The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-06
Admirable Address on "School DlScIp.
line and Morals"
TO The SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENlS'
The Importance Of Punctuaiity ana h's"
Morais-Justice aud Honcsfy-Dr'
L.. ID. sinner. of New York, Also
Addresses the Body-Other Papers


yesterday, which were we'll attended. The
attention Of those present during the
morning session concentrated in the ad-
dress Of DR.. L. d. Sinner, OF New York.
on "The Relation of Language 10
Thoughts" During the night session the
audience was entertained by Hon. ".
r. Harris, United States Commissioner
OF Education. who delivered an instruc-
tive address on School Discipline and
Morals
There was some little delay In the open
Ing OF the morning session, the supe.in-
tendents having been invited by
the Davis Gallery 10 have their
pictures taken on the steps OF the
west side OF the Capitol building. Many
Of the superintendent accepted the invl-
tation. and that pleasant duty having
been disposed OF Hon. John i. Massey
called the asscmblage 10 order IN the hah
Of the House OF Delegates.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr..
Ragland. Of Goochland county.
The chair then announced that a meet
ing OF the state Board OF Education would
be held on May 18th. for the purpose Of
appointing superintendents Of public
schools in the various cities and counties
Tor the next four years.
The first topic on the programme Sup
orintendents Supervision. lis character
and extent" was introduced by super
intcndcnt L. NJ. Shumate. OF Loudoun
county, who read an interesting paper
on the subject. combining himself how
ever to country schools exclusively.
The subject was 20 have been further
discussed by Superintendents +. T. West.
kahf of
mouth. but both gentlemen were absent
and the discussion was brought 10 n close
by Superintendent II. Meade of Amelia.
WANTS MORE ENTHUSIASM.
The chair then GALES upon Nj. r. 4.
nobie. superintendent OF the schools in
Norfolk city as the nearest neighb0r OF
one OF the absentees. lie stated that his
connection with the public schools OF the
state was only Of very recent date and
10 had come 10 the conference with the
purpose OF learning. \ great deal had
been said during this assemblage about
the ideal teacher aud UP this morning
he had heard very little of the ideal super
intendent. lie thought the papers % be
read at this conference should be on the
line Of making suggestions and then re-
ferred 10 the different qualifications.
which he thought the ideal superintendent
should have.
Give US enthusiasm" saId Mr.. Doble
in closing, "and We are going 10 have
good schools. Let us all do our utmost
to improve the public schools Of Nir-
GINA
After Superintendent Puliiam OF Man
chester. had briefly spoken on the sub
ject. the following resolution. presented
by Superintendent 81. ID. Hall. Of Fairfax.
was adopted.
whereas we all feel the necessity OF
earnest and close superintcndency on the
part Of the superintendent OF the cOun-
ties Of Virginia. and that the success or
the schools depends a great deaf upon
this superintendency therefore be II.
Resolved. That We endeayOr TO emu
late the example and follow the precepts
OF Brother Shumate, Of the County or
Loudoun.'
LANGUAGE AND THOUGHTS.
The climax of the various sessions OF
the conference up 10 this time was no
doubt reached when Dr. T.. ID. Sinner. OF
New York addressed the audience on
"The Relation Of Language TO Thoughts.
Dr. Sinner, who is member OF the
Board Of Superintendent Of Schools in
that city. was by the chair given ALI
the time he desired. and the audience did
not regret II for they followed the speak
or with the closest attention up 70 the
close Of his more than interesting ad-
dress.
Space forbids to go into details Of DR..
sinners deductions. but the following are
a few Of the points brought out by him:
Last week / polled class OF fifty chill
dren and | found among them twenty
nine different nationalities. This means
that I'm the home OF these children the
English language Is not the mother ton
que. II requires intuition OF experience
10 decide is or is not M for q position ns
instructor in school. yet Il might be
difficult TO express this in language.
There are GOOD many pedagogical
questions troubling ~, the English Ian
guagc L. perhaps worse taught than any
other study. The mind is not q mere
passive recipient. but a definite nerve or
ganism made up by ear eye and tongue.
However, 10 l. only a machine. for The
brain does not think.
Speech Is the natural basis 10 prove that
impression is properly accompanied by
expression TO think a thing is 20 give
"a sign: some people cannot think without
saving. some cannot read paper with
out moving their lips. Speech j. also the
Compartment OF mans social nature.
This social push is one OF the greatest
levers IN establishing proper relations be-
tween language and thoughts and vice
versa.
Language IS 90 The mind what is the
arch 10 q tunnel, thoughts are not lying
around thc room and passing in mans
ear. but they must Doe interpreiatct. TX
crclse improves faculty and In some way
traces Of former actions are .eft and
there traces can rise and reinforce the
next action.
NEXT TO POKER.
Quite "a ripple Of mcrrImcnt was created
among fhc audience when the speaker IN
cnl,ayoriHg 10 explain one of his state
mcnts by asking what Was ihc next Trims
10 poker. Some one suggested fire. but
The minds of some Of the superintendents
seem 10 be drifting ID some other direc-
ton. FOR a. quiet smile passed from one
end ~ the biz han TO the other. Even
the dgniaed president was hardly sue
cessful in hiding "A SLIGHT tWitching Of the
corners o. his mouth.
When Or. Sinner had closed his ad-
dress Superintendent Garden. OF Prince
Edward county. offered the following.
which was adopted By a rising vote.
Whereas the most exhaustive and adj
mirable treatment Of this subject u Tho
Relation OF Language 10 Thought" by
Or. L. d. Sinner. Of the Board OF Superin.
tendcnts OF New York city. commends IL
self TO the grateful appreciation u the
superintendents OF this conference. there
fore,
Resolved, That this conference hereby
tenders To DR.. Sinner their heartfelt
thanks FOR the very instructive address
so happily and forcihly expressed
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.