Wichita eagle., 1888-08-10
NORMAL INSTITUTE.

| L.
The cool weather seems to infuse new
life into our institute and the interest eX-
hibited is proportionately increased. We
can say without being in the least degree
egotistical that we are having the best
normal institute that has ever been held il
the state Of Kansas.
The interest manifested by both teachers
and taught is really phenomenal. Supt
| Pence is to be given great credit for the
skill and diplomacy that he has used in
| the management thus far. 1t is no small
task that he has to perferm-to see to the
needs of two hundred pedagogues whose
needs aae quite numerous we assure you,
! He is busy man from early morn till
/. dewey eve.
| Our last social was refreshing to is
though TO those who cannot understand
our simple pleasures it may have seemed
dull. In fact, we heard one dear creature
mot a teacher) say that it made her tired.
1t requires very little to tire some people,
especially their intellects. These socials
are not held for the amusement of society
in general, though we welcome any who
find any pleasure in our midst.
In grammar recitation we took up the
subject of the verb its infections, voice.
mode, tense, person and number. The
discussion was varied and interesting. 1t
was decided that the definitions of the
indicative and subjective modes. as given
III most our grammarS, are deficient. The
term subjunctive was objected to, it being
agreed that it ought to be the conditional
mode instead of the subjunctive. Won
derS will never cease. Our discoveries in
the grammatical field are many and i'm
portant.
We recognize no grammarian as absolute
authority, but are eclectic in our methods
of study. We pin our faith to no mans
coat sleeve, but whatsoever seems good to
US we accept after it is tested and proven
true.
The class in civil government grew some
what excited upon the subject of taxation
Several guests waXed warm upon the po-
litical phase Of the subject. Many words
were exchanged but no blows were passed.
This is a more dignified body than that
which met at the windy city few weeks
ago, The subject was pursued from Beer
sheba unto Dan and return. No conclusion
was reached except by those who heard but
spoke not. Their conclusions doubtless
were that there was very appreciable lack
of discernment on the part of the dis
putants. "Discernment of what" do you
say? That those taking no part were
very much varied by the flow of sound.
eve heard the grinding of the mill but
we saw no meal"
We think that the teachers should not
allow so much desultory discussion which
can be of no benefit, except to those few
who are fond of spOuting. To be sure
those few gain experience in harangueing
but are we TO come here to Wichita merely
to act as an audience for few would-be-
orators? Do we get value received upon
our investment of time and money? We
think not. and we utterly fall to see any
actual benefit that can accrue to the
schools of Sedgwick county in consequence
of these effervescent remarks that are con-
stantly falling from the lips of several
persons as naturally as though words were
their appropriate fruitage. We hope that
it will not be necessary to invent some
means that will be tothis institute As the
governor is to the steam engine. 1t seems
TO us that the professor should be sufficient
detent in this regard. The laws of at
mosphere pressure and capiiiarity were
and explained in the national
philosophy class. Also the different kind
of pumps, their construction and uses
were considered. The reading lesson con-
sisted OF drill upon pitch-medium, low.
and high. There are several in this class
who aspire TO be elocutionists. We trust
their hopes viii be fully realized, but twill
take endless practice and unintermitting
application. Is the edd sought worth the
energy expended in gaining it? ThysOlogy
class considered the subject OF the eiabor-
alive faculty or the understanding as il is
called. The lesson was quite in
and instructive. There was not
so much discussion as usual from the fact
that some who have been quite loQuacious
upon this subject, were absent from the
recitation.
In school organization were considered
the following points: First days work in
the district school. Importance of well
defined plan of procedure. necessity and
in beginning the exercises OF
day, ETC., etc.