, 1892-06-14
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Discussing the Method of Exam
nations.

Addresses by Professor BeeIer and
Hon. Allen Weir--An Introduce
Ory Address by Rev. Napoleon
HOagIand.
A good sized audience gathered at the
Unitarian church Sunday evening to hear
the addresses of Prof. Beeler and Hon.
Allen Weir on the defects of our school
system. Prof. Beeler, after an Introductory
address by Rev. Mr.. Hoagland, made
torcible and pleasing talk. exhibiting con-
siderable acquaintance with his subject.
A judicial fairness characterized his
method ofdealing with what he considered
the defects of the written examination
system. He said; Before the system
was introduced was the period of chaos
IN educational methods. Perhaps now
we have gone to the other extreme. If the
object Of an examination is to find ont
what the pupil knows about the text book
the present system is all right. If the ex-
animation is to ascertain the mental
capacity of the pupil the system is wrong.
tlons based on text books leads to a mere
memouzing OF words He cited examina-
ton papers that had come under his notice
as proof OF the fact; instances where the
pupil would stop in the middle of a sem
Jence because the words had been for
gotten. II 1t is desirable that pupils should
acquire ideas rather than mere words
memOrized, if 1t is desired that a pupils own
capacity for independent thought should
be developed, then there should he less
reliance upon the Mede and Persian law
OF written examinations for promotion
Another evil attendant upon the graded
system Is the neglect it leads to in regard
to special lines of original or natural
capacity. For instance Walter Scott could
not learn the multiplication table and had
70 leave school because he was required to
DO what he could not do, and was held
back IN the line ne could excel in. Wal
ter Scott became the great intellectual
Iorce OF his age and succeeding ages in spite
OF the school. Education does not CON
slsJ IN memOrizing the words of the
past, however good they may be. That is
part OF education, but not all. Education
consists essentially in the power to see into
the future. 1t is the headlight on the road
OF progress, not the red light, or danger sig
nal, which looks backward. Mr.. Beeler
calleu attention to a fact of his own expert
ence, ChaG country boys who have studied
at nome or IN ungraded schools in the ru-
raj districts, IN coming to college as a rule
snow more command of the subjects theV
nave studied than the pupils that come
from graded schools. The mechanical work
OF writing and spelling is done better bv
the graGed school pupil, but he fails in
originality of thought or in ability TO ex-
press himself in his own language.
AT the conclusion of Professor Beeler's
remarks, which were highly appreciated,
Secretary Allen Weir was introduced
and IN his usual happy manner dealt with
Jhe topic along the same general lines as
JhaG OF the speaker who preceded him. He
sald 1t is the general Intelligence of the
people that is to decide whether the ex-
pertinent OF selfgoVernment in these states
ls TO permanently succeed or fail There
lore the school is the nations bulWark. He
thought better salaries should be paid
teachers, so as to make the profession not
merely makeshltt, but profession The
highest ability is needed High ability
commands nigh salaries, but the best is the
cheapest.
Mr.. Weir referred to the magnificent pro-
vision OF the state of Washington for edn-
catlonal support Three million. one hun.
area and twenty thousand acres of land
nave been set apart for the support of pub
llc schools. This represents. when the land
Is all sold, fund Of S5OOOOOOO. 1t is ex.
pressly provided that the money shall be
invested IN the safest of securities. Private
inulHluu uals or private corporations cannot
DOrroW 1T. Mr.. Weir then spoke of what
ne considered defects in our present
method, namely, too much insistence upon
mere lnemorlzlng of words and too little
reference IN the teaching to the real deyel-
opment Of the best nature and caDac1tv of
the child. '''0''' 04
Az Che conclusion of Mr.. Weir's remarks.
winch were listened to with deep and svm-
PaUheIlc interest, the question: "What Do
I on Regard As the Chief Defect of the
FuDnc school System ?" was before the
Ilouse' ana quick and stirring responses
were MADE by DR.. Van Eaton, Judge N. S.
Porter, City Superintendent b. w. Brint-
nall, State Librarian P. d. Moore and Prof.
Yemen.
Mr.. Porter called attention to the bad
habits that boys acquire at school, OF
WnlIe they are attending school. He
thought the teaching should exert such an
influence over the boys that they will not
nave taste for cigarettes and cigars and
low language and coarse habits. Prof b.
W. Brlntnall said that at all the teachers
associations he had attended the import
ance OF moral training had always been
recognized, but that the teacher had the
chlld only i've hours out of the twenty
four.
Mr.. BrintnaL said teachers could tell the
evil effects of cigarette smoking entirely
by the mental effect on pupils Within a
week from the time the habit is begun.
ana no one do more to discourage the
habit than teachers. Although the session
lasted considerably over an hour, the best
OF feeling and interest prevailed. DR.. ].
r. Watt, Mr.. and Mrs. o. R. Simenson,
Mrs. Jos. Chilberg and Miss Nellie Frost
contributed enjoyable musical selections
Tor the occasion. On next Sunday evening
the addresses will be by State Supt r.. B'
Bryan and City Supt B. w. Brintnall.
The questions before the house will be
What is, 1st, the best definition of educa-
tlon? I'd, name the best educated person
you have met or known about Full
printed programs of the course may be
obtained at the book stores.