Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-29
SESSIONS GROW IN INTEREST
State Teachers Association Meeting Scores
an Unqualified Success.
EDUCATORS NsTRUcTINe EACH OTHER
Discussion Of Pertinent Topics Led by
Eminent Lights of Pedagogy and
Enjoyed by u Large Number
of Attentive Listeners.

thirty-third annual session OF the Nebraska
State Teachers association Is keeping fully
up with its predecessors In both interest
and attendance. Yesterday was taken w
by the auxiliary associations almost en-
tirely. This year the Importance OF union
between the home and school life Is receiv-
ing much attention at the hands OF expert
enced educators in both the sectional and
general meetings.
Owing to the large size OF the association
the business Of the election OF officers Is
left for the most part in the hands OF
nominating committee. Each congressional
district is entitled to three members OF this
committee. which will report at the general
session tomorrow morning and ask for the
ratification Of its selection. One candidate
for president Of the association Is Deputy
State Superintendent G. F. Beck. Pres
ident Beatty Of the Peru Normal has also
been mentioned for the place.
A committee OF county superintendent
has been in session with a like committee
Of county clerks considering what they
deem needed legislation. 1t is understood
that one Of the changes they propose Is
lensthenlng the term Of holding county
offices from two to four years.
81 C%riticisms of Present System.
The days program opened with q general
meeting at the Oliver. After a musical in
%troductory President J. F. saylor intro
duced as the hrst speaker Hon. Henry
sabin. ex-superintendent Of the Iowa
schools. He took for his subject "a New
Gospel OF Education" and showed up what
he deems the f~allacies Of the system now In
vogue. He mad a plea for less talk about
character building and more work to assist
character growth. Surround the child with
good Influences and nature will see to his
character. He is entitled to more than
scientific teaching, for be is an immortal,
responsible being. Out Of instruction comes
strength. Every child should draw from 1t
power to do its very best, the enthusiasm
which makes life worth living, and courage
to face every situation. Mr.. Sabin found
much good in some Of the new methods,
but urged that they should not hide the
teacher. The living impersonation of the
teacher behind Is what makes any method
worth using. The growing tendency to
push the child faster than he can we'll 60
was cited as one Of the worst evils OF our
present system. Two important things have
yet to be ~learned-arst, respect for the in
dividuality Of the child, and second, respect
for the individuality Of the teacher.
Superintendent Whelan OF O'Neill took for
his text the settled supposition that we are
passing into a period Of greater economy
and smaller profits, and explained some
things that the schools may do to meet
these conditions. The education should be
the best to be had. but to gain the desired
end there should be fewer and better teach.
ers. AS q class they know too little. Mr..
Whelan would have the standard raised by
Issuing nc more third grade certificates and
adding several new branches to those now
required under the second grade. He would
also put all teachers under state control
and have them 80 hired.
Heredity and Environments.
THE Home as an Educational Factor was
the paper by Superintendent Stephens OF
Holdrege. He pointed out the great in
huence of heredity and environment on the
child's whole life. and the certainty that
first Impressions are those that last whether
they be good or Ill. The teacher is power
less unless the home and school are united
in their interests. This union must be
brought about by tho teacher in whatever
way is deemed best in the individual cases.
Superintendent Ebright Of North Platte fol-
lowed with some thoughts on the same line.
THE Necessity Of the Old and New in
Education" was the subject Of a talk by
Prof. d. l.. Kiehle OF the University Of Min
nesota. He said the foundation of the New
is In the Old, but we must not forget that
the past is only valuable in that 1t throws
it's light into the future. The danger has
always been that we were prone to over
estimate the value Of the past as applied
to the present and future. The American
people believe in a prospective education in.
stead of a retrospective one. The new GEN.
fury holds more for US than any other nation
on earth. We do not fear the problems OF
expansion. Our education is such that VI
are in a measure prepared for all kinds of
problems.
Notice was given at this meeting Of q
proposed amendment to the constitution.
looking to a change in the number Of and
manner OF selecting members Of the educa-
tienal council.
The afternoon was devoted to seven Sec
tional meetings. each one having a good
attendance of those interested in that par
ticular line Of work. That child study is
taking q strong hold on the teachers was
evidenced by the exceptionally large number
In attendance during the entire program in
that section. The moral aud religious train
ing Of the child was taken up from every
point Of view. Superintendent H.. E. Kratz
Of Sioux City looked at the subject from
the effect of street Life and Companion
ship" Other speakers gave suggestions as
to what might be done through the church,
home. school and children's literature. DR..
]. F. Stephens and Mrs. Hartley, both of
Lincoln. discussed the Effect OF Health on
Morality" 1t was argued that a healthy
body is essential to a healthy mind. Many
children become soured in disposition, selfish
and otherwise disagreeable because OF their
constant round OF physical Ills.
Superintendents' Section.
The section of county superintendent met
in Union hall. A large number who had
heard Hon. Henry Sabin from Iowa in the
morning were present here when he gave his
talk on the duties Of a supervisor.
Superintendent Anderson OF Seward read
Q paper on THE Limit of the Studies to Be
Taught in District Schools" This brought
out a spirited and free discussion, which
digressed SO far as to include various
methods Of teaching these studies.
Superintendent Horace T. Carson of Rear
hey In a paper endeavored to solve the ever
recurring problem Of how to raise the stand
ard of schools. He believed that one rem
qualification before a man or m may
be made superintendent. A political pull
must not BIO sufficient, as 1t is now In some
cases. Much Of the supplies now palmed
of on ignorant school boards are worse than
useless and this should be corrected. Teacn-
ers cannot impart what they themselves do