New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-03


largest and most widely representative gatherings
OF it's kind that ever assembled in this country
Teachers and scholars were gathered there not
only from Michigan but from Illinois. Indiana. Wis
consin, Iowa. Missouri. Ohio New-lork. Pennsyl-
vania. New-Jersey and Maryland. Few members
OF the conference from New-England. but
many of the more prominent delegates from col
leges outside of New-England were graduates OF
Harvard, Brown and Yale.
Among the university professors present were
William G. Hale and Paul G. Shorey. of Chicago
University George l.. Hendrckson. of the Uni
versity OF Wisconsin: William G Manly of Mis-
souri, f. A. Bechte and w. w Bishop. of North
western University; w. +. Palmer. of Lake For
est University; c. NJ. Moss. Of the University Of
Illinois; Horace A. Hoffman. of the University OF
Indiana II. ". Johnson of Dennlson College; j.
Il. Smith, OF Ohio State University; :. h. Platner
and 5. c. Derby. Of Adelbert College: Charles T.
Bennett of Cornell Andrew +. West. OF Princeton
Sidney G. AshmOre of Union; Henry F. Burton
OF the University of Rochester; H. w. Magoun. OF
Oberlin; Miss Esther b. Van Derman. of Wellesley;
Samuel Brooks. OF Kalamazoo College: G. +. Dixon
of Ovet College, besides Professors Kelsey, Rolfe
Drake. Hempel. Pattengill Eden. NJ. l.. DOoge
and De Con, OF the University OF Michigan.
Among the representatives OF the schools were
A. F. nightingale. Superintendent of High Schools
Chicago; Principal W. II. Butts. OF the Orchard
Lake Military Academy and president of the Michi-
gan School Masters Club; Principal Hall, OF the
Calumet High school; Edwin l.. Miller. OF the En-
glewood High School. Chicago: John c. Hanna, OF
Columbus. Ohio 4. |. Doty, of High School No. /.
Indianapolis; Miss Mary L. Miner OF the Detroit
High School; Isaac b. Burgess. OF Morgan Park
Academy. Illinois: superintendent =. NJ. Townsend.
OF Marshall. Mich; j. 6. PattenGil. principal OF
the Ann Arbor High School; William Page OF Lake
View High School. Chicago: Oliver :. Westcott, of
Chicago and many more The total number OF
persons in attendance exceeded 400 About
fourth of these were women.
The object of the conference was to bring together
as many persons possible engaged in the study of
the ancient classics; closer bond of union
between the universities and schools, and in
particular to promote a more distinctly "profes
sionai spirit among teachers of Latin and Greek.
The conference opened Wednesday morning
with address of welcome by W H. Butts. pre;i-
dent of the Michigan Schoomasters' Club, Profess
sor Ashmore, of Union College. acting chairman.
A few remarks in reference 70 the great classical
scholars of the past were made by President An
CELL. of the University. and then Professor Francis
W. Kelsey announced the aim and purpose of the
conference. He discussed the claims of the ancient
classics 10 place in the modern system of educa-
ton. and pointed out that these claims should
rest upon either tradition prescription" If"
said Professor Kelsey. Latin and Greek are
better educational instruments than anything that
can take their place: If there be found studies
the pursuit Of which, in the same time and under
like conditions, will produce better results in the
training of our youth. then away with Virgil and
Cicero. Xenophon and Homer Thus far. however,
we may freely say :hat no substitute has been
found" Professor Kelsey also made the following
points: That the tendency OF educational opinion at
present Is against a mere smatterng of anything;
that it favors small number Of studies rather
than a large one, and advocates such an allotment
of time to each study shall secure the best
suits. Accordingly he advised the boy and girl TO
begin the study of Languages early in life, when
vocabuares easily mastered. and when the sci
ences and intermediate mathematics are not de-
ms iuP mi al he %
parent" ne went on 10 say, that in educational
movements the initiative must be taken by those
charged with the work of education. Who will show
the path if We DO not search it out for ourselves?
The study of Latin and Greek is so closely inter
with the rest Of our educational system that
it cannot be dealt with separately. The consiiera
lions to be advanced In discussing its function and
place in secondary education reach backward 70 the
primary school and forward to the university. They
are not 10 be treated witan the narrow horizon Of
a speciality, but in the broad foundation OF peda-
gogical principles In the light of these facts, 1t
does 10 me, fellow teachers, that We cannot
but feel a deep sense OF professional response
biy."
At the conclusion of Professor Kelsey's remarks
the reading of papers became the order OF the ses
sion and Professor Ashnore announced the fol-
lowing: "Cn the Origin OF Mythology" By Pro
fessor c. f. Dixon. of Olvet College; Some Aspects
OF the Worship OF Augustus, By w. d. Baker, Of
Battle Creek High School: "The Development Of
the Patria Potestas" by f. A. Bechtel OF North
western University; THE Sources Of Our Know
edge Of the Pronunciation Of Latin" by Professor
John c. Roife. OF the University Of Michigan;
"Notes on Hidden Quantities in Latin" by Pro-
fessor Charles T. Bennett Of Cornell University
The last two papers excited unusual interest. and
remarks were made upon them by the chairman and
other members of the conference
A committee then appointed TO consider and
report on the question. What should be the prepa
ration Of persons who purpose 10 teach Latin and
Creek" II though, best to make this COM
mittee large one and as widely representative
as possible. The following members of the con-
ference were appointed; Professor F. W. Kelsey
of the University OF Michigan: Professor G. NJ
Moss Of the University of Illinois, Professor j. r.
Smith, OF the Ohio State University; Professor Will
lam G. Hale. Of the University Of Chicago: Pro-
fessor George l. Hendrickson of the University
OF Wisconsin: Professor William G. Manly of the
University Of Missouri; Professor Z. A. Bechtel
OF Northwestern University, Professor Charles f.
Bennett Of Cornell University; Professor Sidney g.
Ashmore. of Union College; Professor Andrew r
West Of Princeton University; Professor Alfred
Guderan Of the University OF Pennsylvania Pro-
fessor Brown, OF Franklin College; Principal \. r.
Nightingale. Superintendent OF Schools Chicago;
Isaac Il. Burgess OF Morgan PARK Academy ILL.,.
and Daniel w Lothman of the Cleveland High
School This committee met in the evening OF the
same day. with Professor Charles +. Bennett in
the chair and after prolonged discussion adopted
a resolution drawn up by Professor Bennett which
was submitted 10 and unanimously carried by the
conference on the following day The resolution
was as follows:
Resolved That this conference desires TO ex-
press its sense of the importance OF a thorough
training for teachers in al grades OF classical in
struction. Especially does II urge adequate prep
aratlon for the work of secondary education. The
instructor should know much more than he Is called
upOn 10 mpart 10 his pupils. In the high school the
ideal teacher of .nc classics Will be one VINO ma;
uate a nd graduate but who also by instinct and
training possesses the enthusiasm to add constantly
TO past attainment by new study.
The Wednesday morning session closed with the
announcement by Mr.. Pattengill OF the following
State vice presidents. who were 10 preside at the
various sessions: Michigan. Professor Hamilton
King Of Olivet College; New-York. Professor Sid
ney G. Ashmore, OF Union College; New-Jersey.
Professor Andrew f. West, of Princeton; Pennsyl-
vania. Professor Alfred Gudeman. OF the University