Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-07
THE COUNTY TEACHERS.
The Committee of Twelye's Work Ably Pre- sented by Dr. Phillips-The Second
 Session Very Interesting.

The institute began its proceedings again yesterday morning shortly after o'clock, though the regular programme for the day was not observed as pre- arranged, owing to the absence Of some who were to take an active part in the exercises. However the attendance was good and a growing interest manifested in the work.
 After the opening prayer by pr. Dill Miss Julia Witherspoon of the Bessemer schools ably introduced the subject, How to Teach Reading.
 Miss Jennie Allen of North Birming- ham followed with a complete view or the theme, Advanced Reading" This subject drew out considerable discussion among those present, the drift of which was to the end that reading is of first importance, both as primary and mn ishing course of study, and the neglect of this one branch of education was H. lustrated by a statement that 90 per cent of the college men of today cannot read well. The substitution of histories for reading was conceded to be mistake.
 Miss Bradshaw engaged the attention of the institute with finished presenta- tion of Plan for Teaching English to Children Under F Years of Age She commended the sentence analysis sys- tenn as employed in the public schools but was inclined to the view that the predicate should at first be omitted In order to avoid confusing the child, and only the subject and object taught.
 Professor Whitmire followed with an eXtemporaneous talk on the same sub ject, in which he exhibited a thorough acquaintance with the obstacles to be overcome as we'll as the most desirable ends that might be attained.
 , Night Session.
 The institute assembled at o'clock last night, and was presided over by Vice-President H. P. BurriSS.
 ''The Teachers Lyceum" was discussed 5by pr. Solomon Palmer of the East Lake Atheneum. Dr. Palmer warmly recom- mended to the teachers of the county the course prepared for this year. He stated that the course would consist of study of the report of the Committee of Eff teen on Correlation of Studies "kel- logg's Educational Foundations" Shake speare's Henry VIII" and the "Educa- tional Exchange" The total cost for the books and membership is $2 All of the Birmingham city teachers have formed circles and are actively at work.
 Prof. J. B. Cunningham made some additional explanations in regard to the work, and a number of questions were asked by tse members of the institute.
 The next subject on the programme was ''rhe Work of the Committee Of Twelve" Dr. J. H. Phillips, who is member of this committee, had been placed on the programme for the discus sion of this question.
 Dr. Phillips spoke of the work of the committee of ten on Secondary Educa- ton," and the committee of fifteen on the Correlation of Studies" These have become classics and are known and quo ted throughout the educational world. Their authors are leaders of educational thought. At the Denver meeting of the National Educational association paper was read by Superintendent Henry Sabin of Des Moines Ia., on Rural Schools, which elcited unusual interest. The as- sociation determined to appoint com mittee whose duty 1t should be to inquire into and report upon the problems con fronting rural schools. This is the work of the committee of twelve. The commit tee consists of the following members: Henry Sabn, Iowa, chairman; B: A. Hinsdale, Michigan; D. l.. Kiehle, Minne- Sota; w. T. Harris. Washington, D. C.; A. B. Poland New Jersey; c. c. Rounds, New Hampshire; J. H. Phillips, Alabama; s. T. Black, California; w. S. sutton, Texas; C. R. Skinner, New York; l.. B. Evans, Georgia, and l.. b. Wolfe Mis- souri.
 A special committee has outlined the work for the general committee, and all the members are diligently at work. The importance of this work is evident The town and city schools have received an undue share of attention. Population IS drifting from the country districts into the cities, and hence the country schools should be improved first and their in- fluence will react upon those Of the cities.
 The committee has subdivided it's work into four great departments and assigned a subcommittee to each department. These departments are as follows: CD hSchool Maintenance;" @ "School Super vision;" (3) Supply of Teachers;" O sInstruction and Discipline"
 School maintenance is a vexed ques- tion. Under this head the committee will consider: Q) Revenues, @ distri- button, (3) organization. There are three maintenance of schools now In vogue, wiz: Endowment funds, state taxation or appropriation, and local taxation. Forty-eight states out of forty-nine provide for local taxation in one form or another The speaker said he would refrain from mentioning the names of the forty-nine states. He said that the committee would probably rec ommend local taxation with the town ship or county as the unit of taxation, thus bringing the responsibility for the maintenance of schools as near home to the people as possible. Objection Is made by wealthy communities paying taxes to support schools in the backwoods. This is un-American and not In accord with our institutions. The child is not ed- ucated at public expense for his own ben efit but that he may become better cit izen and that he may add his influence for good government and the advance ment of his county and state. The ob dection suggested above is a short sighted policy and unworthy of high minded and patriotic citizen.
 Other phases of the committees work were outlined by Dr. Phillips. and from