The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-06
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
RECENT MEETING OF FEDERATED
ORGANIZATIONS AT WARSAW.
Resume of Papers Read and Topics
and Progressive People.


in Warsaw Wednesday, Thursday and Fri
day of last week. The Indiana union is the
oldest Of the State declarations, and in it's
eight years of existence it has not stood
still as a comparison of it's earliest and
latest programmes will testify. The papers
and discussions of the past week embodied
the best thought of some of the brainiest
men and women of Indiana. 1t would
therefore be the verest presumption 10
promise. in the limited space of a news
paper anything more than the merest out
line.
The programme committee separated the
study theme of the convention into three
sections-educational aesthetic and practi-
cal Educational matters occupied the en-
tire session of Wednesday afternoon. An
immense audience had filed to overlooking
the auditorium Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. when Miss S. a. Catlin, of War
saw, arose to deliver her address of well
come. Her effort was an exceptionally
happy one in that it served the double pur-
pose Of extending hearty hospitality to del
egates and friends, and of putting her lis
tencrs into good humor. Her remarks
were rendered in verse, and so wittily and
cleverly done that enthusiastic appreciation
was instantaneous.
Miss Merica Hoagland, of Fort Wayne.
the president of the union, then arose and
delivered a fine address upon THE Social
Function Of Education" In the onward
march of civilization" said she, each gen
Grafton is confronted with the question,
What is the best the human race can live
for? We are too much a part of the tu-
multuous throng to forecast results of the
struggle through which we are passing but
to education, that mighty and potent giant,
is intrusted the Herculean task of clean
ing the augean stables of social life" The
period of education, she thought had
changed. Formerly it was finished with
graduation; now it extends from the cradle
to the grave. Once it required thousands
Of years to produce fossil; now ten or
fifteen years suffice. If a church serve So
ciety to-day it must become less of a prop
uganda and more of an educational
function The speaker made a strong
plea for industrial schools, promising
that if household science were put on
level with other studies IT would Go much
to raise it in estimation. Indianapolis is
the only city in the State which has in
corporated the manual training department
in its school system. She condemned the
indiscriminate reading of library books and
urged the necessity of teaching children
their right uses. AS for literary clubs she
NdQ only the nedrteSt commentator, since
they take up education for adults at the
point where colleges leave the students.
But while cOnceding that women's clubs
are good, she maintained that mixed clubs
are better, and she warmly urged delegates
to do missionary work in their homes by
organizing mixed clubs which boys may
enter when they have been graduated from
college She closed a very vigorous paper
by according highest praise and hF<4or to
Indiana Union of Literary Clubs.
The presidents address was followed by
a formal discussion OF school Administra-
ton. in which Mrs. Virginia Patterson of
Kokomo, read the opening paper. She COM
pared the educational systems of the var
ious States. While complimenting Indiana
upon its school fund of $40 100000, she found
much TO condemn in its school adminfstra-
ton, the very head and front of whose
offending is the township trustee who has
altogether too autocratic a sway.
Mrs Edgar Kitchener, Of Connersvile
rose next in the discussion, and in a charm
ing manner pointed out some needed re-
forms. She said the state SUPERINTENDENT
was a detriment to educational interests
The salary at present is too small to Sc
cure superior merit, while oftener than
not he is elected for political reasons.
The discussion was then thrown open to
the convention and some very interesting
argumentativa tits resulted. Mr.. Foster, of
Fort Wayne, thought that training schools
should be organized in every town for the
benefit of poor students. He asserted that
there should be a school trustee in every
township as well as in every city and
condemned the present union of civil and
educational management a flaw in the
d.
castle, deplored the subsection of the child
to so many theories, and advocated better
spelling than now seems to be fashionable
Mrs. Pierce, OF Indianapolis, rose to the
question of electing women on school
boards. and asked for an expression from
the convention. Mrs. Kidd of Wabash. Mrs.
hnopf OF Elkhart and others spoke brief
~ upon the various subjects introduced by
the leaders OF the discussion.
AESTHETICS
The keynote of Thursday mornings dis
-,
per was read by Prof. Alfred Mansfield
Brooks. of Bloomington, who handled in a
scholarly manner the influence of arch
itecture in a community. He strongly con-
demned that architecture which has no
use nor reason for being. He deplored
therefore. the lavish expenditure of money
for the draped urns and impossible angels
which abound in every cemetery. He urged
that palmer schoolhouses be built and
that the money ordinarily used in inartstic
decorations be applied to securing better
light, heat and ventilation. He suggested
as an ideal structure the perfectly plain
SUBSTANTIAL building with u natural decora-
tlOn of vines.
Mrs. Frank Blount of Wabash, whose
subject was Music confined her re-
marks to Woman in Music" She AS
serted that while woman has not yet
achieved fame for creative musical ability,
her influence has been a potent factor in
the success of the worlds greatest COM
pOsers.
Under the head of Literature" Mr. S
NJ. Reynolds, of Terre Haute. read a very
able paper upon Rhythm and Reason +"
He quoted Homer as the ideal poet whose
happy presentation of natural themes rem
dered them lasting. The gradual change
of the old infected language into the pres
ent unaffected one has forever banished a
modern imitation of ancient verse; but he
pl edicted that those writer's viii live the
longest who cl0the their thoughts in
rhythmical language.
In the formal discussion which followed
Mrs. Studebarler read ii paper prepared by
Mrs. \. =. Moftatt, Of Decatur. Among
other things. she said only the practical
and beautiful should receive public sup
port. She urged more and better music in
public schools. homes and churches. Mrs
Wagner. of Knightstown, made a strong
plea for good literature in the home. In
the general discussion which was now in
order. hrief and trenchant remarks were
offered by Mrs. Elizabeth Ames of Green
castle: Josephine VI. Mellette. of New Al
bany. Mrs. Maud Brown. of Warsaw; Mrs
NJ NJ. Finch, of indianapolis; Mrs. Leila
Giugerick of North Manchester; Prof g.
+. karsten, of Bloomington, Mrs. Emily
Fletcher Of Indianapolis: Mrs. J. p. Dunn,
Of Indianapolis; Mrs. Tenant, of Terre
Haute. Mrs. NJ. l.. GalbTaith, of South
bitiey. and others whose names could not
be learned
BY the kindness of the managers Of the
assembly grounds the convention held a
delightful session at Ninona Park on