The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-12-28
TEACHERS CONVENTION
1 VERY Interesting Meeting Of Prominent
State Educators.
EVERETT The PLACE NEXT YEAR.
The Yakima Public Profoundly En-.
sersaimed ny Erudite Discussions
of Educational Matters Local 20
This state.

Wednesday morning NJ Masons opera
house at 10. o'clock. Representative
teachers from all portions OF the state
we're In attendance, but the number Of
teachers present was not as large as ex-
pected.
WEDNESDAYS SESSION.
President Barnard, OF Seattle, called
the meeting to order. Miss Emma Shum-
way, of Seattle, was then introduced and
read paper on General History-its
Place aud Purpose" The paper was dis
cussed by the association. A paper on
principles and Methods" prepared by
]. s. Lewis, of Tacoma, was read 10y Mr..
Roberts, the discussion Of which was led
byJ. NJ. Sheffield, of Everett. "Labra-
tory Physics" was paper read by D. l..
Waller, of Pullman, and discussed by W.
NJ. Heiney, OF North Yakima.
In the afternoon session II. X. Cox. oil
Tacoma, spoke on the subject OF How
best to obtain the sympathy and support
OF the directors" Superintendent Turner,
Of Spokane county, presented list Of
questions relative to school work to be
answered by the directors in visiting the
school. A paper on intellectual Train
ing for Citizenship" was read by ID.
Beemis, city superintendent OF Spokane.
He took the broad ground that when the
intellectual and moral tests are met, the
individual is entitled to the right OF fran
chise regardless of sex, age, or national
ity. Subsequently, however. the voting
privilege was restricted to. exclude the
alien until five years. residence, and also
to debar the gambler, drunkard, brothel
keeper and kindred vicious characters.
The sentiment that America must cease
to become a dumping-ground for the re-
fuse of Europe, was roundly appiauded.
In the general discussion the main views
were Endorsed by Rev. Cheadle and Ex-
President Anderson, of Whitman college.
Miss Small, of Seattle, then read paper
on Drawing" in which twas developed
that the popular objection to this branch
is founded in misconception OF the pur-
port. scope aud aim of the work. The
next number was an illustrated lecture
on "Penmanship" by Mr.. Wilson, OF Sc
attic. He held that penmanship is an
important educational factor, not merely
an art to be acquired; that it develops
habits of attention, neatness and accu-
racy. He condemned in unmeasured
terms the "vertical SYSTEM" which is a
fad unwarranted by existing conditions.
He would form letters into family groups
and construct monographs containing the
letters analogously formed.
At the evening session most excellent
music was rendered by the North Yakima
Choral society. Invocation by Rev. Mon
roe Drew. Address OF welcome by Hon.
VIM. F. Prosser. Music by Choral Union.
Response to address OF welcome by Prof.
B. F. Barge. Recitation by Miss Cart
wright, whose word-painting was 80
delightful that she was called back for
second number. Here it was announced
that, as the president Of the association
was suffering from a sore throat which
disabled him from performing the duties
imposed by the constitution OF delivering
the address of the evening, his speech
was read by Mr.. Twitmire, principal OF
the Seattle high school.
THURSDAYS SESSION.
President Barnard was called to Seattle
and Superintendent Turner, of Spokane,
called the meeting to order.
Mr.. Taylor, OF the State University,
read paper on "The State University"
He gave history of this institution, in
which it was brought out that it is the
oldest institution of the state, or north of
the Columbia river. Mr.. Taylor proceeded
to answer the preiudiced criticisms OF the
institution, which he disliked to do, but
was impelled by justice to the people oil
Washington. An honest criticism comes
from the public educators to the effect
that the requirements of the entrance ex-
aminations are too low. comparison
was made with other state universities III
which it was brought out that our state
is not behind others in these require
ments. The speaker desired that the
standard may soon be raised, but until
the work of the high school shall justify
1t, it would be suicidal. 1t wonld place
it beyond the reach of all but very few
bin Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane. A short
history of education in the state was then
read. Mr.. Taylor was followed by Mr..
nssniA-He commended the modesty OF
the faculty Of the university, but though
it verging toward an extreme when in five
state associations he had never met the
president. Mr.. Bryan, of the State Agri-
cultural college, favored unifcation OF
the entire system of instruction through
out the state.
Mr. Conner then spoke in favor Of
bringing up the schools to the proper
standard and then making the university
what it should be.
Superintendent Bean spoke as media
tor between the university and high
school and as member of the board OF
regents. The president here limited the
speakers to five minutes on account of the
interest here developed.
Mr.. Roberts followed. in which he
recommended that committee of the
university visit the high schools, and
frame its course of study to correspond.
The president then appointed a COM
mittee consisting of Mr.. Bingham, Sup
erintendent Bean and Superintendent
Kerr to draft resolutions expressing the
sense of the meeting on the subject.
Miss L. L. West, OF Walla Walls, read
paper on literature in its lower grades
O good, strong, wholesome sentiment,
pleading for a systematic culture of good