The San Francisco call., 1898-12-28
SPECIAL TOPICS CONSIDERED
PROGRESS OF THE WORK AT
 SANTA ROSA.
President Childs Reviews Achieve ments of the Past and Makes Recommendations for the
 Future.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

W. Childs of San Jose called the thirty second annual convention of the Cali fornia State Teachers Association to order this morning at o'clock A large number of spectators were present be- sides the members of the association. Among the latter were noted many of the most prominent educators of Cali fornia.
 The proceedings opened with an elo quent prayer by the Rev. J. F. Batch elor, pastor of the Fifth-street Metho dist Episcopal Church South of this city. 4 musical selection followed, af ter which Mayor James s. Sweet, in spirited address, welcomed the city's guests and rendered them the freedom of the city. He said Santa Rosa was honored by the presence of so many prominent educators within her gates.
 Superintendent Carl H. Nielsen was introduced by the chairman and on behalf of the teachers of Sonoma Coun- ty, whose annual institute also is now in session in this city, warmly well comed the members of the State asso- citation to the county. To both Mayor Sweet and Superintendent Nielsen State President Childs made fitting re- ply III the IdIllS Ol lIlG HoldhS S1SSOSlo- ton. expressing the pleasure it gave the members and himself to be pres ent. He delivered his annual address.
 President Childs reviewed at length the work of the association during the period he had been at it's head, and also since it's organization in San Fran cisco on December 26, 1854. Among the benefits mentioned as resulting from the work of the association the speak CT mentioned the procurement of a State school tax; the adoption of the State series of text books; the estab- lishment of a State school journal the California Teacher; the publication of several volumes of proceedings and valuable lectures; the forming of a State educational society and the pro- decentralization of teaching by securing legislation for better methods of Cer tificating teachers of the State: the adoption of the plan of issuing life and educational diplomas and State and county certificates based upon written examinations instead of the loose oral examination once in vogue; the fOrma- tion by John Swett of the most com prehensive and practical school law in the United States, which the speaker said was responsible for our schools so soon taking rank with the best in the world. He suggested changing the time of meeting in the future from the winter to the summer, and strongly ad vocated the abolition of the annual county teachers institutes now held by the teachers of every county in the State, and the substitution of a State summer school, to hold a three weeks session and to meet during the vacation period.
 He complimented the work done by the Council of Education and urged that the utmost care be exercised in 1l1.@ suggested that the Legislature be asked for an appropriation of $500 per year for it's support. The various round tables organized at every session of the convention, in the opinion of the speaker, should be organized for per- manent work and continue their meet ings throughout the year. He advo- cated the omission of the Governor from the State Board of Education in the future and the addition of the Su- perintendents of Schools of San Fran cisco, Alameda and Los Angeles coun- ties He was -committal upon the subject of the State series of text books and in referring to the matter con- tented himself with expressing the be- lief that it should be thoroughly in- vestigated. and stated that before con- demning the State Board of Education and the books prepared by it too se- verely 'it is the duty of this associa- ton to ascertain what difficulties the board encountered in preparing and re- vising these books" He partly advo- cated the enlargement of the idea of manual training in the schools of the State, and concluded by asking the question:
 What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world of knowledge and is not thereby fitted to earn an honest livelihood?"
  Ian. Hon. John Sweet, eX-Superintend- ent of Public Instruction, who was on the programme for an address entitled ''The Evolution of the American Sys- tenn of Public Schools" gave way to pr. G. Stanley Hall the eminent presi- dent of Clarke University of Worcester, Mass, who delivered masterly ad- dress upon "The Education of the Feel ings." Dr. Hall is recognized as one of the foremost educators of the coun- try and his address was listened to with the most profound attention. He spoke strongly in favor of both schools and churches taking more care Of the methods employed in handling the youth of the land and said he believed that the formative period in the lives of all young should be protected in every possible way, intimating strong. ly that such was not the case at the present time in all public schools at least
 R. D. Augsburg, director of drawing in the Oakland schools, followed Dr. Hall in an interesting "chalk talk" The speaker illustrated his ideas upon the subject of 'The Powers of Suggestion" by many clever designs upon the black board hastily sketched in view of the audience. When he had concluded the convention adjourned until tomorrow.
 This afternoon round table" sessions were held at the different churches and meeting places of the city for the dis cussion of special lines of work. The afternoons programme was as follows: Old Presbyterian Church, corner of Fifth and Humboldt streets. School Legislation": South Methodist Church, corner Fifth and Orchard streets, English; First Presbyterian Church. corner of Humboldt and Johnson streets. History: Christian Church, Ross street Child Study; Baptist Church, corner of Ross and E streets. Physical Culture: Armory Hall, op- posite the court house on Hinton ave nue. Nature Study: Congregational Church, F street, Deaf and Dumb, Bird and Feeble Minded Education"
 The new and elegant high school building on Humboldt street presented a gay appearance tonight upon the oc- oaegoo Iob bo,.o+a ranan+ion