The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-30
SESSION OF TEACHERS
BREAKS ALL RECORDS
Fiftieth Meeting Is Largest in the
History Of the Organ
iZatiOn.
VAN MATRE'S ADDRESS
New President Makes Address
Talk by Retiring EXecu-
tive Officer.

The fftieth session of the Indiana Teach
ers' Association opened last night in the
assembly room Of the Claypool Hotel The
opening session was well attended and was
sufficiently interesting to hold the attention
OF the teachers until the close. At o'clock.
when nearly every seat in the big hall was
taken, Chairman Stuart, Of the executive
committee, stated that the attendance up
10 that time equaled any IN the history of
the association. More arrivals are expect
ed to-day. however.
An orchestra from the Manual Training
High School gave the opening musical
number, a spirited selection from the opera
when Johnny Comes Marching Home"
The orchestra was directed by G. h.
ETmerich, principal Of the Training
School The music was thoroughly enjoyed
BY the teachers. To those who have paid
any attention to educational matters in In
diana in recent years last nights audience
was an interesting one. 1t was a splendid
gathering of men and women and 10 look
across the hall and take in the general APP
pearance of the crowd could easily see
hCW II Is that Indiana stands at the mead IN
the list Of States that have good schools.
Perhaps more than nalf the gathering
was composed OF women. They We're Wen
gOWned, wore stylish millinery ana there
were some pretty girls among them They
typical school ma am"
The Rev. DR.. Hurstone, of Roberts Park
Church, delivered the Invocation. The re-
tlring president. superintendent I. ~
PrOsser, OF New Albany. sat on the stage
with Q. A. Van Matre, the new president
and Miss Wood, the secretary. Mr.. Pros
ser introduced the new president in brief
words. He RETAINED from making
speech, saying that the address OF the re
firing chairman was a relic OF antiquity:
1t belonged TO the days when the value OF
a meeting was measured by the length OF
the session. he SAID however; tnat the
annual address of the new president must
be delivered tho the heavens fall. He then
declared the forty-ninth session adjourned
and the fiftieth session open, at the same
time presenting the new president.
VAN AIArRE SPEAKS.
Superintendent Van Matre, in his remarks,
compared the English system of schools
with those of America, abiding To the COM
mission composed of England's abest edu-
Gators that came here TO study our system
The commission" said Mr.. Van Matre
was very much impressed with the fa1th
We have in our public schools and the
hearty support we give them. That the son
OF our President should attend the public
schools was considered remarkable. Per
haps freedom from class distinctions
and our spirit OF democracy are the greatest
elements of strength in our system In
many respects the experience of England
has been similar TO our own. First as with
her, came our higher UNCONVENTIONAL
schools. supported by fees and by voluntary
tary schools for the masses. We have had a
similar struggle between church and state,
but it has been confined mainly to the high
Mr.. Van Matre discussed the rural school
problem He said: THE best solution Of
fered Is consolidation of several schools in
one large school in which two or more
teachers may be employed. In many sec
tt---s-11. thaA $40 an a-sa of thirty-six
square miles may be included in one dis
trict. The solution is being attempted with
very gratifying results The children are
conveyed in wagons at public expense. With
an average density of population in Indiana
a school OF geo pupils may be brought to-
gether- The work then be well graded,
well classified and the school well disci-
plined The fuller curriculum may be main
tanned and BE- further enriched by the addi-
ton of a high school course BY a division
OF labor there will be time for the necessary
drill work, for accurate mental discipline.
for practical training and for the desirable
culture studies. The plan IS practical
wherever the roads admit of easy and rapid
transit throughout the year. The expense is
reasonable. II the rural districts in the
wealthier sections of the State willing
TO maintain a local levy equal to that main
tanned by most cities and towns the CONSOLE
dation of schools can be effected in most of
them The daily per capita cost for tuition
viii be not greater than cents, while the
cost of transportation viii be about the
HIGH SCHOOL work.
Concerning high schools the speaker said:
''That so few children accept the oppor-
tgnities offered by the high school, even
where it is well established is a fact to be
deplored and is an indication of weakness
in our system.
1.-The manual training school is endeavor-
lug TO supply the need for a practical edu-
cation In, the localities where the home Of
fers the fewest advantages and where
Skilled labor IS much in demand. recurring
especial training. Where competition is
sharp and where division of labor is car
ried TO a high degree the unframed work
man has little opportunity for promotion.
liz
prepared or give evidence OF SUFFICIENT train
ing TO enable them to assume the new duties
readily a sldllful hand, as well as a cul-
tured brain. required However, the
manual training school cannot offer COM
plete solution Of the difficulty i'm giving
an adequate, practical education. Its num-
Der OF lines Is too limited. The technical
school must still be depended upon the
learner must serve an apprenticeship in the
trade or profession desired
DIR. Van Matre believes that the intro
duStlOn of agriculture as a science is not
history, civics and political economy should
receive prominent place in the high school
curriculum The best interests of the state
demand that every voter possess this
know ledge Since few Will obtain IL in
the college or university, the high school
is the only hope In concluding the sneaker
declared that the strength of our schools
Hes IN the democratic principles which per-
wade all our institutions, our freedom from
religious strife and class distinctions. the
maintenance Of all grades of instruction by
the State. the encourage given to the
development or high talent wherever found,
I our freedom from established customs and
traditions. while our weaknesses lie in the
lack OF complete uniformity. in our holding
4 10 a classical education in a scientific age.
IN our ability TO give an adequate practical
education. and IN the lack of a stronger
State control.
COMMITTEES NAMED.
After the presidents speech a short
business session was held and the follow
ing committees appointed:
Committee on Nomination of Members
for Reading Circle BOard-Philander Nc
Henry. DR.. +. Il. Bryan. of the State Uni
versity: Or. Hughes. Of DE Pauw; Supt.
j. G. Weir.
To Audit Books OF Treasurer-HOmer l..
Cook, OF Indianapolis: ID. w. Thomas of
Elkhart: NJ. NJ. Bailey OF Muncie.
To Audit Books of Reading Circle Board
b. +. Moore. Of Marion; President IL. Ii.
Brown, OF Valparaiso
On Resolutions-F. w. Cooley. of Evans
Vile; George y Abbott. OF Indianapolis
committee 10 nominate officers for cleo
ton by the association was named. II was
the Intention TO select a man from each OF
the congressional districts. but two OF the
districts failed 10 announce whom il was
desired 20 serve The representatives, from
the other districts are as follows:
First District-E q. Bauman
Second-Hamlet Alien
Third. +. Organ.
FOURTH. &. Graham.
F1fth-JOhn Linebarger
Sixth-W. u kerIin.