The Portland daily press., 1884-10-20
TIE PEDAGOGUR..l
Closing Session in City HnII--Omcers
EIecIsd-Papers Discussed Resolutions

The session of the society Saturday morning
was held in City Hall, on account OF the large
attendance. After prayer by Rev. B. P. Snow,
the society proceeded to elect the following
officers for the ensuing year:
President "A. L. Lane.
Vice President-G G. Chase. J-l
Secretary a. d Treasurer-E. W. Hall.
Executive Committee b. o. McIntire, Miss NJ. F..
Adams.
Committee on observation-disclosures Tash, L. G.
Jordan, G. A. Robertson.
The secretary was authorized to distribute
the remaining reports Of the society, under the
direction Of the advisory boards
Mr.. Corthell spoke In favor of teachers tax
ing some educational publication and
would recommend the papers and maga-
zines issued by the New England Publishing
Company
The committee on science was directed to
take into consideration the forming Of plan
for organizing in each town circle of science
for the study of mineralogy, geology, etc., and
to form these local circles into State circle.
Next came a paper by e P. Sampson, on
"Rsnking and examination as inducements to
study, and as grounds Of promotion in classes
and honors at graduation" Mr.. Sampson pro-
nounced the system hurtfnl in every particu-
lar.
In the discussion, Prof. II. L. Chapman
thought that ranking, properly used, Is not oh
jectioDable. 1t is only an expression in figures
Of the teachers Judgment. Every teacher
must form some judgment. What objection Is
there to his expressing them in figures? Rank
ing must be kept in the background; 1t must
never be made prominent, nor paraded before
the scholars. Believed no man can trust to
his general impression of Students standing;
something more definite and accurate is need
ed. Would abolish the system Of honors as
determined by rank.
Dr. T. T. Dana discussed the question from
the medical standpoint. Objected TO 1t be-
cause 1t Injuries the health by engendering ner-
vous diseases and ca0ses waste of vital orce
at the period OF life when it is most needed.
Has consulted hundreds OF parents, aud found
the testimony in all cases the same; an occa-
sion of nervous arrangement in the pupils.
The nearly unanimous testimony OF medical
men is also to this effect Children often grad
uate with honors at an early age and bright
hope, who after ward fail to fulfil the expects-
tion OF their friends, through impaired health,
brought on by nervous arrangement, as a re-
suit of overwork and worry.
Mr. Marvel thought examinations might be
so conducted that the pupil would not know he
was passing test for promotion, By having
frequent aud short written lessons. In this
case there would be no anxiety on the part OF
the pupil. He should not know anything uf
the percentages gained. He would have from
six to ten examinations year. In order to
keep the record on file In case the question Of
promotion should ever become matter Of dis
pute.
At the close OF the discussion, Mrs. Tisdale,
teacher of elocution, gave en- illustration Of
the Delsarts system of expression.
The society wishes to express its very great
appreciation OF the paper on a course of study
in ungraded schools.
The advisory board for the coming year will
consist of @. Rounds, Miss s. @. Starrett,
G. B. Files. e. W. Hall and e. P. Sampson.
The society adopted resolutions thanking the
railroads, the hotels, the city government Of
Portland, the society Of the First Baptist
ness received at their hands. II was also re-
solved that it was the sense of the society that
appropriate instruction should be given in all
the public schools of the State on the physio-
logical effect of alcohol on the human system.