The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-08-03
MARSHALL COUNTY INSTITUTE.

Fourth Days SOSsiOn-System of Grading
for Country Schools Adopted.
The fourth days session of the Mar
shall County Institute opened with devo-
tional exercises conducted by NIessrs.
Houck and Burton. The roll call again
showed an increase over the previous
day, and after the grand social of We'd
nesday evening there was every pros
pect OF IN interesting session yesterday.
No committees being ready to report,
Prof. Houck took upthe subject of spell
ing, and in his usual lively manner
awakened general interest. The
speaker urged the adoption Of the topi-
cal method for the arrangement ofwords
in u spelling book. He placed stress
upon the manner Of questioning, and
said: Happy is the teacher who knows
how to ask the question" His illustra-
ton Of this point was exceptionally well
made. He further told the teachers that
the only way to success was by the road
OF "hard work"
At the close OF Prof. Houck's address,
quite spirited discussion took place,
especially among the lady members, as
to the methods OF teaching spelling.
Superintendent Writ then called on
number OF the most prominent teachers
OF the county, and succeeded in getting
some valuable points.
Rev. Mr.. Meyers address, though
brief, was to the point, and evoked
round OF applause.
William Kline thought that there was
as much in knowing how to present an
idea us in knowingit.
After II fifteen minutes recess the large
audience, led by Prof. Houck, sang,
"Thcre's Good Time Coming" and
Grow your Boat"
Mr.. Rowan, secretary OF the commit
tee appointed todevise system ofgrad-
ing for rural schools, then read
the report OF the committee. The chair
man, Mr.. J. Il. King, delivered quite n
lengthy and exhaustive discourse in
favor OF the report. He stated that the
committee earnestly prayed that the
county superintendent urge upon the
teachers TO use the system us reported
by the committee, as far as possible.
W. S. GrandstaN took exceptions to
the report. Prof. Crago said that the
system reported was an excellent one
and urged the adoption OF it.
After considerable discussion n vote
was called for and the report was unan-
imously adopted. This is the most i'm
portant action OF the Institute and
something that has been long needed in
the county. 1t is proposed to arrange
the studies of the country schools into
four general grades, namely: the primary
grade, third reader grade, fourth reader
grade, and fifth reader grade.
Prof. HouCk added few words OF adj
vice as to the use OF the grades adopted.
Further arrangements were made to
hold the evening session on the camp
grounds. The Institute then adjourn
ed for dinner to assemble again at 2
o'clock.
At this hour the Institute was again
opened with devotional services, alter
which the roll was called.
Reports Of committees were called for,
and Mr.. W. i. Matthews, chairman OF
the Obituary Committee, announced
that they were ready to report. The re-
port was delayed till the close OF Prof.
Jrago's address. He opened the after
Moons work in a discourse on General
The professor gave his
of teaching in this department,
stating that an his school in Wheeling
he kept on file the Register and ISTILLl-
iENCER that the scholars might learn OF
The current events OF the day. "The
Science of Government" received
arge share of his talk, and this usually
Try subject was made quite interesting
by the speaker asking the teachers nu-
nerous questions.
Mr.. Matthews offered the following
report, which was adopted:
During the past year the teachers Of
county have suffered a great
oss. -Four OF our brightest and best
young men have departed this life, leav-
ng their places hard TO fill. Our loss
ieems dOubly great since each OF the
,Oung men were Just in the bloom OF
,outh, but we are sad, not.as they who
ave no nope, for We realize in leaving
lies school they have gone to their re-
ward.
w. ]. Rankin died November 10, 1887,
n the twcnty-frst year OF his age. Mr..
Rankin was above the average in mind
md ability, and his many sterling quail
les OF character made him beloved and
by all who knew him. Being
Energetic and progressive, he was es-
,ecially successful us teacher. His
.hosen profession was the law, but Just
before his examination and Just as he
:rossed the threshold OF manhood, the
land Of death blighted his professional
.areer.
No greater enconium can be pro-
lounced in praise OF Isaac D. Drum than
hat he died at his post, faithfully dis.
harging the duties imposed upon him.
Ilr. Drum departed this life at his home