St. Paul daily globe., 1892-12-29
primary grade teachers should know
kindergarten principles.
EAiScusSnh 1Eeyt Books

Room ~ and carried out this pro-
gramme:
Supt. A. E. Engstrom and Gertrude
C.Ellis read papers on Minnesota'5 edu-
cational exhibit at Chicago. ~
Ihecommlttee appointed to take ac-
ton on the plans outlined and recon-
mended i'll tho paper reported favor
ably and it was adopted.
The main feature of the meeting and
one which was the most interesting was
the discussion over text books and
SUpplyS.
Supt. L. K. Macintosh read paper
on the subject. in which he heartily ad-
vocated the text books in the schools.
He said il was cheaper for the parents,
who did not have to buy books under
this system. and that it helped in the
education of the poor. He thought
that ii the legislature could be Induced
TO pass upon this matter it would be for
the best interest OF all. He stated that
petition had been signed by q major
ity of the teachers in his county recon-
mendlng the legislature to act favoraDiy
in the matter
f. B. Chaplin discussed the question.
He said he had experience in this dis
trict for a period of sixteen years in ed
ucational work. lie had tried the plan
of free text books and it had been far
the best he had ever adopted. he said
at first it was hard matter to get dis
trlcto to adopt the plan, but he finally
succeeded and they now are all III favor
of it. He felt sure that all who tried it
would never go back to any, other Sys-
tenn.
In regard to the cost of books he said
that after five years trial he found that
the average cost to the pupil was about
% cents. In the graded schools ii cost
about 80 cents. The books lasted nearly
eight years. If books are injured the
pupils are expected to pay for them.
and in every instance but one they had
done it. The enrolment the first year
was all increase of IL per cent. He
thought, if the system was adopted soon
more children in the state would be
brought into the schools that are not in
them. Loud applause followed.
Z. 5. Gallagher said he had tried it
for four years and he was most cer-
tainly III favor of the free text books.
He thought the attendance would be
greatly increased and that many chill
dren would come to school that other
wise did not.
A number of other superintendent
gave their experiences, and were all
pleased with the system.
Officially Endorsed the Idea.
The committee appointed to report Oh
this matter presented the following,
which was adopted:
Resolved, That it is the sense OF the super
intendents in convention that the school
officers of this state may. and after Aug. ],
1894 shall, purchase text books for the free
use of the pupils of their respective schools.
The report of the committee on ex-
aminations and certificates Of teachers
recommended continuance OF the
method OF examination made use of for
the past year, with the addition OF an
other examination in the month of Au-
gust. Also recommended, that IN case
teachers are absent from the county IN
which they wish TO teach, at the time
the regular examinations are held. that
they be privileged to take examinations
III any county in the state, and that the
papers written at such examination be
sent by the county superintendent of
said county to the county superintendent
of the county in which teachers wish to
teach. The committee recommend that
the proper steps be taken to urge the
enactment of a law providing for state
certificates, which was adopted after a
lengthy discussion. Adjourned.
HE High school Meeting
was held in Room 80. President Il. B.
Alton suggested that President North
ruD. of the University or Minnesota,
and Prof. Van Dyke each name Ole
member of a committee OH nominations.
Il. f. Burk. j. Ii. Lewis aid +. l..
Porter were appointed on the commit
tee.
President Alton named j. c. Bryant
as member of the committee for nomi
nations of officers for the general Sec
ton.
The president read strong paper.
which was followed by an able paper
by President Northrup OH the high
school supervision. A short discussion
followed, and many questions were put
to the president. His characteristic
reparteeS were greatly to the delight OF
the assembly.
a resolution was offered that the high
school board express more clearly the
different grades or the state high school,
but was lost.
A business meeting of the state high
school declamatory association followed.
The committee on nominations were q.
Aylord, of Saltwater; E. A. Cheadle,
Brainerd; e. G. McClelland, Lake City.
They will report at the conclusion Of
the high school business.
a resolution was adopted that tragic
declamationS shall hereafter be dis
pensed with. A motion was made and
carried that two first prizes be offered
ntxt year -one for defamation and the
other Tor recitation, and that TWO con-
teStantS be allowed from each congress
Sional district.
President NorthrOp's Address.
Following is synopsis of the address
of President Cyrus Northrop, on the
subject of high school supervision:
Ine high school board of the state OF
Minnesota is composed of the governor,
the perintendenL of public instruction,
and the president OF the university.
The law OF the state requires that this
board shall cause each school receiving
aid from the state TO be visited at least
once in each school year by a committee
of one or more members, VINO shall care
fully inspect instruction ana discipline
Of the preparatory classes, and make
written report Oh the same Immediately.
Provided, that the said board may IN
their discretion appoint Ill any case
competent persons TO visit and inspect
any schools. and to make report thereon;
and 10 money shall be paid in any case
until after such report shall have been
1CCClfCu anu CAdiDlbtQ Wy luC UOUlus
and the work Of the school approved by
vote of the board.
1t is not expected that the governor
visit high schools as official inspector to
any great extent, and, as Il matter OF
fact, he does not visit them at all. The
superintendent has done most of the
visiting, but his powers are limited, and
his duties are numerous, but he cannot
be at two places at the same time.
To secure such results as we wish
the legislature ought to authorize the
appointment Of visitor with fixed
salary, whose sole duty 1t shall be TO
visit these schools.
Money deposited on or before Jan. 8.
1898, at the State Savings Bank, Ger
mania Life Bldg, 4th and MINI. streets,
will be entitled to six months interest
July l, 1892.