The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-13
THE scHooLMAsrERs. CLUB.
Topics Discussed by the Principals N
Port Townsend.


The October meeting of the Puget Sound
SehoolmaSters' Club was held at Port Townsend
last Saturday, with Prof. J. n Hit, of New
Whatcom, in the chair. The members present
were: L. 8. Stevens. of Hadlock; U. ID. Gnagy
and w. +. Babcock, OF Port Townsend; b. f.
Br.ntnall, of Olympia; J. NJ. Hit, of New
Whatcom; T. G. Richardson, George C. Mckee,
r. J. Browne aud Edwin Twitmyer, OF Seattle
The meeting, though not well attended, due
perhaps to the Tacoma exposition, was never
theless q very enthusiastic one, and great
interest was taken by ali present in the discus
sion of the several topics brought before the
meeting.
The discussion on "Manual Training: Ways
and Means in Cities of Ten Thousand" was
opened by Professor George c. Mckee, of the
Seattle High school The professor said:
We opened manual training department in
the Seattle High school last year, having opened
only the branch of carpeatery and joining. The
sum of $3.50 was contributed by the school board
10 start this new department With this we pur-
chased tools aud had work benches constructed,
ana also purchased what lumber we needed for
the pupils TO work with. No regular instructor
was employed in the department. An ordinary
carpenter, who knew nothing about teaching
took charge OF the boys when at work. The re-
suits OF course not good as If the instruc-
ton had been given by capable teacher espe-
cially trained Tor this sort of work. The wart
OF funds prevented the employment OF such a
man. The results, however, were fairly good
The work might be started IN a city OF 1000 nv
all outlay OF 500 or 5000. To start we'll Of
course, 1t would need q greater amount of
money. But this would do to make q begin-
ming An annual appropriation OF this amount
would soon increase the facilities for WORK n a
very respectable standard.
The professor concluded by showing how this
money might be expended to the best advantage.
A lively discussion ensued an to whether onlv
principles should BE- taught TO pupils ana
whether they should be taught 70 produe.
finished articles in connection with the prin-
ciples The places where manual training Ia.
been most successfully engrafted on the pnbi,c
school course are jamestown, " Y, and south
Pueblo, Colo. IL Was argued that the kIns.,-
garteu work taught in the lower grades should
gradually merge in the higher grades into ths
work OF manual training proper
The discussion OF city cert ication was ouened
by Professor +. J. Browne, of the Rainier school.
Seattle. He said in substances:
The necessities for special qualification. to,
WORK IN Ine city schools demand hat the basis
on which city teachers are examined should dif-
Ter somewhat from that on which the teacher Of 4
mixed school Is examined. 10 IA best 10 con.
nnue city teachers in special line OF graie
work. They should carefully qualify themseiVeS
for II, and certificates should be 90 graded and
granted as 10 give teachers the proper incentive
iSr improvement special lists OF question.
examination OF city teachers should be mos
frequent than every three months. Thsrs
should a. least be six examinations held An.
Quoted, not by the county superintendent IN,
by COMMITTEES appointed for that purr.ose
Inc appointing power and the qualifying power
OF teachers should not be in the hands III ons
individual ~-'
The discussion was followed by tho expres.
sion OF various opinions on the matter of eerttI
ication, but thereseemed to be q general age.
1nent with the views expressed BY Profe,so,
Browne.
Succeeding this an informal talk wa. .n,.,ad
into with reference to the prospects for hsvins
the National Educational Association meet ~
seattle next year. II was felt that Seattle stiIl
had lighting show, and that no stones shonld
go unturned so far as the club was Concerned an
Its endeavors to secure the favor of the commit
zee ior seattle Owing to the absence OF several
members several topics on the programme were
omitted. The latter part of the meeting wa.
taken up in the transaction OF matters of a mis-.
celaneous character A motion was carried
that she secretary and other members ei