St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-06-01

develop public sentiment in this direction.
Every editor is q committee of one to pro-
mote the welfare of his community. The
status OF every community is judged by its
schools
The facts should be continually kept be-
fore the people that education has ceased
to bs luxury, but has become a necessity;
that the educational demands of the day
cannot be supplied by the limited school
facilities aud they should be apprised of
the part played by the public school in the
advancement of American commemorative.
When public feeling is developed into
alton, and tangible, practical results fol
low, it is the province of the press to edu-
ca e the public as TO the workings and
me ncds of wisdom and progressive school
work Many first class teacher is Grip
pied in efficiency by having 10 pander to a
pablic opinion whose judgment is based
upon standards of fifty years ago. The
press is all powerful in removing obstacles
to civilization and progress. 1t is graf
flying fact that the press of this State, par
tcularIy that part of it which voices the
thought and sentiments Of its largest city,
have recently interested themselves active
ly in matters tending to bring about bet
ter educational conditions.
The superinte ndent of Tangiphoaa
parish, spoke on 1.-The Relation of the
Normal TO the Common Schools" He
discus sed the great advances that have
been made in the system OF teaching. The
teacher has been taught. Bare memory
is now secondary to intelligent compre-
hension the pupil learns where before he
was mentally illed by liresome repetition.
This new dawn has been produced by nor
NAL schools Schools for teachers have
come in he rear of schools for children,
but they have been effective. The teacher
skilled in all appliances for imparting
knowledge, knowing how much and of
what kind that knowledge must be, is the
true teacher of to-day. Learning has been
made pleasure for Students It. aching has
been made science for instructors. The
day is - distant when the light that
shines {: ON the normal schools shall find
response in every tireside. Already the
change is being perceived. This very con
vention of parish superintendent is due
them The superintendent is the apostle
of this new education. He must labor
zeaously Hs can oirec,ly forward the
work of both teacher and pupil. His in
hutnce must not be power Tor good, but
PROF. W. R. HORNIsH,
of New Iberia, La, read an able address
on School Dlsci pline." Discipline he saia
is admitted to be necessary in schools. The
question is how must it be acquired. No
TWO teachers discipline is the same,
though many are successful. There are
two methods of djsci pling, one internal,
The other external one is positive and
natural, the other negative and artificial
Children must be reached by both means.
The internal tells the pupil what to do,
the external provides a penalty for dis
obedience.
The chair appointed the committee on
memorials and resolutions as follows ::
Warren Esston, A. A. Gunby, J. F. Pier
son, a. V. Fournet, w. r. Burton.
Hon. Warren Easton moved that the
roll be called by parishes and the super
intendent make report of the work OF
his schools. The motion was carried.
Mr.. j. E. Barry for Acadia paris b said
the schools wele as vigorous as they can
be under unfavorable circumstances. The
schools opened ON Dec. l. Teachers are
paid $50 TO S35 good services are secured,
though the /. achecs should be better paid.
Meetings of the people relative TO ctmm
school education have been held and meas
ures will be taken TO increase The funds
by entertainments and other means.
For Ascension parish superintendent
Paul Leche said the schools had an aver
age goJd attendance. There are 1890
educable youths. These schools were
opened in February, and will remain open
five and half or six months. The Don
aid .onville school and the coloted academy
will be open nine months. The number en-
rolled is 1913, the average attendance,
14l9. There are constant petitions fer
the establishment of new schools. In con-
versation with Mr.. Easton it has been sug
gested that the number of schools in each
parish be prescribed by the State school
board. The expenses of raining the
schools are $3.50 per month. The pro-
ceeds are $4,000 or $4,000 per year.
After extending an invitation to the
superintendent to visit the graded city
schools, Hon. Warren Easton moved to
adjourn until 1880 p. N.