The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-24
PROF. GOSS ARRIVES
NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
SCHOOLS IN THE CITY.
He FavOrs Manual Training Methods
Which Are n Part of the Ger
man System.

Prof. David X. Goss. the new superin-
tendeDt of the public schools, arrived in
this city yesterday afternoon at 2:50 o'clock.
He left Heidelberg, Germany, Oh the morn
ing Of Aug. 4. He came TO this country by
way of Rotterdam, Holland, and Liverpool,
and took passage on the steamer Cam
pania. He left Queenstown at l o'clock on
the afternoon of Sunday, Aug. II, and
reached New York Friday evening. He
started for this city Tuesday morning.
superintendent Goss is of medium stature
and build. He wears his beard in the point
ed style and INDUCES in American tailor
fashions. He is thirty-three years old, and
for one of his age has studied much, and
has had extensive experience in education
al lines. He was born in Gosport, Owen
county, this State. He went through the
schools of that village and entered the
Indiana University in 1882. During his
course there he made a speciality of peda-
gogy. He graduated with honors in 1887. He
was a teacher in the Rochester schools
during the season of 1SS7-SS. and principal
Of the Frankfort public schools in 1889.
For the two following terms ne was super
intendent Of the schools at Lebanon, and
the next year went to Cornell University.
At the end of the year the Andrew White
fellowship was conferred upon him. The
year was spent in special study of history
and political science. He was i'll for sew
eral months, and that delayed his entering
the university at Berlin, Germany. lie
studied there for six months and then en-
tered Heidelberg University. This was in
the spring of 1893. He was at the universe
ty when his present position was offered
him.
He said last night that he did not know
personally any of the members of the
School Board. and the only communication,
he said, he has had with any of them was
when he received a cablegram from Presi-
dent Martindale stating that he had been
elected superintendent and asking him if
he would accept. On being asked in re-
gard to any changes that he might make
Mr.. Goss said: AS to my intentions regard
ing the superintendency of the indianapolis
schools L can only say that 1 must first
get acquainted with them before formulat-
ing any policy. These schools have at
tanned under the efficient management Of
Prof. Jones and his assistants, of whom
l remember Prof. Hufford, Prof. Emmer-
ich, Miss Nicholson and Miss Cropsey, a
standard OF excellence which has given
them a reputation all over this country and
In Europe. L think that the indianapolis
public schools rank highest in this country
for efficiency in work. Upon these assist
ants a new superintendent must rely, and
with their counsel and cooperation / hope
to maintain the high standard reached and
to move forward"
superintendent Goss is heartily in favor
of a thorough manual training course. He
said that it was a part of the German
training, and that if the course had not
already been in force here he would have
m to introduce it, as he said he
saw the great beneficial results on the stu
dents in Germany.
he said that the German methods of edu-
cation were not much used in this country.
\ Inn Herman teachers as a rule a rA wood
en-" He said the Americans were far
ahead of the Germans in everything but
scholarship. Mr.. Goss is a bright CONVEX
sationalist. His words are full of vigor
and his manner attractive. Speaking about
German students be said. They are just
the same Kind of fellows that may be found
in our higher universities. First, there are
the sons of the nobility. They 80 to Held
elberg with a good stock OF knowledge and
reach about what is required OF the pre-
p~aratory student at Harvard. Once in the
university they lead a life of enjoyment,
which is much merrier than any known by
American students. Tt is among this class
that the reported cruel duels with swords
are fought. These students have their
aggerated. In the second class are found
the poor and hard studying men. who are
instilled with ambition and whose effective
ness is not excelled anywhere in the world.
1t Is in this class American students are
found. The Americans stand a good show
with the in this class, for | think
that this country can furnish intellect I'M
excelled anywhere"
Mr.. Goss was on the Campania when that
vessel broke the ocean record for the
western trip from Queenstown to New
York. The trip was made in five DAYS.
nine hours and twenty-nine minutes. THE
Campania,' he said, left Queenstown at
1 O'Clock on the afternoon of Sunday, Aug.
u. There were taken on board 999 sacks of
mail. As We steamed away from Queens
town all the passengers watched the face of
Captain Haines, hoping that they would
get some evidence that an attempt TO
break the record would be made. They
were not disappointed. The great vessel
cut through the water at a rate never
equaled before. II might be thought that
some OF the passengers were nervous, but
they were not. The vessel is SO big that
five trips around the deck make a mile. and
day. or the coast OF Newfoundland we were
compelled TO 20 at slow speed on account OF
a dense fog. We lost fully half an hour.
At an unexpected moment and also so
quickly that We hardly knew IL was on. the
south wind rose and the fog was gone.
Captain Haines ordered the engines at full
speed and we were once more started for
the record. The Captain was after another
bit OF fame. Never before in the history
OF the world had a vessel left Queenstown
at | o'clock Sunday and arrived I'm New
York In time to discharge it's passengers
on Friday. | say leaving Queenstown at /
o'clock, because none OF the mail steamers
leave that city before that time on sun
days. They are compelled TO wait for the
London mail, which is sent part OF the
way by rail and the rest OF the way b.
water. The quarantine officer at New York
bay closes his Office at shutdown, and after
We left Fire Island we had 10 do some
record breaking speed 70 catch him before
sundown. After we left Fire Island the
vessel was put through at full speed. We
caught the officer all right and landed a;
New Tork az seven minutes OF 6 O'clock.
Captain Haines was a proud man. Great
number OF craft Of all kinds met us in the
bay and We were greeted with cheers and
deafening whistles"