The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-18
HIS WORK COMMENDED
ADDRESSES BY PROF. C. w. ED
WARDS AND DIR. G. d. McIvER.
THE FINAL GERMAN TO THE TEACHERS
The Work Of the Assembly to G, Forward this
Year. Resolution favoring the Plac-
ing Of Portraits Of Bagley and
Ship IN Corcoran Gallery.
Ship IN Corcoran Gallery.

Ship IN Corcoran Gallery.
Morehead, N. c., June 17-(Editorial
COrrespondence)-T Teachers Assem-
bly, did three important things to-day in
addition to the regular important eXer-
cises.
1. They elected officers who are a
credit to the Assembly-men who will
continue its growth and usefulness.
The following resolution introduced by
DIR. C. ID. McIver, was unanimously
adopted:
Resolved that the North Carolina
Teachers Assembly rejoices tina: to-day
the number of communities in the State
which have adopted the principle of local
taxation is about twice rs large rs it
was ten years ago.
Eve recognize that che future Of North
Carolina depends upon the success of The
cause Of local taxation for the En5iIc
schools throughout the Sar.aus townships
of the State. We recognize, moreover.
that the success of local taxatien de-
ponds upon able and enthusiastic local
leadership in connection with system
of active and defective school supe-vi-
sion"
8. The following resolution Of commen-
ffation to the State Superintendent of
Schools was unanimously adopted:
Whereas, the Hon. Charles III. Me-
bane, State Superintendent of Public In
structiOn of North Carolina, has at all
times exhibited a very active interest in
every feature connected with the work
of the Teachers Assembly and contri-
buted much to its development and sue
cess, and
Whereas, he has shown energy, pru-
dence and wisdom, and
Whereas, we, the members of the
North Carolina Teachers Assembly de-
sire to give expression to an apprecia-
ton of his helpfulness and stimulating
interest in our work, of his efficiency as
am executive officer. and of his Hberality
in dealing with all educational questions !;
wherefor be it
the success of his administration and
that this expression be spread upon the
minutes of the Assembly
Mr.. Mebane by his wise course in Of
fee deserved this tribute from the body
that know more about the value of his
work than any other class of our citi-
Gems.
There were three notable addresses.
Prof. WhitehUlse, of Trinity College,
read an excellent paper on Physical Gull
ture. Prof. Whitehouse is one of the
first instructors in Physical Culture in
the South, and his paper was highly APP
preciated.
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.
program was the discussion of recent adj
vances in science, including wireless tel
egraphy by Prof. G. w. Edwards, of
Trinity College. Prof. Edwards discuss
ed in sarcastic vein the exploitation of
recent scientific discoveries in some of
the more sensational magazines. One
of the problems of the times is how to
lift the teaching Of science to the same
plane as other departments of knowl-
edge. Within the past year the advance
ment of science has been largely in the
perfecting Of details, such as the elec-
trical appliances known as the Wehnelt
interrupter, the Nerust lamp, a new
method Of wireless telegraphy, and Of
obtaining liquid air. Electro magnetic
phenomena have more in store for hui
manity than all other departments Of
physics. There is nothing new in wire
less telegraphy, and Marconi, if correct
ly reported, is proving himself one Of
the greatest impOst0rs of the age.
Professor Edwards devoted the larger
part of his time to a discussion of the
phenomena of aether and performed a
number of interesting experiments. He
said in part:
Science has conferred one great ben
eft on mankind. 1t has supplied us
with a new sense. We now see the
invisible, hear the inaudible and feel
the intangible. We know there is a
substance called the luminiferous aether.
pervading all space and permeating all
matter from our own little world out
through those magnificent systems that
swing at unthinkable distances and of
incomprehensible magnitude. The dis
cOvery of the real existence Of this is
one of the greatest scientific events OF
this era. This mysterious substance
has baffled the brightest minds of this
century. All attempts to produce per-
feet aether have proved dismal failures.
We had best say with Lord Salisbury
IDaC aeInef Is Ine 0OMlndt1Ve case
Of the verb ito undulate," for it is ire
pressible tendency to propagate energy
by waves that makes it particularly in
terestirlg. There are two properties
that may safely be posted, however
it's incOmpressibility and it's elasticity
These are not incompatible, since India
rubber is one Of the most elastic sub
stances, yet it is practically incompres
sible.. The weight of cubic inch Of the
aether has been estimated to be about
936 million million billionths grams
It's rigidity is about one thousand mil
liOnth that of steel. Its structure is
supposed to be continuous in distinc
ton to ordinary matter. which is of 9
granular structure. The aether is al
important in physics, as it is the great
vehicle Of physical forces. Indeed one
Of the most plausible, but unsubstantia
theories as to the constitution Of ordi
nary matter makes it simply dynamic
state Of the aether. In other words yor
are not a substance, but simply a strain