The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-01
INSTRUCTORS OFTHE YOUNG.
The State Teachers Association Con-
cludes Its Business and Adjourns.
The Blair Bill Endorsed and Opinions on I'M
portant Subjects Expressed in Series
of Resolutions-Office Elected.

Association yesterday was opened with prayer
by Rev. O. c. NcCulloch. following which an
address was delivered by Howard Standison, of
the State Normal School, on '"The Organic Rela-
tion of Common School Studies" There are"
he said, three constituents of the organic rela-
ton of common school lstudies, and these are
First the relation of mutual development exist
ing between tbs common school subjects them
selves and the ideas in them; second, the studies
constitute a mental gymnasium for mind activity,
and third, the materials and studies constitute
medium by which the miniature mind is
brought into contact with the divine"
Common school studies are required for this
preparatory stage of education. The highest
development of man comes not from himself
alone, but from organized society From a bust
ness point of view, the studies that are abso-
lutely necessary are arithmetic reading and
writing. The most practical education is to put
a child forth into the world with all his powers
harmoniously developed his observation acute,
and his judgment quick and accurate, The most
important question with every teacher is not
how he can make child see more clearly into
arithmetic but to teach him how he can best
employ it and similar studies q groundwork
for the highest possible development
A general discussion followed on the question,
''How Best to Develop Thought Powerin pupils"
the first speaker being j. Fl. Mar
tin, superintendent of the Madison
schools He knew of but way
to develop the power Of thought in the pupils,
and that was by letting them think for
themselves. The power is strengthened by use
and weakened by disuse. The best means of
lie IN Ia fhnir in ia n
them studies suited to their stage of develop
ment The senses must be exercised and trained
so that each may perform its functions accu-
rately, but this cannot be done so long as in
structors continue to treat the child's mind as
passive receptacle. It is an active agent and
must be treated as such. The senses can be
trained by bringing the child in close contact
with nature, for in no other way can the thought
method be better developed.
1t was decided, on the motion of Mr.. Hamilton,
to appoint committee of seven to consider the
advisablity of asking the Legislature to fix an
educational qualification for county superin
tendents.
G. E. Coffin, of New Albany, discussed the
question, Should the State Furnish Text Books
to the Pupils Y The question had but recently
been sprung but the speaker thought that it
promised to become an issue of great Importance.
He was strongly of the opinion that the State
ought to furnish the textbooks. She owns the
school buildings, the furniture and the fixtures
and she should own the books. They could be
furnished by the State at about half their
present cost. in the interest of social equality
the books should be owned by the State. She
should make no discrimination between the rich
and the poor. but should say to both classes, you
are my wards.
The next question discussed was, us Instruc-
tion Best when Pleasantest p
j. B. Raglan of the Richmond Normal School,
said that the teacher should try to make his in
struction Interesting, so that it would command
the attention of his pupils. The instructors
49, IN sxS+nr 20 I'm
subject under discussion. This is the purpose of
instruction--not to please and entertain. It's
serious mistake to make studies hard and unat
tractive 1t should be the aim of the teacher to
secure the voluntary attention of the pupil. In
struction is best when it tends to eliminate the
element which attracts the pupils attention from
the subject matter, and is, therefore, not neces
sarily best when pleasant.
Prof Elias Botz of Mishawaka thought that
instruction should always be pleasant, although
it is not at all times best where pleasanteSt The
unpleasant features in life are the ones that lead
to victory. This is true in the schoolroom.
A brief address was delivered to the teachers,
shortly before the noon recess. by Mrs Josephine
r. Nichols, president of the State Woman's
Temperance Union.
In the afternoon, john p Wickersham, ex-
Superintendent of Public Instruction. of Penn
syivania read a paper on 1.-The Discipline of the
Pupil" He advised moderation in punishment,
expressing the opinion that where it is inflicted
without benefting the child, it is wicked and i'm
moral Teachers err profoundly by not appeal
ing more to the inner consciousness Of the pupil.
Anybody knows how to teach reading. writing
and arithmetic, but skill of higher order is re-
quired to train the pupil as he should
grow. An appeal to the conscience of
the child must be made through the
conscience of the teacher. Examples of
virtuous conduct and living acts of right and
wrong are required to influence tie moral ma
ture of the child. Biography and history can be
so taught as to keep the hearts of the learners
turned upward. The times demand better
moral training. There are TOO few mechanics
who will do an honest days work for days
wages, if left to themselves. and too many mer-
chants who sell shoddy goods for the prices paid
for the best, and too many church brothers who
pray with on Sunday and then cheat us on
Monday morning, without the slightest thought
of conscience, because they believe that they are
justified in doing so by the necessities of bust
ness. 1t is lamentable to what extent
our elections have become simply
these corruptible voters attended our public
schools shows to us our duty as teachers in Civ
ing more careful attention to the moral training
of our pupils.
On the recommendation of the nominating
committee, the following named persons were
elected officers for the next year:
President-Cyrus Hodgin, of Richmond.
observation-disclosures Spear, of Evansville;
New Albany; S. j. Merrell, of Mt Carmel; Sam
uel Lilly, of Gosport: W. r. Wilson. of New
Castle; Mr.. Creager. of Sullivan; III. NJ LaFol-
lette of Lebanon: j. K. Waltz, of IIogansport;
Mary Harper, of Huntington; Harriet
E. Leonard, of Fit Wayne, and 0. T. Hub
bell, of Bristol
Railroad seeretary-T. G. Afford, of Indianap-
oils
Executive committee-Mrs. r. A. Mofett, of
Rushville; Miss Maggie HILL of Rensselaer,; VS.
III. Sims. Of Goshen; James FL. Henry, of Mar
tinsville, and D. j. Crittenbarger. of Anderson
E. A. Bryan presented report from a special
committee appointed to consider the advisability
of recommending changes in the law relating to
the powers of township trustees The following
was presented as an expression of the associa-
tons sentiments:
I'VE believe that the spirit of the existing
law is wise and when honestly administered
will. in the future, as in the past, produce the