, and Supt. John
B. Peaslee, of Cincinnati.
Mr.. De Graft is an admirable in
structor, and if he would confne
his work within half it's present
limits, as to time and number of
subjects, and quit his habit Of un-
dervaluing all West Virginia
schools, asserting repeatedly that
one remark Of his, properly needed,
would "revolutionize every school
in the city of Wheeling and the
State of West Virginia." he would
be well nigh a model.
THANKSGIVING SERMON.
By special arrangement, and up
on their own invitation, the Con-
and Institute adjourned on
at II a. M, to hear
sermon in the hall Of the House Of
Delegates from Rev. ]. B. Milford,
Pastor of the First Baptist Church
Of Wheeling The text was "Other
men labored and We have entered
into their labors." The sermon
was scholarly, eloquent, and power
'ul, and admirably adapted to the
occasion.
WHEELING FEMALE COLLEGE.
While in the city we were de-
ightfully entertained at the Wheel
ng Female College. And right
lere we want to say that we have
never seen a young ladies' school
which seemed to us to beconducted
% nationally and intelligently.
Miss Taylor does not preside over
penitentiary or house of correc-
ion, but over noble, sensible, sue
essful young ladies' college. She