St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-30
BRIGHT TOPICS ON TAP
AT The CONTENTION or TIE STATE
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
ALL BRANCHES KEPT BUSY

High School and Musical De-
partments-The County Super
intendents - Election OF Off
cers-To Meet in Sc. Paul Here
afser-Geaeral Doing.
Yesterday was a busy day for the
state teachers association, the several
branches getting down to work at an
early hour. There were four depart
ments in session all day at the Central
high school. the number and diversity
OF the papers read exceeding those OF
any Of the preceding sessions.
The high school department listened
to an interesting paper by S. A. Farms
worth, principal OF the st. Paul high
school. Oh the Functions of the High
School as Preparatory School Fitting
fer Active, Practical Life"
:, Mr.. FarDsworlh was of the opinion
that more time in the high school should
be given to mathematics. He was of
i'll bookkeeping was worse than useless.
There should be a more thorough
course or none at all. The study OF
| history as now carried on tended too
much OF series Of wars and rebellionS
| and did not deal enough with the life
| and progress of the people of whom it
treated. The greatest achievements
have been made i'll the quiet walks of
life. The speaker suggested that high
schools adopt some system by means of
which pupils could be prepared for
teachers. The country schools receive
most of their teachers from the high
GnhhgIS a 10
part of the young teacher is getting to
be decidedly necessary.
The discussion of this paper was
opened by w. f. (. Shelleck, of Austin.
WHO, in speaking of the governing of
the nigh school boy. said that the pupil
should be treated neither as a CHILD nor
allowed the freedom OF the college man.
The tobacco and other habits should be
looked after by the school teacher, and
strong effort made to get the boys to
refrain from these habits till they be-
came of age.
"How Can the Common School Be
More Closely Linked to the High
School?' was handled by J. A. Van
Dyke, of Wabasha. The state high
school board could aid the common
school by extending to them the state
high school examination. The speaker
took occasion 10 roast gently the prop
osition of Mr.. Soaring 10 make new
grammar. Mr.. Van Dyke recommended
that the principals of high schools make
an effort TO get the names of their inSli-
tutiOnS spread throughout their vicinity
and thus draw more pupils from the
common schools. A weekly column of
high school news IN the local papers
would be a good plan. The speaker re-
marked that lie thought county superin-
va
average salary being $500 per year. The
common school is all important. and the
county superIntendentS should be bet
ter paid and guaranteed their positions
as long as their work is satisfactory.
The committee on nominations re-
ported the following officers for the ell
suing year, the report being adopted:
President, ". J. Schmidt, Albert Lea;
vice president. Ii. G. Hess, Sleepy Eye;
secretary, Miss Dora Wells. st. Cloud
The meeting then split halves for the
round table conference, which was 10
discuss the teaching of sciences in the
high schools.
At the meeting of county superin-
teudents resolution was adopted pro-
viding that IN future all meetings OF
the association shall be held at the state
capitol in st. Paul, providing the use
or the building can be secured II ON the
proper officials.
The committee on resolutions present
ed one favoring the extension of high
school examinations to rural schools. 1t
also proposed to have a teacher ap-
pointed for each graded school to give
instruction in the branches specially for
the preparation of pupils as instructors.
The resolution also joined i'll the gen.
eral petition for the state capitol as the
place for future annual meetings. The
report was adopted.
The nomination committee had but
one name to propose for president. and
that was 5. J. Race, of Redwood coun-
ty. The secretary was Instructed to
cast unanimous ballot for the gentle
man, and in every nomination following
this was done, with the following re-
suits: Vice president, Supt. L. 3. Nc
helvie, Dakota county; secretary, Flora
Frost, jackson county; treasurer, Fan
ME Lapham, Houston county (re-elect-
ed; reading circle vacancies, Supts.
Schultz and Chapman.
In the music department the first
paper read yesterday morning was by
Antoiuette Choate. of this city. She
took for her topic Music in the Kin
dergarten and Its Influence Upon the
Child" The paper was illustrated by
vocal selections rendered by Miss
Choate. George E. Krinbill. of Red
Wing, followed with a plea for
Music. Music he believed TO be great
civilizing power. The governments of
Europe recognize this fact, and make it
a part of the school education. Music
has a high moral influence in the fam
lily, and should be foStered in the home
Loyalty should be taught the growing
boys and girls in the public schools
through the mediumship of patriotic
songs. From an intellectual point of
view the study of music stimulates and
trains the minds of children. 1t stimu-
lates TO greater activity, trains the OBJ
seryation and attention, gives the power
of correct hearing and comparison. de-
velOps the true conception OF pitch,
rhythm, etc. Very few studies in public
schools today require greater multiple
ity Of mental actions. and as a school
study it has passed the experimental
stage and its value is generally recog-
niZed.
Miss May Usher Griffin, of Mankato,
gave a plain, practical talk on Music
i'll Primary Grades" supporting many
lined in the first two papers. Many
illustrations of the method OF teaching
were furnished by the author.
The last paper of the morning was
read by Miss Harriet Wilson, of Fari-
bault, and was on the topic, "What
Part Shall the Artistic Play in Music?''
The annual election of officers resulted
as follows: President, G. II. Congdon,
st. Paul; vice president, May Usher
Griffin, Mankato; secretary, Carrie Y.
Smith, Red Wing. A vote of thanks to
the officers who served during the past
year was adopted.