The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-29

Ter involuntary muscles need exercise and q
series OF experiments snow that out-of.door ex-
ercise qnicksns the pulsatfons By 1s.s per min
ute, wai!e indoor exercise increase them only 8
per minute. sud quiet sitting win bring them
% reaow. DR. W. s Robertson. president of
the state board OF health. lows. says:
our puollc system is much at fault as regards
primary scholars; too long hours: too close cen
nnenent; too many stndies: imperfect distribu-
uon OF tgns, and an almost entire absence of
ventilation. Little children should rot be Kent
IN more than an hour at a TINA Recess Is a
sure means OF securing thorough aud certain
venlaIstlon. The substitute of ealistheuics and
H na.cnlng n the sehooi-roon with even the win
COWS anu doors thrown open can never loduce
the same excellent and desirable result The
drii exercises OF the school room are not yoluu-
tary on the part of pupils and do not call into
activity every muscle. ItIs precisely the orno-
site on the playground. and il can scarcely be
doubted that the danger of exposure when win
COWS are thrown open during indoor exercises
Is greater than when children put ON wraps and
go ont"
With regard to the second claim, what is
called rude and boisterous conduct on the
senooi grounds, is only q repetition of the exer-
clses praeticed mornings, evenings and satur-
Gays on other grounds with the ADVANTAGE ON
lne SIDE OF school reoesses in the teachers SUI
pervlslon. The fact of the children in their
play being under the supervision OF the teach
ers would also practically answer the third OBJ
lection to recess In answer TO the fourth, I
would say the teacher has no right 10 relieve
herself or burdens at the expense of the health
aud success of her school. Whatever the hes.
interests OF her school demand she should re-
garo her duty to perform, and not try to evade
even though IL should entail some inconyen-
ience and discomfort on her part
The discussion that followed by the members
OF the club was mainly on the recess feature of
the topic. There was a strong sentiment in
favor OF the no recess plan.
superintendent W. +. Babcock of Port Town
SEND, spoke on "Sehool Libraries" showing:
First, the necessity; second. the manner OF OBJ
tanning; third, the character of school libraries
he earnestly advocated the need. not only OF
reference books, but also examples OF the best
literature, in order to early form for the child
the habit OF reading wholesome books The
books should be carefully selected with refer
ence to the different grades of the school, slight
ing no class OF pupils. The pupils should be
required to read a certain number OF the books
OF proper grade before being promoted, thus
making the use of the school library one condi-
ton OF the pupils promotion.
In the discussions that followed Mr. Babcock's
remarks various means of obtaining library
were proposed by Professors Powelson, Brint-
nall and others, the general opinion being that
there should be legislation in favor of establish.
Ing school libraries, or in default OF that boards
OF directors should encourage the Libraries by
Offering TO give as much money as the teachers
and pupils can otherwise raise for the purpose
superintendent T. B. Gault, of Tacoma was
not present, but sent communication showing
Approaching Centennials," as follows:
think it will be generally admitted there Ia
no more suggestive or impressive method of
teaching school youth the great facts OF national
or biographical significance than by the very re-
cent custom of celebrating anniversary days
Next year will be an anniversary year. Four
centuries have elapsed since this vast continent
was discovered. Every child that is old enough
to lisp the name of Christopher Columbus
should be told this story, at the freside and in
the school. The critical days in the career of
this great man should be commemorated in
some way, however simple. The discoveries
made on this North Pacific coast should like
wise be celebrated. Puget sound and the Col
umoia river, Captain Vancouver and Captain
Gray, Mounts Baker and Rainier and Hood-all
these have significance that should be recog-
nized in some way by our schools in Washing
ton. This may be done in several ways:
First-Superintendents and principals should
make outlines OF the historical relations center
ing about these exploits
Second, Programmes of exercises commence
rating the exploits of the men should be pre-
pared; to these parents should be invited.
There should be Columbus day, a discovery
day, Puget sound day, Columbia river day,
a Whitman day.
Third, Books OF history, choice historical
selections, incidents, and the like should be
read by and in the schools.
Fourth, DIR. Whitman should be remembered
by our youth. and Whitman day, or the day he
began his immortal ride, should be comment
grated by our schools as second only to our
Memorial day and the birthday of Washington
The Fourth Of Jul. does not occur during the
school year.
Superintendent c. W. Albright OF Fairhaven,
not being present, Professor Bingham, OF
Tacoma, spoke briefly on the danger of over
loading the course of study in the lower grades
6uperintendents Brintnall, Barnard and Gauit
were appointed a committee to present the mat
ter Of centennial celebrations before the next