The record-union., 1894-11-27
The TEACHERS COUNTY INSTITUTE.
1t ConveneS at the Sacramento Gram
mar School.
Interesting Addresses by President
Jordan of the Stanford Uni
versity and Others.

The Sacramento County Teachers In
stitute opened yesterday morning at the
Sacramento Grammar School, almost all
the teachers of the county and city being
present.
L. p. Howe was Secretary and Misses
Mamie Feeny and Henrietta Andriot
Assistant Secretaries.
Rev. Henry n. Hoyt offered a prayer.
alter which Miss Rosa Wolfe executed a
very pleasing piano solo in excellent style.
Superintendent Howard said that a
year mad elapsed since the last institute,
and during that year great political and
civil convulsions had ensued. A period
of financial depression had caused the
organization of the Industrial Army and
it had melted away like the snow. 1t
had caused the organization of labor
against capital in such a manner that an
internecine strife had nearly been pre-
cipitated. The great political parties OF
the nation had measured their strength
anfthat of the principles they advocate
before the country. Seismic disturb
ances have wrought great destruction In
the classic regions of the earth, but Call
fornia has not suffered from them.
While business is depressed throughout
the country, not single teacher in Cali
=
They are therefore in condition to give
thanks on Thanksgiving Day for this as
well as many other blessings.
PROFESSOR ANDERSON TALKS.
State Superintendent OF Instruction
Anderson said he was down on the pro-
gramme for an address. He had never
made an address in his life, but he had
talked many times. He alluded to his
coming to this State forty years ago, the
crude condition of the schools at that
time and the contrast now IN The pertec-
tion OF their organization. OF the old
teachers al that time, only he and John
SWEET remain, and they are ready to doH
their harness and retire from active lie.
He read statistics showing that when he
came TO the State there were only eighteen
schools and eighteen teachers, Z, l37 CEN
sus children between and Is years of
age, and there was great scarcity OF
money with which to carry on the schools,
as there was no school tax. Now there
are eighty eight schools, l7S teachers,
5000 census children between D and II
years old, and during the past year $780,
$50 10 has been appropriated III this
county for the use OF the schools. In
1854 there was no school law, and the
school law now is nearly as 1t was when
John SWEET and Andrew Moulder tormu-
lated it. Some improvements have been
made and some things that are the re-
verse have been Incorporated in 1t.
The State Board has rehabilitated the
life and educational diplomas as they
were before the new Constitution was
adopted. 1t has succeeded in making
many other improvements in other direc-
tions. He spoke of the practice of some
teachers who, after they have once OBJ
tanned a certificate to teach, sit down
without further effort. thinking they nave
attained all that is necessary. Although
he came here with a diploma from prob
ably the best collegiate institution in the
country, he had never been satisfied, but
had always endeavored to tit himself to
teach any and all educational branches
even the kindergarten.
The reports show that of over G,000
teachers in the State, only thirty-1our
take an educational journal. They ne
glect their opportunities in this respect 10
widen the sphere Of their usefulness and
ability to place fresh mental IOod before
their pupils. lie urged them to SUBJ
scribe for one or more of the excellent
educational papers published III this
country and enlarge their minds and tit
themselves better for their profession.
They derive much benefit from the insti-
tutes, and should go home and strive to
put the ideas received into practice and
improve upon them.
The schools of this State have increased
since the speaker came, from l6S TO 5,240;
the teachers from 2l4 to over 6,G00 the
census children from about 20, coo to 3l3,-
UUU. luG ScEOO1S Lave h0pG pace Win LD0
improvement in agricultural and other
lines. Instead of a disposition to cut
down the salaries of teachers, there is "A
disposition to pay good salaries and Sc
cure the best talent possible. He sug-
gested many things for the help and
guidance OF teachers, and laid stress on
the importance or making the acqualnt-
ance of and securing the good viii OF par
entS.
Teachers very often make trouble for
themselves by thinking that all their
work lies in going through their daily
,:outine. The people are demanding to-
gay the very best talent on the part OF
teachers, and those who do not keep up
with the times are sure to get left. 1rus-
tees are seeking for the best and know
that as is the teacher, so is the school. He
wanted our home teachers employed
here, and had always discouraged teach
ers coming from the East. He wanted
them to SO fit themselves that they would
be able to hold the field against COMPETE
tion. He had never heard OF a teachers
meeting since he had been in this city,
ana asked why the teachers of the city
did not come together and discuss and
exchange ideas. If teachers do not keep
up with the public demand thoy viii find
themselves superseded,
Speaking of his present term of office.
he said he felt proud OF the work he had
been able 10 accomplish during it. lie
udu given dll Ills llllie anu enthusiasm to
1t, and had not measured the hours of his
work, He would be glad If he could get
his hearers to thinking, and to trying to
put into practice some or the things he
had spoken Of
He advised them to go home and do as
doctors and lawyers do-spend a small
portion OF their earnings in literature that
will keep them abreast OF the times in
their profession.
City Superintendent Erlewine stated in
regard TO the educational journal. that
more than that number were taken by
city teachers. and Professor Anderson
said If that was the case they had not
been reported.
READING.
c. Y. Osborn read paper on ''Read-
ing" lie said it is not difficult thing to
read WELL but it takes much time and
trouble on the part of the teacher PUPILS
In the lower grades should read their
work as well as those in the higher grades
do theirs. He thought the greatest source
OF difficulty lay in the fact that the pupils
do not understand what they are trying
10 read. Their minds do not grasp the
new words, and they are CROPPING to find
the meaning. he gave as his opinion
that the child should not have its work
done for ii, and cannot too early be taught
that they must dig for themselves, and
must learn self-reliance. He related a
number of anecdotes, showing how chill
dren learn to read mechanically, and
without thought of what they say and
viii adopt any suggestion while so doing,
without thought of its unfitness.
One of the essentials of good reading is
proper emphasis, and the pupils reading
will always be fiat and improbable If he
is not taught in this particular. Many