The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-12-28

ARE T
goes without saying that whatever move
ment, either public or private, is made in
the direction of eleVating the schools is
deserving at least the commentator of
the state, or the moral support of society.
The American teachers, impelled by what
may be termed pedagogical patriotism,
have effected the greatest educational or
ganization the world has ever had, q
teaching fraternity unparalleled in any
age-the National Educational associa-
uon-of it the nation is proud. and why
not? when it is one of the levers by which
our republic is not only held in her high
position. but constantly raised to higher
ones. Utah stands in the same relation to
this state organization as the Union does
to the National Educational association
To contemplate the growth of one is to
anticipate the growth of the other.
Through this organization not only a
knowledge of. but an acquaintance with
the educational status of every part of
the state may be had. The wants and
needs of the various localities can be OBJ
ta1ned without extra expenditure OF pub
lie money. 1t can become the means of
providing for and protecting the progress
sive teacher. while 1t pushes the pedant
and quack out of the ranks of salary-re-
ceivers. Its chief function is to elevate
and unity the educational interests OF
Utah Alone it must struggle on slowly;
aided it can arrive at extensive unSeful-
ness in time to more than repay for every
effort put forth to assist 1t.
THE PRESS.
This great educational factor has ever
been kind to our organization. We have
been heard of, and heard from through
its thousand-tongued columns without
reserve. When little has been asked,
much has been given. We have thus
friend. "a champion brave, alert and
strong, to defend the right and oppose
the wrong" The press seems to sense
the fact that its glory is added to by edu-
cational growth in any direction.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
1t has been a matter of conjecture why
our national educational executive COM
mittee has never been able to secure as
low transportation rates for teachers to
attend the great educational meetings as
religious organizations have secured for
their members TO attend continental con-
ferences and why fishing parties and
football teams can ride in chair cars more
cheaply than men and women whose
greatness consists more in mindfulness
than in muscularity, and who are doing
more for patience and Dainstaking than
pleasure seeking.
But there is another phase of this prob
lem. Ours is an age of action, united
action, and 1 will venture the prediction
that when the teachers of America move
with all the unity and enthusiasm OF the
Christian Endeavor members toward any
point of gathering, they Will be accorded
all that is granted to others, ana Wh9n
Utah's educators operate with the one
ness of a Rugby eleven they viii de-
mand and receive favorable consideration:
Perhaps, however. it has not occurred
to some of our financial friends that there
is no absolute value, even in the real
estate. When the savage held sway, what
was the fertile soil of Utah valley worth
per acre? What has given it worth?
Cultured inhabitants. Take that which
makes it valuable away and 1t becomes
worthless, increase that which gave 1t
worth and the value rises. 1t pays then,
financially 70 foster educational organlza-
tons; they make men, men make money
SUGGESTIONS.
In view of making the association what
it can and ought become, it will be well to
contemplate increasing the working ca
pacity just as fast as the motive power,
interest, increases. Permit me TO Suggest
that there be appointed committee OF
nine consisting OF three subcommittee,
representing the northern, the central
and the southern localities Of the state.
Each committee of three will collect such
data as viii enable it to report to the
committee of nine previous to the meeting
of the association in 1898, the needs ana
wants of the various localities, and the
committee of nine report to the asso-
ciation it's findings, and the recommended
lions of the association be properly pre-
sented to our state legislature at its next
session to aid it in giving to our state the
! best possible school laws.
Second-That there be a committee to
! aid in the work connected with the ma
tional association.
Third-That special effort be made to
| have established a state bureau of in
! formation and also at least one expert
mental school where methods may be
! tested. The need of system in educatlonal
! experiment is apparent when It has been
| found that after two years test In our
private normal schools an average pupil
! can reach the seventh grade with for
! eign Vernacular in such a manner as to
have the work done by him in this line
] rather accelerate than retard him IN his
! other studies; in fact 1t seems that the
capability to think in two Languages
makes it easier than TO think in one. It
! appears. however, that they are giving
TOO much attention to the consideration OF
! quantity and its measurement and too
! little TO the consideration of quality and
! its relations. Calculation is emphasized
1 at the expense of culture. AS President
! Elliot has it. the least useful study uses
up the most energy. And the result Is
| that graduates pass from the grades
thoughtful, perhaps, but without any
foundation whatever for literary taste
which is one of the chief character-build-
eastern colleges find themselves, as rule
noticeably strong in mathematical and
scientific pursuits but correspondence
weak in literary lines. The so-called
artistic element has been held in penman-
ship at a wasteful expense of time and
! toll, and an experimental school would
aid the typewriter in eliminating or max
ing room for legibility and ease of eXecu-
ton, the sole essentials of the writing Of
today.
A bureau of information would indicate
wherein we are weakest educadonally
and also furnish material that could be
used in effecting such reforms as the ad.
vancement of the age demands.
The Boshard & Pyne Brothers quar-.
tette gave a rendition which was en-.
cored.
Reed Smoot, introduced as the friend
of education, said that he had beer
educated for a teacher, but in what ht
termed his perversity had afterward;
chosen to follow business pursuits. He
however. was in full sympathy with tn
educators
The convention then adjourned unit
$3.50 o'clock tomorrow morning.
TODAY'S PROGRAMME
The programme for tomorrow is a