Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-28

and he predicted time when the graded
system would be q great success.
Superintendent German, of Stearns
|, county, was not in favor of applying the
graded system in all of the country
schools; there was great deal to be ac
complished before the graded system
could be carried into the frontier counties,
he thought that there should be no differ
ence of opinion as to the wisdom of the
graded system where the circumstances
would permit.
Superintendent Kiehle thought q gem
eral state system should be considered;
that is it feasibility, as recommended by
intelligent instructors, to be applied and
adopted as circumstances permit.
The idea of any difnite system should
come as an expanding and growing convic-
ton; such a conviction, if rightly followed,
would grow with each successive year; if
the schools were aot ready for a graded
system, still it would be good plan to
keep the subject before the meetings.; the
graded system was discussed last year and
now this; next year it should be taken up
again, aud by and by the ideal would be
appropriated.
Mr.. A. E. Engstrom expressed himself as
glad to see the subject discussed so gener-
ally. He spoke of the work in Goodhue
county, and did not think the graded sys-
tenn should be forced upon the schools.
He thought the graded plan was good
idea, and that it should be applied gradu-
ally as circumstances called for.
Supt. Hudson, of Grant county, was of
the opinion that enough had been said to
warrant that some action be taken; it was
not necessary that each superintendent
moved retail his experience. The speaker
would that the convention proceed to take
definite action.
Supt. Smith stated that he wanted it
understood that he was not present to
have his plan or system pushed down the
throat of the convention. He wanted moth
hing done that would not rebound to the
benefit of the glorious free school of the
state.
On motion of Superintendent Greer, a
committee consisting of superintendent
Smith, Levens and Sanders was appointed
to consider and report on some system of
graded work for the scholars.
INSTITUTE WORK.
Prof. j. T. Gray, institute instructor at
st. Cloud, was then called upon to address
the convention on the subject of his
specially. He thought that institute work
looked towards organized effort;
it was self-evident that more
institute wo1k was needed.
The value of the institute as an education
al force was already well understood; they
were great power in building up the
school system; well organized plan for
institute work would give great impetus
to educational work.
Superintendent Sperry was in favor Of
having the state funds apportioned so as
to permit of an institute once a year in
each of the counties. He moved that the
sentiment of the convention be learned by
motion.
Superintendent Kiehle, made an address
on the subject during which he called at
| tention to the necessity of an appropria-
| ton by which to conduct the work.
Superintendent Coming then addressed
the convention on the subject of the ire
lation of the normal schools to the COM
mon school work"
He thought the application for teacher
ship when backed by normal school Ger
tifcate was big thing in favor of the can
didate; it showed an honest desire and am
bition on the part of the candidate to be-
come successful teacher.
The work of a public instructor re-
quired special instruction; he did not be-
lieve in the charge that the normal school
teachers were not moro successful than
others; he denied the charge which was
unfair and unwarranted; he believed that
the normal schools were seeking the re-
quirements of the common schools, and
doing their utmost to meet them; he be-
lieved that teachers should be so trained
that educational work would make great
and material advancement. He closed
with an earnest plea for deeper interest in
normal school work.
Pertinent remarks were made by Super
intendent Rowe, of Washington county,
and Superintendent Wright. The former,
particularly, expressed himself as most
emphatically in favor of the normal school
training, which he thought was doing noble
service in the work of qualifying people
for the good work of teaching.
Prof. Miles, of Rochester, followed with
an earnest plea in behalf of the system
which he thought should be encouraged by
every legitimate means.
President Shepard, of Winona, congrat-
ulated the county superintend-
ents on the unanimity of sentiment
regarding the normal school work, in
whose hands he thought the normal school
work was perfectly safe. He thought
those engaged in the work of education
could ask for no higher mission than that
offered in tho advancement of normal
school work.
Superintendent Greer, of Wabashaw
county, put several pertinent questions, in
reply to one of which President Shepard
stated that at least 1000 new teachers were
required each year in the state of Mime
sofa. As to the matter of salary he said
that would be fixed according as the repu-
tation of teacher rose as an instructor.
Prof. Gray spoke of the cosntant de-
mand for teachers and he also adverted
to the question of salaries and to the
desire of nearly all to seek positions in
the graded schools of the cities for the
reason that better salaries and superior
social advantages were offered.
Prof. Miles spoke on the same subject.
Supt. LeYens addressed the meeting on
the subject of having teachers take all the
instruction possible at the normal schools.
afternoon Session.
The convention reassembled at o'clock,
yhen Prof Rochester of Minneapolis, was