The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-15

encourage the pupils and foster their pride In
the Libraries would suggest that certain sum
be appropriated for each building for library
purposes, to be paid when the pupils anu
teachers have raised an amount equal TO one
half of that appropriated By the board; Libraries
purchased by pupils in the past to have proper
credit
The Worlds Columbian Exhibition.
I have received from the United States COM
missioner of education, the Hon. William T.
Harris, the following circular letter:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, }
BUREAU OF EDUcArIoN,}
WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. 5, 1871
Dear Sir: In the Worlds Columbian EXPOSE
ton, now approaching, il is hoped that single
building viii be furnished OF sufficient ex ent
70 ana sas s sn 70 ibe DIS
partment OF education. At Philadelphia in 1876
not only the foreign exhibits were separated
and scattered, but the exhibits OF the several
states were isolated from one another. The eff
feet OF the educational exhibit at Philadelphia
consequently was very much weakened But at
the Cotton centennial at New Orleans the edu-
cational exhibits of the United states and of
foreign nations with few exceptions were
brought together In the gallery OF the govern
nounce 1t the best exhibit hitherto made of ed
ucation. Undoubtedly it derived half its advant-
age from the fact that ii was disposed and
ranged under one supervision, and the whole of
its material brought together in one place.
With view to secure unity OF action on the
ment of education in different parts of the
country, in the effort to induce the directors of
the Worlds Columbian exposition to provide a
single building SUFFICIENT in capacity for the
required purposes, it is proposed that there be
organized in each state as possible, a
committee with authority to take in charge all
matters pertaining to educational exhibits.
Such a committee may be provided for by the
legislature or appointed by the governor, or in
the event that neither of these arrangements is
practicable said committee may be organized by
election from local committees formed in cities
and towns and in the educational institutions
of the state.
In whatever manner appointed, the committee
should be thoroughly representative of all
c, asses OF schools and educational institutions,
whether public, private or denominational, and
1t should include state, county and city super
intendents, the officers OF private schools and
academies, presidents OF colleges and univer-
Sites directors OF Institutions for the detective
classes, etc. AS soon as the state committees
ready to act 1t is proposed to organize joint
effort to secure the grant OF space necessary Tor
This bulletin is sent to the city superinten6-
ents and other persons representing educational
interests, with the hope that if the suggestion
has not already been anticipated and state
committee already been formed, that steps will
be taken Immediately to organize such.
Please to forward to this bureau at your
earliest convenience any information that you
may have OF any suggestion that you may be
willing to make on this theme.
WILLIAM I. HARRIS, Commissioners.
1t will be observed that the educational ex-
cities are to be arranged and displayed in a sim
gle building This is wise plan, as it will en-
able teachers and those interested in educational
affairs to make comparative study of the
various school systems.
The Seattle schools should be represented, but
to make proper exhibit some money will be re-
quired suggest that a special committee be
appointed to act with the superintendent in de-
vising ways and means for the proper repre-
sentation OF our schools at the Worlds fair in
1898.
Apparatus.
To properly illustrate and teach many OF the
branches, additional apparatus will be required.
able apparatus is at hand than without it. By
apparatus is meant all aids and devices in teach
ing except the mere textbook.
We need reading charts, music charts,
numeral frames, maps, models, relief maps,
moulding boards. special tables, small cab
inets, reading leaflets, color charts, vari-
GUS weights, scales and measures; nat
ural history pictures, collections of OBJ
jects, as textile fabrics, articles used In the
trades, vegetable products, mineral products,
animal products, curiosities illustrating the
customs of different people.
Isuggest that a moderate appropriation be
made each year until all the buildings are well
supplied with necessary apparatus.
Night schools.
There are many boys and girls In this city to
when the doors of the public schools are prac-
tically closed. There is but one tiwe of the day
when 1t would be possible for these boys and
girls to attend school, and that would be at
night. Many of them are the only means OF
support for widowed mothers or invalid fathers
Some of them have neither father nor mother,
and, being forced to earn their own living. grow
up ION the Streets" and eventually fill our pris-
ons and reformatories.
Wo h.v d.
that duty is to at least offer them an opportun-
ity to educate themselves True, night school
at first might have limited attendance, but
firmly believe that If once started IL would grow
and thrive and be of great benefit to this COM
munity. livery respectfully urge that immedi-
ate action be taken with q view to establish q
night school.
Trained Teachers.
The opening of the state normal school at
Ellensburg; the establishing of a normal de-
partment in connection with our own High
school leads us to seek the opinions of others
concerning the value of normal training. /
quote from Mr.. Thomas Hunter. who says:
BY law, every teacher and every assistant
teacher in the common schools OF Austria
Hungary must obtain certificate OF Qualifca-
tlon al the teachers seminary. similar law
prevails in France, Germany, and most of the
European countries; and yet the United states,
which expends more money on public educa-
ton than any three of these monarchies united,
permits tens of thousands of teachers to teach
In the common schools. with no better certif-
Gates tnan the licenses oil county commissioners
or county superintendent who IN ay never have
taught day in their lives, and who are just as
qualified to issue q certificate to a man to nayi-
gate ship as to teach a school. This is all
wrong.
1t becomes the duty of all teachers, of all pa
triots, OF all educated men, and parti cularly of
the eoliege professors who are, as rule, men of
learning, to use every effort to spread the nor
mai system, and to compel every teacher in the
common schools to obtain a certificate of quail
fcatlon from the normal school. Then, and not
till then, the United States will show the best
and most effective system OF public schools in
the world; and the people will receive full re-
turn Tor all the money expended.
Number of Pupils in a Room.
By reference to Table TX, it will be seen that
the average number of pupils in each room in
the city Tor the year was forty-three. This is
based on the average number belonging, and OF
course is much smaller than if based on the
registration.
sincerely trust that the board Of education
will strive TO prevent increase OF the average
for the following reasons:
First-A school-room is similar to passenger
train, in that 1t must always have reserve seats
for those entering at different points. and seat
vacated temporarily cannot be occupied II the
baggage be left in ii.
Second-School-rooms are constructed to hold
sufficient fresh air for forty pupils, and when
the number is increased the result is that a
certain amount of the air exhaled, filed with
the germs OF disease-flthy, foul, poisonous-is
actually breathed again by the pupils. Such
conditions tend to spread disease, and we
should do all in our power to prevent it.
Third-Parents send their children to the
public schools-not to be herded like sheep, nor
to have the care of a nursery maid-but to be
tod E-Un II -