Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-06


NATIONAL EDUCATORS.
They Meet in Convention at the National
Museum.
FINE BODY OF rNTELLEcTUAL-LooKINa MHN-
PRESIDENT cAMPBELLs OPENING ADDRESS AND
THE WELCOME OF Mr.. HoLcoMB-PAPERs READ
AND Observation-Disclosures PRESENT.
A body of intellectual-looking men assembled
in the hall of the National museum this morn
ing. 1t was the meeting of the department of
superintendent Of the National Educational
association. A lively hum Of conversation
filed the hall as the members came and greeted
each other. This did not cease until the head
school teacher, as the president of the associa-
ton. Fred M. Campbell, of Oakland, Cal,
might be called for this occasion, raped for
order. The hall was filed, q number of ladies,
who are superintendent and principals of
schools, appearing among the members. The
commissioner of education, Mr.. Dawson, was
an interested listener at the morning session.
President Campbell, a young-looking man, with
a black moustache and black side whiskers,
made the opening address. He spoke as fol-
lows:
PRESIDENT CAMPBELL's ADDRESS.
GAS president for the year, have the honor
to call to order for its spring session the depart
ment of superintendent of the national asso-
citation of the United States, the officers and rep
resentatives, in convention assembled, Of the
grand army of 81, 900 public school teachers Of
our country; those whose Office it is to conserve
and to direct that most important factor of our
national prosperity, the American system Of
free, non-sectarian non-political public schools.
THE scene witnessed two days ago in this
city may well have drawn hither the great con-
course OF people who thronged the halls and
thoroughfares of the nations capital. Nay,
more than this; it is q scene which may well
have conferred the gaze Of the world Petty
monarchs Of petty kingdoms attained by STRAIT
egy or by bloody wars, ascend their thrones
with pomp and retinue and the gilded glitter
of display. But grand in its simplicity is the
ceremonial that quietly transfers the govern
ment Of sixty millions Of people from the hands
OF one OF their chosen rulers to another. Like
the ever-recurring miracles OF the springtime
and the dawn-mighty in its results. quiet in its
proeesses-comes to our nation at stated times
the crisis which, in other less favored lands, is
looked forward to with anxiety and foreboding.
1T might seem that in the importance justly
attached to the scene which has brought hither
like the present would sink into comparative
insigni6cance.
But, gentlemen, it is the interests which we
represent which has largely made this scene
possible. Long before the springtime shows
any visible sign to the outward eye, far down
in the depths of the valleys, away over
stretches of prairie, high up on the slopes Of
mountains, hidden in the heart of tiny seed
quietly moving in the veins Of northern oak
and southern vine, are those mighty forces
noiselessly at work that shall by and by bring
forth in perfected beauty the fullborn glory
of the year.
"And so, all over our happy country, are the
influences silently working that make a free
government possible. In the hearts of little
children are sown the gems of virtue and
patriotism; in the veins Of buoyant youth are
flowing the enthusiasm Of loyalty and the am
bition Of lofty ideals, which have their source
only in wise, and true, and universally diffused
education.
I'm thousands of school houses all over our
land, wise and conscientious manhood, tender
and loving womanhood has devoted itself to
the task of nursing these seeds Of virtue, Of di-
recting these currents Of enthusiasm.
THE cause must ever be greater than the
effect Under the dome of the capital, and in
the chamber Of the cabinet. the machinery of
legislation does its work. But the real force
lies far back, il the development of brain force,
and the training of will power, that gave us
men capable of regulating affairs 80 complex
and SO vast.
Viewed in this light, our assembly is one of
no small import; and its deliberations assume a
dignity that cannot easily be overrated.
THE convention is to be congratulated that it
meets under such happy auspices. Its presid-
ing officers are to be congratulated that the
willing response Of the able men land women,
too) whose services they have solicited, makes
it possible to present program containing
such rare promise Of interest and Of profit"
MIR. BALCONIES ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
The president then introduced J. w. Hol-
combe, the chief clerk Of the bureau of Educa-
alton, who in the course Of an address Of well
come referred to the recent inauguration events
and spoke of the incoming of a great party
chastened, it il believed, by defeat and ennobled
by the choice Of the present leader. He paid
| brief tribute TO the high character and aims
pitality OF this city and the hearty welcome
which would be accorded to the members of the
association. He invited the delegates to visit
the bureau Of Education during their stay in
this city.
A committee, to whom all resolutions will be
| referred, was appointed by the President as
follows: Messrs Newall, Maryland; Littlefeld
Rhode Island; Rowland, Illinois; Anderson, Wis
consin, and Howard. of Ohio.
On motion of Mr.. Marble a committee was
| directed to be appointed by the president to
| represent to Congress the needs OF education
| as far as it can be assisted by federal aid. He
said in explanation that the reports of the edu-
cation bureau were delayed by lack Of proper
appropriation. and this defect. as well as others
could be brought to the attention Of Congress
| by the committee.
The convention then began the considera-
| ton Of the
TOPICS ASSIGNED BY THE PROGRAM.
| The first paper on 1.-The relation of Psychology
to Pedagogics" was read by Nicholas NJ. Butler
the president Of the college for training teach.
ers, New York city. The discussion Of this
paper was led by d. L. Keihle. superintendent
| of public instruction, Minnesota, and w. H.
Payne, president Of Normal college, Nashville,
Tenn.
The next paper was on "City Training and
Practice School," by w. s. Jackman, principal
of the High School, Pittsburgh. The discussion
| was led by Howard Sandison, Terre Haute, In.
diana; w. b. Powell, superintendent of the
public schools in this city and 8. s. Park, prin.
cipal of the State Normal School, Greencastle
| Indiana
| The afternoon session was begun shortly be.
fore 2 o'clock. A paper on County Insti.
tute," was read by A. G. Lane, superintendent
of schools, Cook Co., Illinois, and on .State
| Teachers Institute" by John w. Dickinson
secretary state board of education, Massachu
sets.
At the session this evening, which will begir
| at O'Clock. o paper on the Relation o.
Manual Training to Body and Soul" will b.
| read by James MacAlister, superintendent o.
public schools, Philadelphia.
The convention will remain in session
through Friday, holding each day tire,
/ sessions.
DELEGATES PRESENT.
| The following among others ware nresent