Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-07-22
Teachers Institute.

L
Institute, opened with large attendance
The exercises began with singing by the
teachers and prayer by Rev. j. Z. stump
of the NJ. E. Church, South. Prof. Hodges
delivered long lecture on Current His
toryn and "History of Africa" Rev. DR..
G. n. Campbell, principal of John Stephen
son Seminary, at this place, appeared before
the institute and asked the cooperation OF
teachers in educational work, and stated he
would aid in the common cause of educa-
ton. Miss Laura c. Strider, who has been
engaged in missionary work in Japan aud
also in Mexico, read an interesting paper on
"Froevels Method of Teaching and the
Kindergarten System" During the after
noon session Prof Hodges lectured on Lam
guage and School Government"
The last days session of the Teachers
Institute opened with vocal music by the
teachers and prayer by Rev. j. W. Tongue,
of the NJ. E. Church, South. Prof. Hodges
began with lecture on psychology aud
then discussed the textbook law of West
Virginia, which regulates the books to be
used in the public schools, the price to be
paid, and establishes repositories for same
in each county. In the afternoon session
Prof. Hodges delivered an impressive ad-
dress on the moral training pupils should
( receive from teachers under the text, "Train
up child in the way he should CO." The
committee on resolutions, consisting OF E.
b. johnson, George P. Shirley and E. j.
Williams, reported several resolutions,
among which was resolution fsvoring
statute to furnish textbooks free to pupils
of the public schools. This resolution was
strongly advocated by the committee, but
met with opposition. Prof Wright Denny,
of the Charles Town graded school, led the
opposition to the resolution on behalf oil
the taxpayers. The resolution was adopted
by vote of Is to 2l-not Onehalf OF the
members of the institute voting. Miss Laura
c. Strider then made vigorous speech in
opposition, and n motion to reconsider was
adopted and the resolution defeated by a
large majority.
The following are the resolutions adopted :
] Resolred LIST. That we again most earnestly
call the attention of the Legislature Of West
Virginia TO the injustice and cruelty of that
section of our school law which requires teach
ers to attend upon institute work at time
when teachers are in the midst of their sum-
mer vacation, when the atmosphere IS most
depressing and least suspicious Tor mental Gull
ture: and that we petition the Legislature
| TO amend said section so that said institute
work can be accomplished within the time oil
actual school employment
End, That in the death of our brother-teach
er and friend. J. r. Farmhouse, we recognize
the hand of God and bow in meek submission
! TO His will.
srd That we tender his family our sincere
| sympathy and that God will give them grace
to humblv submit to His divine visitation.
4th. That a vote of thanks be rendered Rev.
A A. p. Neel our county superintendent for
his general kindness and efficient management
of the present session of institute.
9Th. That a vote of thanks be rendered Col.
Hodges for the magnificent manner in which
he has conducted the institute work, and trust
that in the future he may lind 1t convenient 10
often visit our county.
9th. That vote of thanks be rendered the
ministers of Charles Town for their kind at
tendance and services during the session of the
institute
eth, That vote of thanks be rendered Mrs.
J. C. Wiltshire for use of organ during institute
Sth, That a vote of thanks be rendered the
county officers for use of courthouse for in
stitute purposes.
E. b. JOHNSON Oh mn,
Isaac BOHNAM.
Miss LAURA HOWELL,
Miss BESSIE TAYLOR,
ALEX. II. FREEMAN,
Committee.
A resolution favorng compulsory educa-
ton was passed and one favoring woman
suffrage in school elections was defeated
Resolutions of thanks from the teachers to
Prof. Hodges aud County Superintendent
A. A. P. Neel were unanimously adopted
after which the most successful institute
ever held in Jefferson county was closed with
prayer by the county superintendent.