Middletown transcript., 1894-05-19
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.
A State Association Formed in Smyrna
Last Week.

A State Association Formed In Smyrna
Last Week.
The meeting calling together the princi-
pals of the State to organize an association
for the purpose of promoting more uniform
conclusions and better method of teach.
ing began its session in Smyrna high school
last Friday. Most of the day was taken up
in establishing a constitution and election
of permanent officers. ]. H. George of
Odessa, was appointed temporary chairman
and W. Hastings, of Kenton, was Secre-
tary.
| Those eligible to become members are the
county superintendents, the principals of
the high school and school superintendent
of Wilmington, and the principals of all
| other schools in the State, outside of Will
mington, aving at least two departments
with one regularly employed assistant.
The following officers were elected for
the ensuing year: President, A. Duncan
Yocum; First Vice President, W. B. Tharp;
Second Vice-President, d. B. Jones; Sec
retary c. B. Morris; Treasurer, Franklin
Brockson.
During the morning session John c.
Stockley. trustee of DelawarelCollege, gave
an address concerning the action of the re-
cent investigation committee, and urged
the principals of the State to take a more
kindly interest in the institution. He
statedlthat the impression had gone out that
principals were not in sympathy with the
president of the college, and now since he
has been exhonorated he hoped compro-
mise would be made by which students of
the public schools could be prepared to enter
college.
committee of three was appointed to
draft resolutions concerning Delaware Col
lege and submit them to the association be-
fore adjournment.
| SATURDAY.
The programme of the closing session
was an exceedingly interesting one. 1t
promoted educational ideas land brought
out important school topics, for which
an opportunity has never been given un-
| til the present organization went into ef-
feet
After the installation of officers the pro-
gramme was taken up and discussed under
four topics. The first was: "Does the Free
Text Book law offer more than former
laws"
This was debated feely, after which Prof.
W. B. Tharp, of Middletown, offered the
following;
Resolccd, That the law should definitely
give to incorporated schools greater liberty
| in the selection of text books on additional
| branches and supplementary work.
The second topic What changes
should be made in existing school law"
This opened a motion for legislative COM
| mittee. which prevailed President Yocum
appointed three members one from each
| county, as standing committee, composed
of J. E. Carroll, Kent connty; Herman Roe.
New Castle, and Walter Sparklin Sussex.
The duty of this committee will be to in
vestigate the matter mentioned in topic
| and report the result of same, with recon-
| mendations from time to time, as the as
sociatiOn may require, and present gen
eral report at its regular annual meeting.
Prof W. B. Tharp, following this, offered
set of resolutions which OH motion was
referred to the Legislative ommittee:
RESOLVED, That at least one day per
annum be given to each teacher for the
purpose of visiting other schools.
I'd. step be taken toward making it
easier for ambitious pupils in district schools
| to obtain the advantages of the incorpor-
ated schools that the latter may become
| central High Schools for surrounding
districts.
3rj. Clearer distinctions should be
drawn by law between the privileges and
duties of district and incorporated schools.
4th. There should be revision and codi-
| fication of school laws.
5th. That the State Board be authorized
| to prepare examination papers and that
| they be made uniform and held on one day
in the State and one set Of questions to be
used.
On the same topic Prof. J. H. George
introduced set of resolutions:
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Legis-
lation take into consideration q law now
standing upon our statute books where tie
law requires that collector shall pay over
l 6ll NQOnleS upon uupllCdte WltulH oo unyo
from the date Of his receiving such dup
licate.
The next topic and one of the most i'm
portant was; "It is possible to have uni
form curriculum in this State?" Superin-
tendent C. C. Tyndal of Kent county was
called upon to talk on the subject as be for
the past two or three years has been giving
i f,,l c{,,1y usc Ec
ably and clearly expressed, and opened
line of argument which occupied consid-
erable time.
The question of Delaware College was
brought up. Principal Joseph Handy OF
Newark Academy stating that it was the
wish of DR.. A. N. Raub; Its president, to-
have the standard Of the public schools
so that students finishing their course may
enter OIL certificate to Delaware College
The discussion ended by committee be.
ing appointed to look into and prepare
uniform grade and submit to the associa-
tion at the next meeting.
The last topic: "What should be the re-
lation between districts and grades schools:
was opened by Prof. ]. E. Carroll of Dover.
who gave forciable address. He thought
that when pupil had finishek
limited grade in a district or country school
he should be allowed the privilege of enter
ing a town graded school free of tuition
and to that end the difference in taxes
should be eqalfzed.
The session was concluded by hearing
the report of committees on resolutions
As to Delaware College, the following was
submitted and adopted.
ResolUed, That we, the Delaware State
Principals Association, are in perfect SYM
pathy with every educational interest and
institution in the State and are ready to-
meet any movement looking to the ad.
vancement Of education.
Those present were as fellows: Supt.
Roman Tammany, of Sussex county; Supt-
C. c. Tindal, of Kent county;:L L. n. Carsonr
Little Greek; ]. Fl. George, Odessa, w Ps
Hastings, Kenton; d. B. Jones. Georgetown;
franklin Brockson, Marshallton; C. B: