New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-13
MUSIC AND MANUAL TRAINING.
DISCUSSIONS IN THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE or Ed
UCATIOy


UCATIoy
Newport, July 1.-THE fourth days session Of tho
American Institute OF Education opened this msrning
with an address by Professor J. b. Sharand OF Boston,
upon Vocal Musc.' Mr.. Sharland referred to music
as a language OF tho emotions. This language hc said
should be taught In exactly the same manner as any
other language. plan for obtaining the best results
was outlined and the best methods Of teaching school
music were discussed.
Genius and Circumstances was the subject Of the
next lecture by the Rev. A. r. Wnship, Of Boston,
who said " We deal simply with the educational phases
Of genius. There are three classes OF pupils In Our
schoos-stupid, mediocre and talented. The first VIII
get very little out of tho school, do tho best may;
tho last need very little OF the school, they will do
very we'll anyway Franklin discovered electricity
without having had any apprecIa5lo schooling and
Edison has applied It, having had but two months
schooling In bis llfo. But tho stupid are not much
moro numerous than tho talented. The school IS for
the great body Of mediocre children with these talent
Is easily developed they the material for the school
TO work upon'
The discussion OF manual training was opened BY
Nicholas Murray Butler, president OF NewYork Teach
ers' College, who said: "In order 10 fairly discuss
the subject OF manual training, must distinguish
carefully the end from the OF education. The
end is always the sse and the development Of tho
minds powers. Tho means, however, differ from
year to year and from to age and depend on the
factors First, knowledge Of the chIld's mind,
and second the changing character of our environ
ment. Manual training IS better adapted 10 our en-
vironment than tho old-fashoned curriculum. Chill
drcn must be trained in school to know something Of
life and its methods, and not merely stuffed with words
and empty book knowledge
Following Mr.. Butler, Superintendent OF Schools
c. T. Melcney Of Someryslle said: IL Is asserted By
those who oppose manual training that there Will be
opportunity enough after school IS finished for
II his talents lead him 10 seek such employment Ths
facts are that there such opportunities; the
child seldom has taste for such occupation, and II he
has inclination driven by necessity TO use his
hands, he does not know in what lines he Will DO
likely to succeed Why SHOULD boy or girl be left to
chance for the training upon which much dependsi
We should 60 Just far the training will meet the
necessities of every child. No deny this. We
have mach right TO 60 further than this and give
instruction and training that will prepare boy for
mechanical pursuits have to train for commercial
occupation professional llfe.'
Tho discussion closed by Superintendent s. T.
Dutton, of New Haven. Mr.. Dutton thought this
form of education has undoubtedly to stay. Its
arrival has been long delayed but for that 10
Is the more welcome.
At the business meeting of the American Institute
Of Instruction this morning. the following resolutions
were passed:
Resolved, That We recommend the adoption Of the
town system in the administration Of schools, as now
sanctioned by the successful experience of all the states
foremost in oducaton
Resolved That In view of the close connection Of the
home and school, we invite the cooperation OF the
teachers of America IN organizing village Improvements
societies hundreds of which, scattered widely tho
country securing better sanitary and aesthetic con-
dltion OF homes and communities; fostering public
spirit and town PRIDE inviting liberal plans and gifts
for public Libraries and for many other Improvements,
and promoting the more general observance Of ArbOr
Day, already adopted in twenty-seven states and
Territories.
The selection Of the officers for 1888 resulted fol-
lows President, George A. Liuefeld Of Newport;
secretary, Ray Green Hurting, Of NewBedford; as
sistant secretary, August d. Small OF Boston, treas
urer james W. Webster, of Maiden. Mass assistants
treasurer, Henry WbttemOre, OF Waltham. long
list of vice Presidents from each state, was also
chosen.