St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-07-11
The Elementary Department
Takes a Very Wide
Spread Scope.
First Singular Meeting Of the
Section for the Kin
dergarten.
Art and Normal Departments
Elect New Officers and
End Work.
All Seven of the Sections to
Complete Their Busi-
ness To-Day.

Although the elementary department
met in joint session with the industrial
branch OH Wednesday, the regular meet
ing was not held until yesterday after
noon in market hall. When the as
semblage was called to order at 8 o'clock
by Miss Bette A. Dutton, of Cleveland,
O., the president of the department, a
large audience had gathered and all
through the programme displayed the
keenest interest in the addresses.
The opening prayer was made by DIR.
W. E. Richardson, and Mrs. ZahOnyi
and Miss Faber rendered duet in fine
style, accompanied on the piano by
Mrs. John Martin.
The first address of the afternoon was
made by Prof. Alexander Winchell, of
Ann Arbor, Mich, who read an inter-
esting and detailed paper on the value
of geological science as an early adj
junct of educational exercise. The
speaker claimed there was great mis-
conception of this subject among so
many who had never become acquainted
with its methods, and said:
The diversity of the subject matter
of geology, the peculiar sources of en-
tflusasm in the pursuit of the slcence,
the spontaneous development of new
thoughts, and the discovery of new
things are all strong arguments for the
right of students, who do not enter
college, to have some knowledge of its
truth. 1t is to be hoped that American
educators will make themselves ac-
quainted with these reasons for the
pursuit of the nature of the science.
The current conception OF the study is
erroneous for geology is by no means
profession. Some think its chief fnnc-
tion is utility and therefore only suited
to persons who desire to enter pro-
feSSional career, but snothiDg could be
further from the truth. AS an indie
pendent study it has less cultiye value
than geography but superadded to it
and geology becomes of the highest i'm
portance. The possibility of specula-
tion, the chance of opening territory
and the process of deductive asOning
possess abundant disciplinary value,
and the impression that the
study is only fitted for advanced
work is of the falesst kind, the
truth of geology and the facts and
principles, if not too inaccessible, should
command attention in the earliest stages
of education, and since they are not diff
fieult to attain the studysshould receive
a more prominent place in the curri-
culum of the common schools. and
especially in the elementary grades, fol
children are led to observe the power of
truth, the memory is stimulated and
most of all the percipient powers, which
nature has made the characteristic of
childhood, become developed to a
sounder and maturer growth.
Prof. J. Gutenberg, of Pennsylvania,
gave an instructive talk on the practical
benefits of scientific work in the primary
and grammar grades, saying: IAN ideal
plan of training. in the lower grades of
educational work, would be such an one
as includes study of man, as he is, and
the phenomena OF nature and natural
laws in their inclinations and connec-
tions to each other. Such plan does
not yet exist. but the possibilities of an
improved science lesson may be
suggested, combining observation,
practice and scientifically use
full conclusions and the question
of a great devotion to science in the
common schools is one demanding
speedy solution. Instruction in natural
science should not only commence in
the lower grades, but continue through
out the entire curriculum; the rudi-
ments of hygiene, the fundamental
principles of philosophy and elementary
chemistry need to be kept up In the
grammar SIdutS, Will uIlu UaolS tS-
tablished in these studies with the ear
liest work of the pupil.
The secretary announced that re.
union of Indiana teachers would take
place at the court house during the
evening, and read letter from Presi-
dent Garfield regretting his inability to
attend the meetings of the department
owing to the press of his official duties.
The chair appointed the following as
the committee on nominations: G. G.
Rounds, New Hampshire; Louis Sol
dan, Missouri, and Miss Abbie Low,
Pennsylvania.
Prison Schools.
. Miss Taber rendered vocal solo that
was loudly applauded by the audience,
and then Julia S. Tutwiler, of Alabama,
was introduced. The speaker has very
pleasant voice. and gave highly inter-
esting and graphic description of the
work being done in the prison schools
in the mining camps of the South.
After picturing the odious system of
Furnishing prisoners common in Ala
bama before the war. and showing the
necessity for such procedure in those
davs, she said: The early years of this
decade saw great change in this sys-
TEN of prisons, and within a few years
the old hardships have been done away
with entirely, some prison schools being
established which have more than any
thing else ameliorated the fearful ignor-
ance and misery among the unfortunate
convicts of those places. Since then
this work has been carried on by the
state W. G. T. u, and the results have
fully justified the move. One of the
most distressing features of these
prisons among the mining camps is the
extreme youth of many of the convicts,
but to remedy this boys reformatory
has been instituted, and good work is
being done. The majority are ignorant
beyond conception in their natures,
hardened and embittered by degrad-
ing life, but there is great cause for
congratulation in the wonderful i'm
provement, which has already been
made.
The final meeting of the department
will be held this afternoon, when the
committee on nominations will make its
report and the officers for the ensuing
wear he elected