The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-02-01
OF TEACHERS MEETING

otoio1y, oouuaiy 81, WAS Tie uhy ap-
pointed for meeting of the City Teach
ers' Association (Manitowoc and Two
Rivers.) 1t was designed that this meet
ing should represent the county more
than it is usual in our local meetings.
Friday night the usual accompaniment
of teachers meeting-a storm-put in ap-
pearance, and things looked dubious for
a time. Saturday morning broke bright
and clear however, and by ten o'clock
goodly number of teachers had assem-
bled at the North Side School House.
The meeting was called to order by the
President, Mr.. Young. There were some
matter, of business that deserved atten-
ton. First, the election Of officers. Upon
motion, Mr.. Thomas of Two Rivers was
chosen President and Miss Mary Lantry
OF Manitowoc, Secretary. Some other
matters received attention, and then a
long recess was granted us.
AT IL 80, seventeen of the Sheboygan
teachers arrived.
State Supt. Graham was also present.
A paper was presented by Supt. Nagle
subject, Some of the Incalculable Ele-
ments of Teaching. The paper was
strong we'll written one. The Secretary
became SO interested in the matter there
in contained that she neglected to take
notes-trusting that the writer would
allow a glancing over to get the princi-
pal headings. Imagine her despair when
met by ''no." Spirits rose when some
of the members present suggested the
paper was worthy of more careful peru.
sal, and that the same be published.
Disappointed again-and the only way
in which any will ever be able to judge of
the merits of the paper, will be to get
the Supt. to read it to each one.
After few remarks by Prof. Graham,
further discussion was postponed until
after dinner.
The members of the Association re-
paired to the Williams House. Some
time was spent in becoming acquainted,
and at l 80 dinner was announced. No
one will deny but that ample justice was
done to the dinner.
After dinner, some time was spent in
conversation, in listening to music, and
we again assembled at the school house.
Industrial Education was the subject
treated by @. s. Brown. All men have
desires, and to supply these desires he
must labor. In the rudest stages of civ
ilization these desires are but few, and
nature almost supplies his wants without
efforts on his part. There never has been
a time when division of labor was extern
sive as now. This has brought about
great skill IN labor. There is a need for
a revival Of skilled labor in our schools
-needlework, drawing, the kinder-gar-
ten were spoken of. The tendency of
the present system is to make gentlemen
of our youth-the industries have been
brought into disrepute. In consequence
ouryouth have rushed into the professions
which are now over crowded. Our edu-
cation is one-sided, the industrial side
needs propping up. We cannot turn out
finished Workmen, but there are broad
planes of culture, to which all may be
brought. The method CT bringing this
about vas discussed.
Supt. Grogan of Sheboygan read
paper on Books, and how to use them.
The public school teaches the children
to read, but does not tell them what to
read. If left to themselves they are
quite as apt to read bad books as good
ones. The cheap, trashy literature that
is flooding the country at the present
time, was denounced in strongest terms.
No doubt every teacher has had to inaug-
urate a crusade against such literature.
Supt McAllister of Milwaukee has rec
ognized the enormity of this evil, and has
instructed the teachers to destroy such
productions found in the hands of any of
their pupils. The tendency toward in
dulging in novel-reading was spoken of,
and compared with the habit of reading
solid standard works.
We cannot read everything. The an
clients had some compensation for the
fewness of their books, in the, thor
oughness of their knowledge of what
those few contained. 1t is better to read
one book of merit, than to bur-
riedly read four or five.
Some methods for awakening an inter-
est in reading, and of directing the read
ing of pnpiIs-particularly applicable to
country districts, were given.
For various reasons the other papers
on the programme were deferred until |
some future time.
Quite profitable discussion on the pa
pers presented in the afternoon was taken
part in By quite number of the teach
srs.
At 5:15 the Association adjourned.
All present expressed themselves as much |
pleased with the meeting, and heartily
wish that this may have been but one of
many pleasant meetings between Sheboy
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