Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-06-16
Discussion Of the Alumni.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE I4th.


Subject: "Should the State furnish
sratuitous instruction in the higher
branches?"
The discussion was opened in the
affirmative by Prof. Henry. of Cape
Girardeau. The Professor did not ad-
vocate the establishment ofhigh schools
everywhere, but only in communities
where the culture and attainments of
the citizens demanded it.
He was followed by Prof. Warner,
ostensibly in the negative, but who re-
ally took exactly the same position as
his predecessor; but he did good deed
in pointing out the evils which follow
from grasping after a smattering Of the
higher studies, while We neglect the
solid foundation of good, deep, thor
iough knowledge in the common branch
es. He was followed by Prof. Carol
who took a decided position in favor of
the affirmative, and sketched an out
line of an ideal system of high schools
which consisted of township high
schools, subordinate to county high
schools, and these IN turn tributary to
the State Normal Schools, and these
to the State Universities.
Prof., of Bethany, in one Of the
most vigorous. efforts of the evening,
denounced in unsparing terms,
those teachers who in their ambition to
dub their school with the title of college,
high school etc. attempt to teach
branches of which they know little, for
which their pupils are unprepared. and
for which no provision has been made
in the equipment of the school.
f.! As soon as he closed, the affirmative
chamDions-to use a school boys
pfrase--"piled onto the negative three
deep;" and Profs. Barnard, Ford, and
others. were in the front of the battle
before the affirmative could rally. As
soon, however, as the dead and wound
ed were removed, Prof Matlick, of
California, came into the arena on the
side of those who were weakest in num-
Der, and his remarks were full of good
common sense, and plain, practical
truths.
Prof. w. R. Holloway, in speech
of about three minutes drew a picture
Of a shoddy high school, and the eager
haste of parents 10 push their children
through these essential studies in Or
der that they may have time TO play
with these college branches.
Prof. Henry in behalf of the affirm
alive closed the discussion by moving
an adjournment.
The Annual Address, delivered at
night. by DR.. Fisher ofthe State Uni
versity, was llsteped to with marked at
tention by vast audience, The adj
dress was thoughtful earnest and schol-
arly. II was an appeal to teachers to
awake to a full sense OF the dignity
importance and responsibility of their
calling. The orator adorned his ad.
dress with no flowers of rhetoric. but his
address was rich in illustrations drawn
from historical and classical sources,
and never did we listen to an orator
who surpassed him in pure English,
and IN clearness of articulation. Every
word, yes even the most trifing
syllable, fell from his lips clear distinct.
and as sharply defined in sound as a
marble statue comes from the chisel
of the sculptor, shorn of no power, but
expressing to the ear all that the
word could convey.
The Annual Commencement exer-
cises begin to-day, during which the
diplomas will be given to the members
Of the graduating class, and certificates
to the monthly undergraduate who have
passed the state examination. The
Annual Reunion will be held to. night.
The remainder of the proceedings
will be concludedin our next issue.