The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-07-17
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
MADISON. July ID, 1884


sions of the Legislative house brought
revenue reform which the people of this
place 'viewed with alarm" But its de-
sires have been gratified and its capacity
taxed to the utmost this week and last.
The influx of guests has been such that
their entertainment has ceased to bear
the feature of business and is known as
hospitality" The teacher is not man
of large appetite, and to-day Sunday
there is no attempt on the part of the
$500 visitors to induce vendor of fiery
fluids to do aught which the local laws
would not approve.
The thousands of teachers assembled
here have come from all parts of the
United States. They are earnest, able
and conscientious men, with little of that
stiffness and formality which are improp
erly regarded as attributes of the success
full teacher. But it saddens one to look
at them. All prematurely old, health
gone before life's meridian is reached,
and, it is to be presumed, poor in purse;
for who ever heard of a teachers being
wealthy? Among the teachers at Madi-
SOD, there is not one of vigorous frame;
not one whose form is not bent with
weight of care and uurequited labor
The country owes great deal to these
selfsacrificing men. Besides giving tai
ent to their profession they have laid on
its altar health and ambition. They are
among the great actors in the drama OF
life, but in compensation and fame they
are classed with the supernumeraries.
Madison at present is pre- -eminently an
educational city. Last week the Supreme
National Council had session of some
days; the institute conductors began
their session on Friday, and the e1ami-
nation for state certificates opened on
Thursday. This week the State Teach
ers' Association and the National Asso-
citation held meetings.
Manitowoc county is we'll represented
at the examination, there being present,
John Moeller, John A. Hussey, Louis
Falge, James Burke and Eta Solberg.
A greater number of applicants are pres
ent at this examination than at any pre-
ceding one for years past.
The educational exhibit will, perhaps,
be more suggestive to the teachers in at
tendance than the many papers Oh edu-
cational topics. have not had yet time
to do much more than hastily glance over
the exhibit; but this cursorv examina
ton has shown the possibilities, in an
educating direction, of a systematic
study of the things displayed. The
drawings, meteorological specimens and
costs of extinct animals are particularly
instructive. Why should not every
school have cabinet of mineral speci-
mems? 1t will require only q small out
lay and the industry and interest of pu-
pills will make constant additions to it.
People who did not engage rooms at
the hotels in the early part of .In.ne find
themselves playing the part of the Wan
dering Jew. I played that part last night
and did fairly we'll for de6utant. 1
had presentiment all the week that tbs
gentleman and lady from Ohio" whose
room occupied, would meet with rail-
road accident or be stampeded by re-
turning delegates from the Chicago con-
vention, or have maleIia or something
which would make visit to Madison in
convenient. But they came and took
instant possession. Prof. Pray of White
water sought his couch rather late that
night and found he was entertaining an
angel unawares. 1 was the angel and
was simply tucked into the professors
bed. Some one told him I had the small
pox and he dida't dispute possession of
the room with me,
There are about 80 tents pitched on
the Capital Park. The weather is superb
but the evenings are cool. A cot in a
canvas is not an unmi1ed delight. 1t
has no romance in it for the southern
brother who goes about evenings with
his overcoat buttoned to his chin. Per-
haps the old veteran would prefer the
tent to habiuation. having more of the
enervating adjuncts of civilization. But
the teacher is fragile and isn't on the
search for hardships. Many of them
must take to these tents or have the blue
sky for O covering, however.
Last night the people of Madison sere.
naded Col. Villas. An immense con-
course of people gathered in front of his
residence. The silver tongued orator
was not in good voice and his speaking
seemed to be perfunctory. I had often
before seen Col. Villas but never detected
any resemblance in him to Hon. Jos.
Villas Of Manitowoc. But last night in
the imperfect light of the torches where
only the general contour OF his face could
be observed, one would easily mistake
him for Villas of Manitowoc. Not only
that, there is an identity in the quality
of their voice.
The people of Madison almost worship
Villas. 1t isn't affection; it is pride. 1t
is the intellect not the heart that is in
love with him. He is not an impulsive
man; he is not warm hearted man. He
does not win hearts, but he commands
admiration.
Apropos of politics, there are few lead
ing teachers in the state who support
Blaine. Of course their political infu-
ence is hardly worth considering. Blu,
their opposition shows the drift of intel
ligent political opinion, in this contest
The New York and Massachusetts, teach