The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-10-27
COUNTY INSTITUTE.
The Teachers Discuss the Pro-
posed New Districts.
THE LIBERALS ON THEIR EAR.
Defense of the PrOpositiOn-An
Animated Discussion.

The regular meeting of the Teachers
association convened at the usual hour
this morning in the Thirteenth district
school-room and was called to order by
President w. M. Stewart. Prayer was
offered by H. Cummings and the minutes
of the previous meeting were read and ap-
proved.
The committee appointed to review the
constitution and by laws submit d their
report. Several articles of the revised
constitution were read and approved, and
action on the balance was deferred until
the next meeting.
The regular programme was taken up,
Prof. OrsOn Towards lecture on collecting
and preserving botanical and geological
specimens being the first feature. The
gentleman described in a clear and inter
esting way how animals, birds, insects,
reptiles, worms, etc, might be prepared for
school cabinets and preserved. He recon-
mended the use of powdered arsenic to pre-
serve skins of birds and animals, alcohol
for worms and soft specimens, while in
sects dipped in a SOLUTION of co :rosive sub
Innate and alcohol would keep on pins 1tr
many years Botanical specimens should
be dried and pressed, except the seeds,
boxes. He gave numerous illustrations
to show how the teacher could in
terest and instruct his school in natural
science by the use of specimens. The food
and habits of animals can be told from their
anatomy; thus the sharp teeth and claws
of the carnivorous, the noof and grinders
of the herbivorous, etc, show the adapta-
ton of the different food and conditions
He also showed how nature had provided
bright colors and honey in flowers to at
tract bees and other insects, and the pollen
could be distributed and the seed impreg-
mated: how the seeds when matured are
provided with cotton that the wind may
distribute them, or burs that the animals
may do the same, while other seeds have
pods that burst with such force as to scat
ter the seed to quite distance. He recon-
mended that more attention be given to
such instruction in our schools.
The next exercise was the discussion of
the merits and den erits of the cOnsOlida-
ton of the city school, latO four districts,
which was opened by Mr.. j. J. Walton.
The gentleman from the start expressed
himself strongly in favor of consolidation.
On the principle that too many cooks
spoil the BROTH he thought that the sixty
three trustees of this city could no. WORK
as efficiently as a smaller number. The
present independent condition of the
schools, ungraded, and withouta system or
| given course of study, was expensive and
detrimental Some of the trustees that
control them know little about modern
methods and means Of education, and re-
ceiving no salary, take little interest in
their schools. He described the system in
Kansas and California, and the economy
and efficiency of a proper system of graded
schools. He thought that if the school
districts were consolidated into four a
proper graduation could be effected and that
I IL
cost less than with the present system.
Mr. Collins was opposed to the move.
He censured Superintendent Stewart for
arranging for the teachers to discuss this
! important matter in which they are par
ticularly interested, after the application
| had been made and such discussion would
be of no avail. However, he wished it
understood that he was opposed to the
movement, and thought that if any change
were made the schools should be CON
soldated into one district and put under
one management. He pointed out the many
| imperfectiOns of the present system and
said the lawmakers should understand and
correct them. He favored waiting for the
legislature to act in the matter.
Superintendent Stewart explained that
he had presented the application to the
county court under the advice of Judge
Marshall aud that it was not too late for
the teachers to have an influence with the
court. That body would hear arguments
pro and con and decide according to the
wish of the people
Mr. Martin offered a resolution to the
effect that the teachers oppose the applica
ton Superintendent Stewart had made;
that they censure the last legislature for
inaction in this matter, and urge the next
one to give good system of free schools.
! The resolution was not carried.
! Prof j. H. Paul showed that the county
| court had the power TO effect the consOlida-
ton, and argued that it would be the best
thing to do under the existing laws. He
was not willing to wait for the uncertain
action of the next legislature. Graded
schools there must be, and he saw no better
way to get them than the one proposed.
He showed that if the city was made one
district there could be but three trustees,
and of course many districts could not be
represented in that board. He thought
this un-democratic. If there could be
trustee from each precinct he would then
prefer making one district of the whole.
Mr.. Worstel said that some districts
would have to be divided, and the law pro-
vides that in such case equitable provision
must be made for q new school-house, etc.
He thought this would be a grave opposi-
ton to the proposition.
President Stewart said that nowhere in
the union could be found a city school sys-
TEN as large as ours under three trustees.
There were generally from seven to ff-
teen. The lines of the proposed division
would make four districts of about equal
wealth and population to support an equal
number of graded schools.
The discussion was animated on both
sides, and had extended an hour beyond the
usual time of closing the meeting, when it
was abruptly ended by the carrying of d
motion to adjourn. II. CUMMINGS,
Secretary.
! No doctors bill presented 10 the families