Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-27


vention This Evening.
The second annual convention of the
county superintendent of schools of the
state of Minnesota, commenced in Market
hall last night.
The meeting was called to order at 7:3(
o'clock by Mr.. o. M. Lord, the president OF
the association, whereupon Mr.. A. E. Eng
strom. the secretary, proceeded to call the
roll, not more than so per cent. of the
members being in attendance. Those
w. R. Brown, Ortonville; Edwin Rogers
Mankato; o. J. Rollenson, Wegdahl; V. D.
Eddy, Rush City; A. M. Sperry, Wasioja
w. II. Sanders, Alexandria; R. w. Richards
Blue Earth City; John Brady, Preston; G.
W. Levens, Albert Lea; A. E. Engstrom,
Cannon Falls; 7. G. Hodgson, Herman
c. W. Smith, Minneapolis; D. C. Cameron
La Crescent; Thos. Barker, Beaver Bay
j. W. Wright, Litchield; A. Guernon, Lit
tie Falls; L. S. Nelson, Adrian; P. O. Stro-
mine, Ada; F. L. Cook, Rochester; G. F.
Canning, Fergus Falls; P. B. German, St.
Cloud; John Barnes, Long Prairie; d. L.
Roach, Browns Valley; o. NJ. Lord, Min
nesota City; B. F. Wright, st. Paul; Geo.
N. Johnson, Watonwan; Geo. D. Goodrich,
Anoka.
suPT. KIEHLE'S ADDRESS.
The opening address was then delivered
1r-e in%o Of
Prof. D. L. Kiehle, who gave and instruct
i've and interesting address upon the gen.
eral scope of public instruction, the objects
aimed at, the qualifications required of
teachers and the duties of superintendent.
Following is an outline of the salient
features of the address which was heard
with marked attention:
Superintendent of the Counties of Min
nesota: Another year has quickly gone
since your assembling here for mutual
consultation. You bring back to this,
your second meeting, the experience of the
year over this broad state you have been
stationed, and in hamlet and neighbor-
hood you have fostered education by the
various appliances at your command.
The themes of your discussion may have a
sameness in form, but there will be no
lack of freshness in the treatment of them
by men who are continually testing them
by their experience.
The all-absorbing problem is:
1. Good teachers, how to get them and
hOwto keep them.
2. Having good teachers, how to secure
harmony of effort and systematic teach
ers.
Taking up first the question of good
teachers, Sept. Kiehle said our present
plan of examination ought to be improved
with view to determining professional as
well as scholastic ability. Also, with view
to establishing the profession in permanent
cy. How it Wilt important to consider the
feasibility of undertaking graded course
of study for teachers, by the aid Of which
they will be able to reach the highest
standard of qualification.
Next is the matter of tr aiming teachers
by institute instruction. Teachers may be
aided in either one of several Of the de-
partrents of our school system. The i'm
pcftant inquiry is what may be expected
of each that no one may intrude upon
another. How may the state divide the
work with superintendent without ro-
ieving the superintendent of work be-
longing to himself. What place can be
given to institutes, associations nor
NAL and high schools, without allowing
either one to encroach upon the other.
Another thing, has not the time come at
which you should arrange to select pupils
of promise and send them to the normal
schools to be admitted upon your certif-
Gates? This would distribute tho appoint
ments and cause these schools to serve
you by training the teachers whom you
believe would serve you best whom fitted.
It is believed that the opportunities OF
these meetings will give fresh impulse to
your efforts to introduce books and papers
among your teachers.
Having good teachers, there remains
the important work of systematizing the
work and directing the efforts of teachers
for the best results.
Grading county schools is probably the
most difficult, yet the most important. The
possibility of grading these schools, the
best plan to be adopted and how itshall be
undertaken, will constitute one of the most
important discussions of this convention
You will also be interested in acquaint
ing yourselves with the best plans for cal
ling yourselves together in neighborhooe
associations, as will interest them in theil
work.
You will see in my report to the legisla
ture that have recommended an import
ant change in the election of county super
intendendents. The full discussion there
given makes it quite unnecessary here.
regard the county superintendent as essen
tial to our system of popular educa
ton. That it may be protected
from all diverting and corrupting iuflu
ences, and that its efficiency may be in
creased, have, after very general con
sultation with superintendent and others
determined to recommend that these officer
be chosen by those who represent tn
educational interests of the county.
consider this the opportune time to decid
the matter because the officers are of tina
class who will appreciate the importanc
of protecting the position and increasing
its efficiency.
also am in the hope that system o
examinations for state certificates may b
perfected. If this is done in name
oirifb a int