Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-05
The Annual Meeting Of the State As
SOciatiOn Closed.
VALUABLE PAPERS DISCUSSED.
One Important Theme Was the
Necessity for Grading the State
School System, So That the
Primary and intermediate
Schools Shall Lead Directly to
the State University-Will Meet
in Shepherdstown Next-Ofa-
GERS Elected.
Special to II. Rsplsss-.


FAIRMoNT, w. VA, July 4.-on
Tuesday evening DR.. Simpson, President
OF the Marietta College, gave spIen'
did talk on the needs OF thorough work
in the primary schools. He asserted
that the college could seldom correct
the mistakes Of the primary teachers.
He make very good impression.
The evening session opened with
music and the reading OF congratula-
tory kilograms from the State Teach
ers Associations of Arkansas, Tennes-
see and South Carolina, followed by a
talk by DR.. P. b. Reynolds, Of the State
University, on "The Relations of the
State University to the State School
system" He said his ideal Of
a school system would be primary
schools with proper organization and
course OF study, graded or secondary
schools, high schools, normal schools
and State university. The State Uni
versity idea seems to be with US col
lege OF letters supported by the State,
but with no connection with the school
system OF the State, started when there
was practically no school system estab-
lished and with no provision for pre-
paration for the University. A better
idea and the more modern would be
school OF colleges with various classical,
scientific and professional courses and
degrees, and with complete and or
ganic connection
WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM
OF the State down to the lowest primary
and Kindergarten grades. The true and
the only real idea should be that the uni
yersity is the school system itself, and
all working for the same end. The West
Virginia University idea has been the
old, is beginning 10 assume the second
stage, and must sooner or later, IL we
intend to keep pace with our sister
States, follow the third. We now have
q great lack of uniformity, resulting
in waste of time and money, because of
the want OF good foundation for the
work OF tho University, and what Is
worse, lack Of that attendance neces-
sary for the best Interests of the State.
Among the essential elements OF
new system, we must grade our common
schools throughout the State, more and
| better schools, the normal schools more
directly connected with the university,
a state educational committee to pre-
pare course Of study, and permanent
| fund for the university. With orr
system properly organized we could
| have 1000 students In the true univer-
sity course.
Dr. Reynolds was followed by Prof.
Il. V. Irish, of Columbus, Ohio, who
made an interesting and profitable talk
on the moral training Of children In the
school and in the home. He said the
object OF school work should be to de-
velop the highest type OF manhood and
! womanhood. This alone can dignity
the teachers work. The teachers OBJ
| ject should be TO enrich the lives OF
those under their care. The physical,
the intellectual and the spiritual should
alike have our care. We
SEND THE YOUNG TO COLLEGE,
not so much to learn Latin and Greek
as to come in contact with strong
manhood and womanhood. What an
inspiration it was 10 come in
contact with DR.. Arnold, OF Rugby.
But give the boys and girls higher In
spiration OF life and they will do better
work in grammar and arithmetic. Prof.
| Irish spoken pointedy OF the value OF
! good books on the life Of the child and
closed with an analytical reading OF
Whittier's, my Playmate" Professor
Irish will be In Wheeling In Septemb ber.
This mornings session was opened
| 81 10 al ~
| Professor Irish. Mr.. Powell read a
thoughtful paper on the true functions
of the county institute work and what
is to be its character in the future,
in which he dwet upon the general dif-
fusion OF institute work throughout the
country, and Of the great value OF the
| contact OF mind with mind In all educa-
tional work. He showed the great
change In the favor in which institute
work is held now and in its incipiency,
| especially In the county OF Marshall. In
In the early years week was attended
grudgingly. now four weeks is scarcely
enough. Mr.. Barnes. of Fairmont, fol-
| lowed, urging the value OF normal work
as compared with the old lecture
| method.
The discussion OF music teaching In
the schools was opened by Miss Maple,
of GIenville, and continued st some
length by various members Of the asso-
citation.
The closing paper of the meeting vas
by Prof. Mitchell, Of Wellsburg. on a
course Of study for the High schools,
and should the Legislature provide for
! il? He stated that there was great
want OF uniformity among the schools,
and an entire lack OF them
IN MANY COMMUNITIES.
1 He believed the State should increase
the curriculum as high as possible, to
be consistent with good work, and to
| make this as practical as true culture
will admit. The subject was discussed
at some length by members OF the asso-
citation.
The Commit on Resolutions re-
| ported, thanking the citizens OF FAR
mont for their very generous treatment
and uniform kindness, and especially
the young ladies having charge OF the
music and banquet; Mr. Barnes for his
efforts on the local COMMITTEES; the rail-
roads for the reduction of fare; DR..
John Simpson and Prof. f. V. Irish, OF
Ohio. for their fraternal assistance; In
favor OF uniform course OF study for
the high schools; in favor OF more
and better secondary schools;
recognizing the West Virginia School
Journal as the official organ Of The As
sociation; urging teachers 10 take up