St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-29
STATE EDUCATION.
Opening of the Zenith Annual Ses-
sion of the State Educational AS
ISOLATION Addresses by Well
Known Men.

n
ISOLATION 80 Addresses by Well
Known Men.
The tenth annual session of the Mime
sofa Educational association opened in rep
resentatives' hall last evening. with the
president, Prof. William w. Folwell, of
the state university, in the chair. About
one hundred teachers. county superintend-
ents and other educators were present Rev.
Dr. Dana made an opening prayer and the
chair introduced Rev. DR.. Edward d.
Neill. the first state superintendent of Min
nesOta. He briefly cited the history of the
first setting apart of land for school pur-
stitutiOn of the United States
did not recognize religion,
and that one of the first treaties of the gov
eminent stated that the government of the
United States was in no way founded on the
Christian religion. He read the c0nStitu-
ton of Minnesota, forbidding teaching re-
ligion in the public schools, and said it was
essential to return to the fundamental law
of the land. The common schools of Min
nesota had nothing to do with preparing
children for another world. God forbid
that legislators should take money from the
public treasury to teach creeds. He did
not want legislators to teach him religion.
He begged to be excused. Applause.
He spoke of the public schools as schools
of morality and as preparatory to the
Christian schools. He cited the state uni
versity as the grand head of the public
school system, but three Christian colleges
within sight of it taught the Nicene creed
The chair announced that Hon. Mark d.
Dunnell, who succeeded DIR. Neil as state
superintendent. was unavoidably out of
the state, but had sent letter. The letter
was read by Assistant Supt. Prendergast
and spoke Of the development of the edu-
catlonal system of the state within the past
twenty years. since he was superintendent
He enumerated colleges which had grown
up during that time, and the prominent ed
ucators of the state were all spoken of.
FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY.
At this point Prof. Congdon, superin-
tendent of music in st. Paul. sang a solo,
with piano accompaniment and was fol-
lowed by H. B. Wilson. of st. Paul, eX-
state superintendent. who read paper on
the ''Inefficiency of the Common Schools"
One of the principal reasons why the schools
did not progress faster was that so many
schools were taught by young ladies who
never intended to teach out year. who
then gave away to other inexperienced
teachers. The schools would soon be all
taught by young ladies. Figures were given
to show that the majority of pupils in
normal schools were girls who through
some influence with the county supern-
tendent got positions. Another reason of
insutficiency was the too frequent change
of teachers. Again some of the counties
were too large to be properly visited by
county superintendent. The adjustment
of the district system and adoption of the
township system of school organization
would do away with many present evils,
including the one of having sisters. cousins.
neces and aunts as teachers. He recon-
mended the employment of able teachers
and the keeping of them.
Supt d. l.. Kiehle made some informal
remarks upon the life and services of the
late ex Superintendent David Burt. who
was described as always approachable, al
ways sympathetic and always appreciative
of whatever was brought to his attention.
Mr.. Kiehle spoke in very eulogistic terms
of Mr.. Burt. The convention adjourned to
this morning at o'clock.
The programme for this forenoon is:
Opening remarks of the president; ''Civics"
in the Public Schools, Prof. j. T. McCleary;
1.-The School and the Citizen" Prof F. B.
Pearson, Manchester college,; ''The Relation
of the study of History to Good Citizenship"
Prof. Chas. Fl. Cooper. Carleton College; dis
cussicn OF the above paper.
This afternoon will be devoted to the
reading and discussion of volunteer papers.
THIS evening there will be an address by
Prot. Charles n. Hewitt, OF the State