Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-07-19
AT MOUNTAIN LAKE.
Brilliant Proceedings OF the Educational
Association.

fEOCoouiukb oh tho
Association.
Special Telegram, TO TIE Register.
Special Telegram 10 the Register.
MOUNTAIN LAKE PARK, July 1S.-The
discussion Of manual training in the public
schools was resumed this morning in the
Joint teachers association. Prof. Squires,
of Cecil county, Maryland, was the first
speaker, and made an interesting address,
While strongly urging the importance Of
manual training, he did not believe 1t pos
sible or practicable to introduce 1t into our
school system at present. 1t was absurd,
he said, to talk about compelling our
teachers TO teach all the trades and arts.
Better give more thorough instruction and
require more careful work in the branches
already laid down.
Superintendent Anderson, Of Wheeling,
agreed with Prof. Squires. Concentration
of thought was the one thing that school
should teach. 1t was the noblest power
that the school could create He did not be-
lieye that an attempt to introduce system
of manual training would be
conducive to this great end. The training
that the average teacher could give in the
useful arts wonld make jack-of-all- l-trsdes
of q boy, and fit him for nothing. The
people Of this country were in
TOO GREAT A HURRY TO MAKE MONEY,
TO force their trades. In Wheeling there
were pottery industries. Skilled potters
were required to work seven years to
learn their trade, and yet some people
would try to become potters within 0
week. Teachers should strive to do more
faithfully the work that they already had
in hand. There would be time when the
boy had completed his studies in school TO
turn his attention TO his work in life.
When he had mastered these studies, he
would be able to fill broader sphere, and
do fuller and better work for himself and
for his fellow men.
Prof. T. O. Miller, of Fairmont, read
the published opinions Of several promi-
nent educators in favor of manual train
ing, and explained the methods persued in
the schools where the manual training sys-
tenn was in operation. Grouping the opin-
ions quoted he drew the conclusion that
manual traing was stimulus to intellec-
tual effort, and IN aid 10 the teacher In his
school work.
West Virginia, however, was
NOT READY
for the introduction Of such o system.
Wheeling might establish and conduct II
successfully. Few II any other towns Of
tine State could. But the time would
come, though it might be many years
away, when it would prevail all over the
State, and every other State Of the Union.
Something could be done in this direction
now. Our pupils could be taught to use
their hands and eyes and ears to study the
phenomena of nature. He favored broad
industrial training in our public schools.
The discussion was continued ut some
length by Profs. Dashiel and EubsDk, OF
MARYLAND. Prof. Eubank stated that the
Maryland training school was In connec-
ton with the public schools. Pupils above
fourteen were admitted to the school. A
three years course was taught. The In
structors are practical mechanics. The
AIN OF THE INSTITUTION
is to turn out boys not only mschinists,
bat broad well educated men. Prof. ]. N.
Lee argued that the farmer boy did not
need manual training 30 much a. the city
boy. It should he established first where
IL was most needed and most practicable
in the large towns of the State. Prof.
T. E. Hodges favored the reform school as
q nucleus for the new system. II should
be conducted Independently Of the regular
free school system.
A paper on Free and new text
books was then read by Hon. N. A.
Newell, President of Maryland Normal
College. Mr.. Newell discussed the growth
of the public school system. Everything
connected with the cause Of education had
been made freer and freer as the school
system had developed. To-day the bur-
den of proof lay upon the opponents OF free
teKt books.
The discussion wN continued BY Profs.
Wittmer and Squires, who took substAn-
TALLY the same stand % Prof Newell
TIE AFTERNOON SESSION.
The first paper Of the afternoon wai
read by Prof. v. B. Penningtoo, Of White
Pisina, Nd subject: The Chief Needs oi
Our Public Schools." II was IN earned
psper. He believed that the needs Of tn
public schools are mot ecclesiastical super
vision, more legislation, but the improve
ment Of the methods Of teaching Thil
was sustained by long and well sxpresssf
argument.
The discussion Of the paper was opened
BY John d. Worthington, Examiner fol
Hartford county, Nd he said our CREATES
need is-meana We have god md ex
cellent system, but what 10 this withcu
tbe mean. This is Q point In which th'
law might be improved.
The general discussion W. eng.eed d
| By Prof Psnningtoa and sthsrs- AIR
short recess paper On The satjsct II
tReqlirsmsns q Our Work." ~ II