St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-29

OF this the graded schools own SIS, roo, leav-
ing little less than S. 900 as the value of
libraries owned by country districts. Con-
corning our
STATE TEXTBOOK LAW,
the question above all others is how to get
rid of several books on most important sub
jects which have outlived their usefulness,
and get in their places books that have in
them the methods and spirit of the pres
ent day. In the report of 1885 to the legisla-
ture, it was recommended that the superin-
tendent of public instruction be authorized
to revise the series by substitution. But the
recommendation was not adopted, and the
limit of our power to improve the situation at
present seems to have been reached.
Another important interest is the improve
ment of school buildings. Where ignorance
prevails, no advance can be hoped for beyond
the most primitive accommodations. 1t is now
possible to build county school at moderate
Acost, or beautiful design, well lighted, warmed
and ventilated, supplied with comfortable
seats, plenty of blackboard, surrounded by
shade trees and provided with Out-buildingS
and walks that mark a civilization of intelli-
gence morality and good taste. We who lead
must adopt some plan to educate the people
in this direction. A compilation of school de-
signs should be made. would recommend
the plan of reading circles which are in vogue
in some countries as something that will pro-
mote every interest of the profession. l
which we all feel pride, should receive the
support and encouragement of all the teach
erS of the state.
1t has been customary for the superintend-
ent's convention TO appoint committee on
legislation, and I would say the committee
should be instructed only in such policy as
should be the unanimous sentiment OF the
convention.
BUSINESS TRANSACTED.
Supt. Brady of Fillmore county intro
duced resolutions deploring the death of
Supt. G. w. Smith of Hennepin county,
which were passed unanimously.
The question OF organizing as an associa-
ton independent of the State Educational
association, or as branch, has been agi-
tated lately and the question of future or
ganization was referred to committee,
consisting of Supts. Sperry, Sanders and
Eddy, to report to-day. Heretofore the
two have been practically merged together
though the meeting of county Superintend-
ents takes place the day preceding the
citation. TO-days session will be held in
the senate chamber. The following are the
features of the exercises:
Grading of country schools, examination
of teachers, reports of work and experiences;
visitation of schools, institute work, arbor
day.
DR.. G. NJ. Woodward, director of the St.
Louis Training school, will speak on Manual
Training in Schools this evening at the high
school.
Mr.. Woodward is an eminent authority
on this much debated and growing ques-
ton, and will be of special interest to the
educators of ST. Paul in view of the pro-
spective experiment in that direction in this
city.
The ninth annual session of the Mime
sofa Educational association open this even
ing at the capitol with an address on Teach
ers and Teaching, by Cyrus Northrup, pres
ident of the state university.