The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-01-20
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDUCATIONAL MEETING.

an EduCdIioHdl ineetlHp az MellOu D
Chapel in the evening; it being the
first meeting of the kind held here
since Mr.. Wade's days of Superin-
tendency and general school work,
which did so much for the advance
ment Of the free school system in
Monongalia county.
At an early hour Of the evening
the people began to assemble, and
the house was soon well filled by an
attentive audience eager to hear the
subject of education discussed.
Although the weather was unfa-
vorable there were those who came
from far, among them Prof A. L.
Wade, that stalwart advocate Of pop
ular education, Miss Lizzie Holyfield,
teacher at Sarvers and A. G.. Wood,
who is teaching at Easton. Besides
the teachers already mentioned, there
were present w. E. Lanham, j. G.
German and w. H. Rude. After a
song by the class conducted by Miss
Asenith Peterson, and devotional ex
ercises by A. l.. Wade, an organiza-
ton was effected by electing f. Break
iron President, and Miss Lizzie Holy
field and J. G. German Correspond
ing Secretaries.
After another song the President
addressed the assembly in brief
speech, in which he showed the ne
cessity of education. His remarks
were well received.
Supt. Morgan was next introduced
to the audience and spoke at consid
cradle length on the work done in
our public schools. He discovered
in his first years work of visiting
schools that a great deal of time was
wasted in the methods Of teaching
some of the branches, especially spell
ing, which was for the most part oral.
He urged upon the teachers at that
time the necessity of teaching written
spelling, in order to give their pupils
a practical knowledge of the subject,
and SO far as he had gone this year,
he found that the plan was generally
adopted. He also discussed the sub
ject Of school houses and school APP
paratus, and pointed out many de-
fects, which should receive the atten-
ton of the proper authorities. He
further spoke Of the praeticability of
teachers using blank form, for the
purpose of grading and classifying
their pupils, which is to be left with
the Secretary of the Board of Educa
ton Of each district, who will re-dis-
tribute the blanks to the teachers Of
the respective schools Oh opening
the following year This is certainly
step Of the greatest Importance in
school work, as it entirely disposes
of that time wasting and perplexing
difficulty, with teachers taking
charge of strange school, of find
ing just where each pupil should be
gin his studies.
Prof Morgan did not fail to notice
the subject of music in our schools,
and remarked the effect it had already
produced in the schools in which it
had been introduced. In conclusion
he showed that the main essential in
school work is live energetic teachers.
And in order to retain these in the
profession we must pay them suffi-
GENTLY for their services.
Prof. Morgan's speech was clear
and pointed, and produced a good
effect upon all his hearers. He was
followed by Prof. A. L. Wade, who
spoke upon education in general, en-
phasizing, as he proceeded to notice
briefly the subject of grading schools;
teachers blanks; the proper time to
| begin to learn to write, which was as
soon as the child began to read; and
the use of newspapers in schools.
He closed by giving some interest
ing and instructive experiments in
natural philosophy, and showed how
teachers could instruct their schools
in natural sciences, without loss of
time from their regular studies.
When Mr. Wade resumed his seat,
the floor was occupied in turn by
some of the lesser lights, who took
exceptions to his method Of teaching
spelling, which was by discarding
the spelling book entirely, and using
only the works contained in the
graded readers, and referring all
'chance" words to the dictionary.
! Hereupon q discussion ensued, which
was finally ended by each participant
being deeper grounded in his opinion
than ever before.
Mr.. L. Hagedorn was next called
upon, who spoke very pointedly on
the progress of education. He was
followed by J. L. Summers on the sub
ject of morals and manners, when
and where to be taught DC.
Addresses were also made by w.
Peterson, M. Muse, W. H. Rude and
A. G. Wood, who gave leaf Of his
experience.
After song and announcement of
teachers institute to be held at
Woodland, Morgan district on the
9th of January, the meeting ad-
journed. }. q. q.
Cor. Sec'y.
PROGRAMME FOR MORGAN