The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-25

The closing session OF the 5sth annual
meeting OF the Rhode Island Institute OF
Instruction was held IN Infantry hall this
morning beginning with an organ recital
by Miss Emma ]. williams and a selec-
ton by the Institute quartet
The formal opening OF the session by
President Luli occurred shortly before 10
o'clock At this hour there were scarcely
more than 200 I'm the hall. the teachers.
doubtless, preferrng the beautiful out OF
doors 10 all else
For those who were present, however,
there was an intellectual treat In the lee
ture OF the morning. which was one or
the best OF the many which have been
given the past three days.
The distinguished speaker was DT.
James p. Haney, director OF manual train
ing in the public schools OF New York
sity. Borough OF Manhattan, and his SUB
tect. .The Manual Arts in the Public
Schools" During the course OF the ad-
dress the audience visibly increased In
sixe 20 that II was much larger than at
ths opening of the session.
DIR. HANEY's ADDRESS.
In beginning his admirable lecture, DR.
Hansy spoke OF the birth OF the arts
The arts, he said have risen through the
kindergarten, the technical school and the
art school.
.aThe kindergarten" he continued.
''taught a system OF mother play, the
technical school a system of models and
the art school code which looked to the
esthetic side. The special subjects were
isolated from the other branches OF the
curriculum from the very beginning; their
technical requirements were emphasized
and the teachers, therefore, come 10
look upon them as ends rather tnan
means in education
The demand has come for coordination.
the relation of the special subjects 10 uhe
other branches in the curriculum.
Turning TO another phase of his subject
the speaker said, the genetic psycholo-
gist has taught us the Importance of the
study OF the child, the periods OF his de-
velopment, the relation of the education
TO the mental motor and the fact that the
mental development can never reach the
highest level without coincident motor
training.
The Psychologist has aided, 10 teach us
the manner IN which the brain Itself
grows. how motor Impressions are stored
up and how they are given out again.
MANUAL AND TECHNICAL SIDES.
Continuing, the speaker dwelt at length
upon the manual and the technical side
OF manual art or the training OF the hand
and the eye.
The speaker explained also what he
characterized as the primitive instincts
Of children. viz: The desire 10 build the
desire 10 tell the desire 10 examine.
The speaker discussed also the subject
of design, or tho relation or forms and
snaces and lines. Training In the arts, he
continued. means the development ol
problem makers. The ideal which the arts
hold up before the pupil Is the well plan
ned problem, bearing the stamp or orig
tnal effort something which is his own II
thought as I'm execution. The necessity
for the thing made may have arisen IL
many ways. Ii may be bit of apparatus
for ths school room, a model TO illustrate
and make real and vivid some lesson III
the primitive arts; a toy for his games OF
q utensil for his home.
In closing, the speaker discussed char
acter values In training In the manua
arts III character is disposition foi
antion." he said. II II requires for as
deyelopment the establishment of habits
OF foresight and initiative, Of original ef'
foit. direct responsibility. energy and
perseN erance. II IL Is founded oh oluri
and system. appreciation or Beauty ano
honest work. and respect for labor, age
love for labor then surely the manua
arts give an unequaled opportunity 1oi
the planting OF these virtues In the ma
turs OF the boy. schooled In their prac'
tice."
THE BUSINESS SESSION.
Az the close OF Or. Haney's address or
intermisslon was enjoyed, after which q
business session was held, President Lul
rresiding.
The first business was the presentation
Of reports. the first of which was giver
by Superintendent McFee OF Woonsocket
chairman OF the committee on neurology
This report gave In brief sketch OF the
following members OF the Institute. de-
ceased during the past year:
General Thomas ]. Morgan, formerly
principal Of tho State Normal school o
this city: Joseph a. Tflinghast. Henry
A. Wood, Miss Sarah j. Booth, Mar
garet r. Cronan.
The report OF the committee on reso
iutions was presented by Mr.. II. j. Kno'
Of the Friends school
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
The resolutions were as follows:
1--WE believe that the common schools
the the one great agency upon whicl
the state is 20 rely for n barrier agaius
the setting up of class distinctions. whicl
have no place on American aoil. 10
them every child must be Eivon an eaua
chance 20 acquire such education a. vii
give II individuality and mako 50
thoughtful and responsible factor in th
development OF social aud state AFFAIR
We urge, therefore the thorough en-
foroement of the compulsory education
law and the enactment and enforcemeu
Of ell legislation necessary % secure 10
the children OF our state common
school education OF the highest tyne
we believe that IL II both iost and Dos
sihie 20 keep the schools IN every town
ship or the state IN the forefront and 4
an respects up 20 high and uniforr