The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-04-29
Much Discussion But Little
Action Resulted From the
Lengthy Meeting.
MAZE OF PALIAMENTARY LAW.
Mr.. Emerson Had Plan and he Wanted II
Considered Committeeman Pierce Is Be.
coming Weary Of Midnight Sessions
and Threatens to Resign.

Committee was held last evening at the
Office of the committee In Music Hall.
Every member was present when Chair
man E. w. Blodgett raped for order at
$40 o'clock. The meeting, which was
called for the purpose of discussing Mr..
Cronin's plan for the reorganization of
the Training School, was a prolonged and
tiresome session.
Although the matter has been under dis
cussion for several weeks, apparently some
of the members have not taken the oppor-
tunity to make sufficient study Of the
question to be prepared to act on the plan
proposed, or discuss any of the various
phases Of the traing school system.
That the subject under discussion was
not Of startling interest may be gathered
from the fact that one of the members Of
the committee took quiet nap of several
minutes duration, and when awoke to the
situation, several minutes were consumed
In going over matter that had been once
discussed.
After lengthy discussions pro and con,
the committee finally adopted two of the
sixteen sections of the new plan, and some
of the members of the committee had
Narrow escape from being engulfed in
maze Of parliamentary law. After a session
of three hours the committee adjourned
until Monday evening, when the matter
will again be taken up for further consid-
eratien.
After the meeting had been called to
o,.la 4 Lo Il -
minor bills amounting to s25, which were
on motion ordered paid when properly
audited:
Merits of Mr.. Cronin's Plan.
Mr.. Cronin then took the floor and said
in part:
'sMr. Chairman and Members Of the
Board:
~ dave to propose to you plan for the
reorganization of the Training School, and
trust we may all together settle upon the
best plan. The plan submitted has two
main features, and is recommended by ex-
perience. The plan proposed has been in
the main adopted in Providence, Indiana
polls and by the highest educational board
in the land. / refer to "The Board of
Fifteen" The plan proposed vas submit
representing the educational authorities OF
Philadelphia, Feoria, Galveston and
Springfield"
Mr.. Cronin then discussed the practi-
cability of the proposed system and it's
peculiar adaptabiiity in view of the short
distance between the State Normal School
and this city. Regarding the question of
expense by the plan proposed something
would bo received for nothing, and provi-
sion had been made for all expansibility
One of the great needs of educational in
stitutionG In the present day was crying
noed OF good teachers. Regarding the
cause thespeaker thought that it was gen.
orally admitted that influence rather than
merit influenced the appointment of
teachers. The power of individual ap-
pcintmenG was the principal cause Of this
trouble. Any system that provided for the
elimination of this evil would be a bepe-
fit.
Another argument In favor of the plan
was that itwas proper for a locality to get
Its own teachers IL 1t could-teachers with
home ties and local spirit.
Before Mr.. Cronin kad an opportunity
to take up his plan in further detail, Mr..
Emerson saidahe "wouid like to propose an
alternative plan to discuss In opposition"
A.diseussion.ensued at some length re-
garding whether the action proposed was
proper, 'inasmuGh as Mr.. Cronin had given
the necessary notice for the introduction
Of kis plan and Mr.. Emerson had not.
The latter moved to amend Mr.. Cronin's
plan by substituting his.
The melton not being seconded Mr..
Cronfn moved that the plan submitted by
him he accepted, and Mr.. Slsttery second
ed the motion. The question not being
put to q vote Mr.. Emerson moved to
amend by substituting the plan proposed
by him which was read by the clerk. The
chair called attention to the fact that the
action was out OF order according to the
rules which called for a two-thirds vote
regarding change In the regular method
OF procedure. As Mr.. Emerson still de-
sired to have his plan considered with
chat OF Mr.. Cronin, Mr.. Littlefeld said 1t
would be well for Mr.. Emerson to state
the advantages Of his plan.
Mr.. Emerson considered that the first
point was the question Of expense, and In
this connection remarked that II the Su-
periutendent OF Schools had enough of
work at present and could attend 30 no
more, and the fact that the Superintendent
OF Schools would not have time to do addl-
tional work was apparent.
Mr.. Cronin took occasion to question
the correctness of Mr.. Emerson's state
ments regarding Providence schools.
Mr.. Emerson replied by expressing the |
opinion that there was need of special su-
pervision over the teachers during the first |
year and the Superintendent would have |
no time.
Mr.. Emerson's Plan.
The plan offered by Mr.. Emerson was In |
substance as follows: The course of study |
in the Pawtucket Training School shall in
clude two years. preparatory course I'm
the State Normal School, to be followed by |
one years preparatory course In the Paw