Wichita eagle., 1889-11-30

of the branches already studied they only
master them the more thoroughly. am
radically opposed to indorsing course OF
| study from any college or university and
adopting it as whole without reference
to the needs of the pupils in order that
high school may be recognized in the cata-
logue of that particular college or unlver-
sity. Many branches should be Included
| in our curriculum that are not Included IN
these model courses of study that our col
lege friends SO generously prescribe. we
must care for the ninety and nine who
never will pursue college course.
In summing up he said: ''First, there
should be thorough drill in the English
| before the pupil is allowed to pass into the
more difficult and disciplinary branches:
be required, including algebra, plane and
| solid geometry, and plane trigonometry.
Our course should include thorough
study of civics the elemedts of political
| economy, good years work in psychol-
| ogy, and as much Of the elements OF nat.
ural science as is possible in four years
| course. Not less than three years OF Latin
should be elective, as should also the
Greek and German. In short, our high
schools should endeavor to educate,
as far as it is possible in the
limited time, by developing the powers
of the masses and prepare them for active
| life rather than to prepare them for college
| If our young people are trained to lnde-
pendent thought and original research
| they are not only prepared to secure
higher education, but they are prepared:
to some extent at least, for business and
| for Intelligent citizenship.
| H G. Woodrow. of Kiowa, insisted the
work of high schools should be of that
character that will prepare for practical
life rather than for admission to colleges.
Miss Louise Gregg, of Kingman, empha-
sized the Importance of instruction in
morals and intoxicating patriotism.
r. L. Barackman, of Wichita, said
the question was what kind of
knowledge will most benefit pu-
pills and prepare for citizenship in
case they do not prosecute their work in
college. He would not multiply the ad-
vantages gained by college course.
| Miss White and Mr.. Wilkes, of Arkan-
sas City, not being present the question
was opened for general discussion. DR..
Stephenson, of Wichita, urged the impor-
lance of establishing high schools in all
Kansas towns. Every Kansas town with
| population of 500 should support high
school. The object should be to give pu-
pills as much mental power as possible.
then they would be able for any line of
duty. There also should be an elective
course that would prepare for college.
Prof Collins, of Peabody. said it was
| impracticable to maintain four years high
schools in smaller towns.
Prof. Rice, of Winfield college, said the
high school Of the village was not the
same AS the hingh school of the cities. The
city high school should provide for at
least three years of Latin, the village high
school could not.
Prof. Hays, Of Winfield, thought the
faculty of the state university required
too much Of high schools. They should be
at liberty to select course of study with
out reference to the state university. He
did not propose to prepare pupils for any
university in this world or the world to
come
Chancellor Everest, of Garfield univer-
sity, read paper on "Some Tendencies in
College Work" This admirable address
classified school work into university, col
lege. high school and common school. He
spoke of the tendencies of colleges and uni
versities, showing Il decided improvement.
liz his Judgment The increase of public
opinion towards co-education he thought
was a step forward. One objection to col
many of them, and often institutions
aimed to do more than they were able.
The paper was quite interesting and high
ly appreciated.
Prof. Crowell, of Lewis academy, said
there was too much tendency towards do
ing practical work. Each grade of school
should furnish an inspiration for further
prosecution of school work.
The question was further discussed by
l.. Z. Eddy, of Attica; f. E. Philips, Bos-
ton; Superintendent Boyd, of Arkansas
City; Collins. of Peabody; Prof. Kemp, of
Wichita university
On motion a committee of one from each
county on nomination was appointed as
follows: Boyd, Arkansas City; Tomlinson.
of Wellington; Woodrow, Kiowa; Eddy, Of
Attica; Chichester, Wichita; Miss Gregg
Kingman; Mrs Skinner of Douglass.
A committee of five on credentials was
appointed as follows: Hoover of Yelling
ton; Rice of Winfield; Thompson of Doug
lass: Miss Mills of Anthony; Mrs. Klnsey
of Kingman.
Mr. Chichester, of the committee on re-
vision of the constitution, submitted
report 1t was adopted as read. This
completed the work of the forenoon ses-
sion.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
| Mr. Shiyely of Douglass being absent on
account Of sickness, the paper on needs of
our country schools was omitted. This
subject was ably discussed by Hoover OF
Sumner. Mrs kingsley of Kingman, Mrs.
Cation of CONVEY, and Mr.. Sparks.
Superintendent Greenwood of Kansas
City spoke favorable of Kansas schools. He
had known Kansas for twenty-eight years
and thought the advancement made most
marvellous. Educational reformation
could not be accomplished by legislation.
Some of the teachers had taken very dis
couraging view of the condition of the
schools, and he took more hopeful one.
Mr.. Parker taught his pupils, blessed
are the cheerful gvers," but failed to reach
or influence the members of the board.
The only consolation the country teacher
had that when he reaches the gates of the
New Jerusalem be will be told to take up
the harp.
An auditing committee of three was ap-
pointed as follows: Pense. .of Wichita; Mrs.
Cation, of Winfield; Kingsley, OF Cald-
well.
Upper Stevenson read paper on 'City
School System; their advantages and de-
fects-" 1t was very interesting and dealt
with the subject at length. He said in
| part:
THE public school is civil institution.
The warrant for the establishment OF this