The record-union., 1894-12-27
Special to the RrcoRD-UE1oN.

Special to the REcoRD-UEIoN.
SANTA CRUZ, Dec 26.-The California
State Teachers Association began three
days session at the Congregational
Church this afternoon. Local committees
received the visiting teachers at the depot
with band. The church was crowded
this afternoon when President Kleeber-
ger of San Jose called the association to
order. In the audience were prominent
educators from all parts of the State.
Many superintendent of Schools were
present, besides professors from the
universities and the normal schools.
After an invocation by Rev. j. A.
Crusan and singing, the Committee on
Amendments was appointed. 1t Is pro-
posed to introduce an amendment chang
ing the time of meeting so 1t will be dur
ing the holiday week. The time will be
left with the Executive Committee.
Professor Kleeberger, in his annual ad-
dress, made suggestions for the better
nent of the public school system. He
said that the present system IS not as
good as it should be, and that improve
ments should be rapidly made, so that
education could be kept within the
march OF progress. He condemned the
State in the control OF politicians, also
the influence eXerted by political bosses
in procuring positions for their friends.
lie said:
ut frequently happens that while in
telligent citizens are asking Tor better
schools, the ward politicians are making
the condition such as to bar the path OF
educational progress. So long as public
economy begins with reducing school APP
preparations, so long will schools fall
short of being the best, and so long as a
political pull controls the appointment
of teachers, so long will the best culture
and character be too rare at the teachers S
desk, and so long will an unregenerate
public be the inevitable product of the
school. If all teachers would discharge
their full duty in the best possible way,
even under the present conditions, the
conditions would rapidly grow more
favorable. So long as the teachers will
resort to political methods, so long will
political bosses 1eel Tree to Till the school
rooms with incompetent tavorlties. If
teachers would be free from the thraldOm
OF politicians, they must refuse to profit
by political intrigues."
Professor kleeberger spoke at length
on child culture as a means toward ar
irving at the best educational results. He
said that teachers must Undue their pu-
pills by practice, as well as by precept, SO
that in The next generation race of clear
hearted and clear headed men will sweep
away the bosses. Teachers should stand
firmly against the bosses, who would
prostitute the public school to further
their vile purposes. The curriculum
should broaden the child's environment
and to do so there should be correlation of
related subjects and concentration OF the
childs effort upon few lines Of research
and thought.
Professor George II. Howeson read a
paper on the school Curriculum"
In the discussion that followed Pro-
fessQr Earl Barnes. c. Ii. Keyes, w. f.
Hall, 2. w. Searcy and others partici-
pated.
This evening reception was given to
the teachers at the Seabeach Hotel. There
were addresses of welcome and music
Professor Jordan, who was to lecture.
is unable to fulfill his engagement, hav-
ing gone to Mexico. His place will be
taken by Professor Bailey of the State
University.