Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-18
hUSI TEACH hUS|C.
Provisions Of New Law Requiring
Music to Be Taught in
Schools
Governor Shaw Will Approve the
Bill-Certiflcate Cannot Be
Withheld.

Gossip About Candidates for Dele.
gates to National Convention
Capital Comment.
Special to Times-Republican
Des Moines, April 1s.-The teachers
of the state are beginning to inquire
about the so-called music bill. the one
requiring music to be taught in the
public schools and providing that
teachers shall be examined on their
ability to teach music. The bill as
passed has not been published. 1t is as
follows:
Section 1. That the elements of vo-
cal music, Including when practical the
singing of simple music by note. bel
taught in all of the publis schools of
Iowa, and that all teachers teaching in
schools where such instruction is not
given by special teachers be required
to satisfy the county superintendent OF
their ability to teach the elements of
vocal music in a proper manner.
Provided. however, that no teacher
shall be refused certificate or the
grade of his or her certificate lowered
on account of lack of ability to sing.
Sec. .. That it shall be the duty of
each county superintendent to have
taught annually in the normal insti-
tute the elementsSof vocal music.
Sec. 3. This act shall take effect on
I,,ISys O
teen hundred and one.
Governor Shaw has not approved the.
bill and at first he had some doubt
about doing so. but he has decided that.
he will approve it. The bill is quite
generally approved by the educational
people, altho it was not one in which
they were specially interested. Its pas
sage was secured thru the house by
Representative Christian Miller, of
tFayette county, and Senator Trewin,
from the same district, took hold of IL
4 TO please Mr.. Miller and put 1t thru
the senate on the next to the last day
4 of the session. 1t is not very strin-
tlgent regulation, since no teacher can
be deprived of a certificate because of
Inability to sing, nor is a lack of that
4 gift to result i'll reducing the grade Of
4 sfcertificate issued to any teacher.
j The bill is, however. very specific tr
4 requiring that teachers shall have the
4 liability to teach the elements of voca
4 music and that such instruction shall
4 be given in all the public schools ot
4 Iowa. Altho the bill does not take eff
feet until year from next July. tina,
1! !8provision which requires the elements
of vocal music to be taught in county
institutes will probably b. carried into
leffectS in most counties this year, SC
Il that teachers will have an opportunity
= to prepare themselves to some extent
4 for the work they must begin mex,
/ year. The questions for the examina-
q ton will doubtless be prepared by the
state superintendent of public instruc-
ton. This will give quite an impetus
to the music publishing business il
Iowa. Governor Shaw is waiting to sier
1.-THE bill With a special quill. pen. Which
will be presented to the proud author o.
a the bill. Mr.. Miller learned to sing by
4 note in the public schools of Switzer
a land when he was q small boy, and h1
3 was deeply interested in this bill. 1t:
passage gave him more pleasure thai
any other event that has happened dur
q ling his legislative career.
2Arbor day this year will be a5celebra
ton of Gen. Grants birthday, the 2Itl
}, Iof April. In his circular to- teacher
State Superintendent Barrett says con
corning this day:
Nearly 20 per cent of the children
!. land for this reason the grounds shoul,
!. he made more attractive by the plant
ing of trees. shrubs and vines. l woui,
) urge you in all cases to protect tn
, trees already planted. Where a begin
: ming has been made, let the work b
i extended Where the school ground
/ are unattracuNe, let the first steps b
: taken to convert the barren plot into
Z place of beauty
!, The elements of success in tire
! planting are trees suitable to the sol
and surrounding conditions. well
! developed root system, kept in liv
o ing condition.: wide holes and mellon
/ soil: and firm packing of the Sc
/ around the roots.
Trees planted this year might mos
I appropriately be named for Gen. y. 5
l Grant. and those who We're closely as
Z sociated with him in military and civ
e life.
n Exercises of character suited I
n the occasion should be planned by th
9 teacher, thus making it one OF enjoy
. ment and profit to all. Arbor day ha
. become quite general holiday. and
n think it may, under the guidance of tn
n teacher, prove most interesting. Th
o children. under proper leadership, wi
n greatly aid in all of the work of In
proving the school premises"
Under the ruling of the attorney gel
e eral and the executive council the sta
department Of public instruction VIZ
I unable this year and last year to issl
the usual literature for the use of Il
IS schools on Arbor day. Flag day. Mem
n rial day, Bird day and other special o
$. easions. 1t had been the custom Of Il
y department for years to do this, but
was held that there was no authori
in law for its printing at the expen
of the state. The legislature TOT
!. pains during the recent session to maj
=, - it plain that the superintendent
public instruction was to have tt
authority and 1t enlarged his power
so that he will be able to issue SUI
leaflets. pamphlets hand books, scours