The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-31
EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Ihe College Men and State Teachers Con-
tinue the Work of Their Meetings.
The Former Elects Its Officers and AdjOurnS
Number of Interesting Papers Pre-
sented to Both Bodies
THE COLLEGE PROFESSORS.

THE COLLEGE, PROFESSORS.
Discussions of Interest to the Profession
Prof Campbell Elected President
The Indiana College Association met at the
Rates House. yesterday morning, with larger
attendance than on the preceding day.
The committee on college degrees was recon
strpeted so as to include Professors A. r. Ben
ton, j. H. Smart, and D. S. Jordan A post
graduate committee appointed, as follows;
r. B. Warder, j. E. carp, and D. S. Jordan.
Prof r. B. Warder, of Purdue University,
read paper on 1.-THE True Place of Industrial
Education" Prof Warder restricted the term
to school instruction, differentiated to prepare
the pupils for their probable needs in the several
kinds OF manual occupation. A common sense
principle of natural selection has given us the
text books on arithmetic STEPPED through and
through with the industrial and commercial
bearings of the topics chosen Here is form of
industrial education imposed by the State upon
all who attend the public schools. When we
consider that nearly every woman needs to prae-
tiee sewing for her own comfort, this art may
well be classed with geography and language
as among the essentials of girls education. If
teacher draws from her little children de-
seription of blacksmith shop, this is most APP
propriate lesson in practical mechanics. Pro
fessor Warder's paper was an appeal in behalf of
tho country child, whose whole schooling is
scarcely one-ffth what is required for admission
to college halls. He did not ask for technical
instruction in colleges, but he called for an
awakening of college students to the accurate
perception of the common things of every day
life.
NATIVE and Foreign Teaching of Modern Ian
guages' was the topic of Prof. Alma Holman of
DePauw University, The principal claim which
must be allowed in favor of the foreign instruct
or is his familiarity with the language he
teaches The fact that he is a foreign instructor
gives him prestige, and in this there is mod
Ienm of superiority. Some of the disadvantages
under which he labors are that he is unfamiliar
with the vernacular of his students He can
not fathom the intellect and spirit of
those who are placed before him.
There is an abyss between instructor
and instructed. The foreign instructor has
studied English doms from foreign stand
point and he is to teach German or French idioms
from an American standpoint His methods of
instruction SO impressed upon his mind that
it is impossible for him to conform to other
methods. The application of many foreign
methods in an American schoolroom the speak
or held to be impractcable
Professor John L. Campbell read paper on
the present Conditions of the Physical Develop
1nonJ OF INDIANA, reviewing the history Oh the
State from its earliest settlement to the present
time, including in his essay many statistical
tables, of which he gave only the summaries.
The paper such an one only skilled to-
geographical engineer, an enthusiastic admirer of
Indiana and a careful and conscientious writer
could have prepared. 1t was a mastery mar
shaling and presentation of all those natural
conditions and artificial aidswhich have brought
Indiana to the front rank of the the central
States eve have kept pace with the best
in the last seventy years. may the next three
score and ten show still better record.
Prof Campbell was followed by Dr. A W.
BTayton, with a short paper on the same sub
jeet, calling attention to the climatic geograph-
zeal and geological features which have con
spired to make Indiana the great agricultural
area that she is. DR. Brayton closed his paper
by a somewhat caustic comparison of the State
agricultural reports Of the State of Indiana and
Alabama. That of the latter is by Prof e. A:
Smith, and amounts to a mastery physical
geography of the State of Alabama, so logically
arranged and scientifically written that it might
serve as an agricultural university textbook.
The report presented by Prof Smith would not
lose its interest translated and read
in France or Germany; it is a full
and complete discussion Of the composition
mode of formation and properties of soils, and
of the changes produced by cultivation; of the
soil in its relations to animal life; of the general
principles governing the use OF manures and the
like.
1t would be we'll for our State Board of Agri-
culture to suppress 200 pages of the next annual
report ana puDIlSn In lUS place the 0rSG part or
the Alabama report for 1872 1t is one of the
best evidences the South has produced that it is
on the highway to that prosperity that comes
from the development of home interests. The
problem of social life and comfort is to be worked
out by every people for itself and at home Ala
bama has certainly given example in this
report that Indiana may well follow. By prop
erly directing the moneys spent in our agricul-
tural, geological and university departments, by
harmonizing these interests, and by putting
scientific men at the head of scientific depart
,nents we may look for results creditable to the
agricultural interests of the commonwealth.
The third paper was by President D. S. Jor
dan, of the State University, on Charles Oar
yin. Under this name Dr. Jordan put forth the
modern views and conclusions of the scientific
world regarding species and evolution He
thought evolution belonged to metaphysics
rather than biology and in any case did not
conflict with religion or Christianity The paper
received the closest attention. and was candid,
thoughtful, reverent and interesting statement
of this Janusfaced problem.
DIR, Philip Baker, of DePauw University who
vas appointed to speak on Science of the Sea"
begged leave to discuss Dr. Jordan's paper
and subject, which was allowed by com
mon consent DR. Baker called attention
to the salient points of Darwns life-his early
graduation, long study and slowness of con
elusion. DR.. Baker spoke without notes, and
with great earnestness and enthusiasm, and his
sulogium closed the discussion.
Prof. j. L. Campbell, of Wabash College, was
slected president for the ensuing year; Prof.
AMI Atwater, of the State University, vice
president; DR.. R. B. Warder of Purdue, secre-
tary, and Prof. Dennis, of Earlham treasurer.
The sympathy of the association was rendered
to the Womans Christian Temperance Union in
their work of advancing the cause of temper
Ance in the public schools of the country
The benedicton pronounced by Prof Ben
ton of Butler University, and the very interest
ing session of the Indiana College Association
adjourned for another year.
THE STATE TEACHERS
"A Number of Excellent Papers Read by