The herald., 1894-04-03

E. P. Rowell, Libbie Murray. Josie
Wright; Rivera, Robt. SHILLING, Mrs.
M. l.. Mcfarland; Rosedale, ]. l..
Smith, Fannie Hays, Ell Cooney, Libbie
Mosher, Elizabeth r. Carr, Julia Ander-
son. Jennie d. Chambers, Nellie s..
Barnes. Eva Nj. Qlick, Kate Carey,
Emma w. Oalif; Santa Monica, N.
F. Smith, Emily J. Gardner. Hattie
Bowles, Carrie Atkinson, Edith L. Lane,
Lizzie Pepper. Emma Wsglie, Bertha
Chamberlin, Geo. II. Prince. w. A..
Lindsey; Rowland, I. J. soully, Mary
E. Caldwell, B. II. Snowman ;
San Antonio, H. T. Shirley !;
San Dimas, Miss Addie Marsh /;
San Fernando, l. j. Spencer, May
Tyler; San Francisquito, Mary g.
Meyer; San Gabriel, G. W. Monroe,
Eliza Quinn, Josephine Maxwell; San
Jose, Julia N. Myers, Irene Dudley I;
San Pedro, Jno. Mahar, Mrs. II. f.
Williams, Jos. d. Connor, j. w. Masher,
Cora Barton; Santa Anita, W j. Hornby,
Pearlo Tritt, Matte Clark; Santa Suz.
ana Leonora johnson Savannah, Jessie
Brunson, Mary e. SAWYER; Soledad
Dora Swain; South Pasadena city, Geo.
W. Wilson, Miss +. M. Snyder, Miss A.
Riggins; Sulphur Springs, Mary
Noonan; Taiauta. r. Hanna: Teiunga,
Nina M. ChRrest; The Palms, w. F..
Bray, s. o. Lang, Mrs. Alice J. Groves
The Pass, Mary E. Baker; University,
Edward Hutchinson, Annie Shields,
Carrie Ledford, Hattie Cover
Vernon, Ada Dryden, Josephine
Dryden, Burney Porter; Vinedals,
Eugenia S. Steiniger; Vineland, Mrs.
Annie Deuel.; West Glendale, Abbie l..
Pratt; West Vernon, Sidney Ii. Moore,
Kate Brodbeck Francis M. House
Wilmington. Charles Latham, Minnie
L. Stout, Nellie Campbell, Fannie Star
bird; Citrus high school, G. L. Mere
dith, Isabella E. Oven Pasadena high
school, Joseph ID. Graham, L. l.. Evans,
Mrs. Theodore Coleman, Mrs. Ella L..
Brundsge; Santa Monica high school,
N. H. Smith, G. [. ID. Moore; Monrovia
high school, j. IL. Strine.
Prof. J. II. Strine, president OF the
county board of education, was then in
troduced to address the teachers on
education in general. Mr.. Strine gave
many figures showing the great progress
OF the cause of instruction in the public
schools of California.
In 1880 this county had 5000 school
children and school property to the
value of 100000 The number of
teachers was then 126. There are now
1000 school children. school prop
erty worth 100000 and teachers to
the number OF 500.
The quality OF the teachers is per
haps better than ever before, but too
many people are optimistic in their
views concerning teachers and progress.
Too many people glory in large figures,
and are apt to imagine that because
there are many teachers and pupils
there is necessarily much learning and
very great benefit to ell.
As member of the county board OF
education, the speaker declared be
could see that many people obtain GER
titicates who should not have them. Our
laws are still very imperfect and, until
they are carefully amended, many will
be legally entitled to teach who have no
business in the school room or in the
work OF training other peoples children.
After a ehort recess, State Superin-
tendent j. w. Anderson spoke on the
condition OF the schools OF the state, as
he observed them in continually travel
ing about the state. Away up in Del
Norte county, where there are but fifteen
teachers, the schools are most excellent.
and many OF the very best schools in the
state are in the sparsely settled districts.
As a rule, the county and city super
intendents are excellent educators.
In the early days, the speaker said he
had been examined IN arithmetic, SPELL
ing and reading by board OF trustees.
He spelled orally and the only word he
was asked to spell was Gheriff. The
a
spell ''sherif'' was able to teach spell
ing. so he WAS appointed. In these days,
the teachers who pass the county exam.
nations are, and must be excellent
scholars. But it is time to call halt In
the matter OF severe examinations.
The woret fault he saw in the school
system lie the matter of uniformity.
There is no elective course in our public
schools. The Almighty, in His wisdom,
made children OF all sorts, and we, in
our ignorance, imagine that we can and
should amend the Creators work by
moulding the whole body of the children
after the same pattern; and that pattern
ie of our own making.
He said he objected to the system OF
examinations for promotion and grsdua-
tion. When he WAS elected county
superintendent in San Francisco he or
dered that there should be no written
examinations for promotion or gradua-
tion. The teachers opposed the plan
because they said they would have no
protection against parents whose chill
dren were not promoted or graduated.
He told them that if any parent objected
to the teachers decision the board
would send some one to examine the
pupil in question.
In the way of providing for teachers
California does well. There are hard
times throughout the country, banks
are breaking on every hand, but the
teachers salary ie not reduced nor does
anyone wish to reduce it.
In spite OF this it would be difficult to
find class of people who are more inn
provident than teachers in general. He
know this all too well, for he had 1een
it with his own eyes and had expert
enced it in his own life For 20 years
he squandered his substance; not in
riotous living, but like the average
-thoughtlessly A time ia COM
ing when you will need your money;
then save it.
About year ago great wrong came
near being perpetrated against the
teachers of California. The speaker re-