New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-28
MIR. MAXWELL AT DENTER.
OBSERVATIONS on THE RECENT EDUCA-
TIONAL CONVENTION.
THE r.pcrsr MEETING IN ale HISTORY OF THE
NATIONAL ASsOCIATION-soME OF
ITS FEATURES

ITS FEATURES
The recent meeting OF the National Educational
Association in Denver attracted marked attention
,roc, tho teachers OF Brooklyn who well repre-
sentcd in rs councils superintendent Maxwell
takcs the warmcs' interest In all educational gatner-
ings and vas one OF the most dilgent attendants al
tho meetings in Denver. In addition. several prln-
cipals OF Brooklyn public schools were on nand'
including Messrs. Merwn. Felter. Campbell steD-
bins and French. and Miss Ella Kelly; about one
hundred and nifty Brooklyn teachers also attended
the meeting.
Supcrn,endert Maxwell returned to Brooklyn a
week ago. having taken long excursion after the
adjournment OF the so,iat.on. and devoted HIM
SELF to business for few day. before starting on
Thursday TO Join his family at Lake Sunapee. y H..
where he vii remain until the last Of August In
talkirg about MS visit to Denver Mr. Maxwell dis
played much enthusiasm over the success Of the
meeting OF the National Educational Association.
which was by far the largest In its history. Much
OF this success he attributed 70 the wonderful eX-
ccutive ability and skill presiding officer dis
played by the president. Or Nicholas Murray Butler
o, Columbia College.
This was" said Mr. Maxwell THE thirty-fourth
meeting OF the National Educational Association.
and It took place In Denver from July to b. The
railroads estimated that they carried l5Vo VISITORS
into Denver. A week ago the number OF paid MEM
berships In the association was ll.3 and this num-
boz Is likely 10 be Increased when the returns are
all in The largest previous meeting was held In
Chicago about six years ago. when there were
800 members Last year. when tho meeting was
held AZ Asbury Park, the number OF memberships
was a little over Goo but that meeting was seri-
ously interfered with by the strike. the arrange
ments at Denver FOR the reception and accommoda-
ton OF the large number Of visitors were most COM
plete and reflect the greatest credit upon superin-
,endent Aaron Cove. OF Denver. who had charge OF
The church In which the general meetings were held
Will accommodate 400 people when crowded. ana
after every important meeting 1t was necessary TO
have the papers repeated in other buildings before
different audiences
PRESIDENT BUTLERS ADDRESS.
Among the important papers presented TO the
association the foremost place should be given - the
annual address OF the president. DR. Buffers ai-
dress was a statement OF what modern philosophy
has to tel US about education. He maintained that
the comp.exity OF modern thought, the novelty and
variety OF It's problems and the high degree OF
specialization 20 which We were prone conceaie'
from view the deeper significance OF modern philos-
ophy and modern science That signhcance was
found in the general consensus at which phllos-
osophers and scientists arriving, that the
primary and underlying energy was spirit This
was as old as Aristotle. hut in this century Hegel
and Hcrber, Spencer had rediscovered and resiatei
a. and illustrated IT from many new points OF view
The oncch dreaded maeralisn. based on crude SEN
sa,lonalistc psychology. had gone forever as phys
les mechanics and mathematics had demonstrated
matter and seen It's manifestations 10 he but forms
OF energy. and philosophy traced all activity OF
energy to sef-actvlty as its primary source
Tho other side OF the shield presented by
the venerable Professor Joseph lie Conte. OF the
University OF California. who spoke Of the effeci
OF the doctrine OF evolution on education. and sur
prsed some OF his hearers by the boldness with
h. al hn N ,ry doct M,
entirety.
OTHER IMPORTANT PAPERS.
Another very remarkable paper was read by
Chancellor Payne. OF the University 81 Nashville
when some years ago he the professor o.
pedagogy In the University Of Michigan. he was re-
garled as one OF the highest authorities on educa
,ional subjects. but in recent years he has done
nothing In that line and this meeting gave many
OF the members their nrst opportunity 70 hear him
which was eagerly avasd Of He spoke on edu
cation according to nature, and made what Is PROB
ably the acutest criticism ever offered Rousseau
Emile and Herbert Spencers book on Education
"Ono who;e session was devoted to the teaching
OF patriotism the most remarkable feature Of whicr
was a paper BY Geore II. Martin. one Of the super
vlsors OF schools in Boston. In which he showed
that we need a renewal OF the old sense OF persona
respons.b Notable addresses were also made
on this subject by two Southern men. Professor
Joseph Baldwin. Of the University OF Texas. and
State Superintendent Preston. OF Mississippi. An
other entire session was given the much-dlscussed
correlation OF studies. in which Assistant Supern
| tendent Farrell OF New-York. criticised severely
tho attempt to introduce correlation or concentra-
ton Of studies at too cary period In the chld's
school NE and strong papers in favor Of correlation
| were presented by President De Garmo. OF Swarth-
more College Profss McMurfay. Of Normal Uni
versty. Illinois. and Professor Jackman. OF the
| Cook county Normal Schoo.
state Superintendent skinner, OF New-York made
his nrst appearance before the National Educa
| hubble opinion which was admirably conceived and
delivered ana well received
HIGH PRAISE FOR NETWORK LEGIsLATION
zone Of the most striking II c.dents OF the meeting
was when Colonel Parker. OF the Cook County
Normal school, In eloquent address on recent
progress In education. declared that the law passed
| last winter by the New-york Legislature making
professional training ne,essiry after January J.
1897 for all teachers In the cities md villages Of the
Empire State. WAS the most promising piece OF
educational legislation enac'ed in Amerca since
ago at Lexington, Mass.
Mr. Maxwell also spoke OF the reception to the
State capito and Of the reception to President
Butler by the state Teachers Association OF
coor nS uo he los. S no Tn was
tmnted he said. that the teachers attending the
meeting had sssm s In cS1sao ina
pointment OF special COMMITTEES to consider and
report the snry Of s arn sshoG w
snperintendent Maxwe.rs pleasure trip after the
Denver meeting took him over the Tennessee and
| Marshall passes to Lemon Springs. Salt Lake city
Colorado Springs. Manitou. the Garden OF the Gods
and other points OF interest. He was especially In
terested in Salt Lake C.ty. which he explored on a
| bIcyc.e In company with DR. Butler. He had a
the aueston-in the famous lake in which 1t IL i'm
possible to sink. and also formed one OF an audi
| red ad