The San Francisco call., 1896-12-29
President Linscott Reviews the
Years Work and Hopes
for Progress.
Visitors Entertain d by the Norma al
School Alumni Association at
Night.

tion of the California Teachers Associa-
tion, which convened in the Normal
School Hall this afternoon This evening
there were not less than 1900 educators in
the city. The incoming trains were met
by the reception committee and the
teachers escorted to places provided for
them. The leading hotels are filled.
When the convention was called to or
der by President T. w. Linscott in Nor
NAL Hall at O'Clock this afternoon, the
immense hall was filed to oveIfowing.
The place had been prettily decorated
with flowers and vines. The other officers
of the association in attendance were:
vice presidents, Frances A. Dean of San
Fran cisco and F. n. Miller oil San Diego;
secretary, Anna c. Murphy of Berkeley;
assistant secretary, w. +. Hall of Berke-
ley; railroad secretary, ]. w. McClymonds
of Oakland treasurer, Bessie 6. Haslam
of Santa Cruz. After organization had
been perfected, President Linscott read
his annual address, which was in part as
follows:
Another page OF the world history has been
recorded since we met at Oakland one year
ago. The thoughts, words and deeds OF 1896
have become part of the life of the race, and
have left their indelible impress either for
good or evil The successes and the failures
of each individual life have been woven into
the fabric of human events. Let us trust that
the threads OF the former are more numerous
than those of the latter.
Represen ting very important phase of the
educational work of the State, we have
sembied once more to discuss questions apper-
tanning to our vocation, to listen to words OF
wisdom and experience ana to consult with
each other as TO plans Tor renewed activity Tor
the coming year. Let US hope that spirit OF
helpfulness and brotherhood may find place
in each heart, and that we may go forth from
this session stronger, better, nobler, because OF
our sojourn together.
We nave with US this year one whom we de-
light TO honor, not only for the high edpca-
tional position which he holds in our land.
but because OF the place he has won as one OF
the foremost educators OF the age. His mas
terly grasp of educational endeavor from the
kindergarten to the university, his con- tribu-
tions 10 our pedagogical literature and his
earnest sympathy with the common details of
school work have been potent factors in The
advance movement OF education.
/ think we may safely say that there has
been a forward movement educationally
throughout the State during the past year.
The bonds OF union between the several de-
partments of our common labor have been
more closely drawn than ever before aud an
earnest desire for more light Is clearly notice
able.
Our great universities are fulfilling, in
large measure, the prophecies and the prom
lseS OF the past Thousands of young men and
women have possession OF advantages which
Lnelr 1dtDerS ana mOt0erS knew not OF. Inc
commonwealth should be, must be. stronger
because of the work done therein
Our State University finds itself hampered
by lack of accommodation for the youth who
coagregate at Berkeley. The recent report of
the Recorder shows a larger enrolment of
students than at any previous time in it's
history. Surely some measures of relief must
be taken very soon. Poorly lighted and poorly
ventilated recitation-rooms, which would not
be tolerated in an up-to-date school, are
crowded to overfowlng with students.
Recent events indicate that In the near
future California philanthropy will augment
the provisions of the State to such a degree as
shall place the university upon as high
plaue IN temporal things us that on which she
now stands in things Intellectual. In the
meantime we trust that the State will relieve
the immediate pressing necessity, and to this
end every true lover OF education and of Cali
fornia should work.
Our secondary schools, whose phenomenal
growth has been the wonder of the past few
years, have kept pace with the forward move
ment. They are better equipped with teachers
and the necessary appliances for work.
But think one who has carefully noted the
educational movement OF the State cannot
fail 10 have observed that the most hopeful
sign OF better things comes from our ele-
mentary schools. Never before has there been
such professional activity and such an ear
nest desire for broader, deeper conception of
what it is TO be teacher of children. 1t is
noticeable in the work of our teachers ins IT,
tutes, which in many cases have regular stand
ing committees which are studying and in
work, thus binding the thought and the dis
cussfons of one session to those OF the next;
IN the increase in the formation of profes-
sional reading circles; in the carefully pre-
pared and thoughtful reports on the cues
tions proposed for discussion by the Council
OF Education; in the increasing interest of
child-study, which, though it may not have
been scientifically pursued by the individual
teacher, has caused many modification of
methods in dealing with children, and in the
1ngrowing thought among our teachers that
course of study and the true method OF using
it is not the growth of day, but must be the
result OF earnest, thoughtful searching after
truth. May the time soon come when only
those who are willing to work, think and
grow shall be permitted to teach our children,
or be recognized as worthy of the profession.
We owe nueh 10 the earnest, scholarly men
who during the past few years have traversed
the length and breadth OF our Sta te and have
met the teachers of our common schools In
their own localities; have inspired them with
new thoughts and higher ideas of their voca-
tions; above all, have sympathized with them
in .he minute details of schoolroom life. The
helpful, inspiring words OF Brown, Barnes,
Bailey, Griggs and others have cheered the
heart of many country teacher. The infiu-
ence they have exerted upon the lives and
work OF men and women in this common
wealth cannot be estimated.
But after all that might be said OF the favor
able conditions of our schools, after we have
prided ourselves, and justly too. on their ex-
cetlence as compared with other localities. is
there not much TO be hoped for, much to be
WOIhSN iOlb SIc we approximate the lQeal IN
education? There can be no question but that
in N nch of our present work the curriculum
rather than the child itself is made the impor-
tant thing.
Some one has said, s'What man has learned
is OF Importance but what he is, what he can
do what he Will become, are more sig nificant
things" Have We not in the past, are we not
to-day, giving too much prominence to the
knowledge side of education and too little to
the character side.
! believe that our boys and girls average
well with those of other communities, yet one
cannot fail to observe lack of self-depend-
ence, lack of reverence for the true and
noble, a lack OF veneration for the wise and
good. The very life of our Nation depends
upon our ability to coun teract those influ-
en- ces which are constantlyaat work through
slanderous tongues, the printed page and
beastly cartoons, which tend in a large meas
ure to increase irreverence for authority and
for those institutions of government which are
the bulwarks of our liberties.
So educate our youth that in the coming
days politics shall not be considered filthy
pool 10 be abnorred, but rather an opportu-
nifty for service which should not be lightly
esteemed and in which all should be deeply
concerned.
If ! mistake not the signs of the times we are
beginning to see that we must break away
fr ON much of the Journalism OF the past, yea,
even of the present, and give M ore attention
to the deveiopment of human life and charac-
ter. What the world needs in this day of won-
derful activity is q manhood and woman
<<1d1 n 7I1ft- d,,fx