New-York tribune., 1908-10-24
WELFARE OF PUPILS
Discussed at University ConUocdtion
at AIbany-Educators Speak.
[By Telegraph to The Tribune ]

Albany Oct 2S-Four addresses, general discus
sions and witty remarks around the festive board
constituted the programme OF the second day of
the annual convocaton of the University OF the
State OF New York. The convocation will end to-
morrow morning. AT the morning session the feat
were addresses the necessary precautions
TO be taken 10 protect the school children. Pro-
fessor W H. Burnham Of Clark University. in
paper on The Need Of More Attention TO Health
in the Public Schools outlined the development
of science-school hygiene; and a ne" pro-
fession-health inspector in the school Re
gent William Nottingham, of Syracuse, In an sd-
dress "How Far Are School Authorities JUS
titled in Assuming Responsibility for the Health
and Physical Conditions of Pupils, sounded a
warning against the school supplantins the home
Edward l. Stevens associate city superintendent
of schools in New York. and DR.. Thomas A Storey,
of the College Of the City of New York, led the
general discussion
The afternoon sessions were devoted mainly to
two addresses by DR.. Edwin E. Sparks. president
Of Pennsylvania State College, on THE Relation
OF State TO National History" and DR.. Frank IL
Wood, of Hamilton College. THE Struggle Of
the English French and Dutch for New York
DR.. Charles T. McFarlane, principal Of the State
Normal School, at Brockport, led the discussion
The members of the convocatiOn tonight at the
Ten Eyck Hotel attended the seni-annual dinner
Of the Hudson River Schoolmasters Club Dr.
St Clair McKelway, President Albert Rose Hill
of the University OF Missouri. and Homer Folks,
president of the State Probation Commission were
among the speakers.
Professor Burnham said he believed these con-
siderations should be emphasized:
First-While the state compels children to attend
school 1t has morally no option about making the
Second-As the ability of children to the work
OF the school depends on their physical condition
organs, it is only common 70 make a general
physical examination and special tests at frequent
intervals Of sight, hearing and nasal ano 0entaI
Third-As no EDUCATION is possible with the func-
the essential food OF the nerves, provision fo. the
for efficient work.
Fourth-Whie it is not the business Of the school
to assume the functions OF a hospital or sana-
toTinn on the other hand the school nas no rlghs m
b13a IN IN IN 1C 5CI p3GSfsy sbnoI 5JSI shnriG de-
6 f a IN 6e4naPE Ih45 Ihe t sfn8Gi Snb SnT1'1 1h
ical and mental. which the best safeguards
against nervous breakdown
Regent Nottingham said in part:
The terms of the topic assigned toreshadow
conservative views upon the subject under consid-
GRAFTON, at a period in our history when conserva,
tism is not Oyer-popuIar. but in which radical
ideas, rather, are quite prevalent to the ap-
proprate dealing of the government with the In
divlduai and his concerns. There are many mol
cations that we are drifting toward the pe+noious
Of the thinking person to discover distinct drift
tration of affairs in this country. On occasions 1t
expresses itself vehemently IN state and national
be said that we suffer most in the season these
F69 ths of PihsaoR he pPi@ysf ana
II is intimated that should have the
school children examined for non-contagious de-
feCts and subject them 10 treatment therefor, for
the alleged reason that their strength and efficiency
will thereby be promoted and the general good
conserved. Assuming that IL legally per-
uissible. would II be wise policy for the school
authorities to assume responsibility for the health
ard physical condition Of pupils? In this country,
at least until quite recently. 1t has been generally
believed that this duty rested primarily upon the
parents, and that the performance Of this Office
and obligation Of the home
It is the plain duty, Of the school authorities to
see TO ii that the school buildings and all places
where the students assemble for study safe,
sanitary. comfortable well lighted and ventilated.
and in every way suitable and calculated 20 facili
tate and promote the work 10 be there performed.
When they assume TO go beyond this. and to take
charge OF the physical condition and health OF the
pupil We believe they have transcended their fInc-
tions. This duty should be left TO the parent or
legal guardian, where it properly belongs.
II can shoulder fts obligations upon the school
The school must supplement the home. but never
supplant II
Dr.. Sparks remarks follow, in part:
Temperament and climate are indssolubly con-
neCted. and they have always affected the mgTa-
ton from 10 state but the land has be-
come filed with people and fully occupied the IN
terstate migration has been affected by the growth
OF cities, and this will continue until the westward
movement VIII acticaly before many years
to come Then local history will become more
reminiscent and less fOrmulatIve and viii continue
TO deserve 10 be studied, not only from e local
standpoint but even more from = national point OF