The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-07
Teachers Applaud Sentiment At
the Denver Convention
ALABAMA MEN PROMINENT
DR.. Phillips of Birmingham and NJ. 3.
Baker of Alabama Are Mentioned
for Presidency of National Ed
ucation Associate

Denver, Col, July 6.-"No teacher
with round shoulders and hacking
cough sh ould be permitted in the school
room.
"The city is responsible for lowered
mentality and a weakened body In an
increasing number of school children.
"Give the physical body It's education
as you feed the brain it's words and
figures"
When William w. Hastings of
Springfield, Mass, urged these precepts
at the convention of the National Edu-
casion association here today scores Of
teachers applauded The sentiment was
general for a more hygienic school
room, both from the standpoint of
sch olar and teacher. A discussion of
health in the school room, led by ]. r.
Peairs of Pueblo, Col, brought out the
fact that most of the teachers are in
favor of wider play grounds and more
work for the body, and more moderate
administration of brain work.
The question of whether the Ameri-
can college has failed in its mission de-
veloped a debate In the department of
higher education. Samuel Wendell
Williston of the University of Chicago
delivered an address on the subject.
In the department of special educa-
tion Carroll @. Pearse of Milwaukee
urged special care of the child born
short" and Sybrant Wesselius Of
Grand Rapids. Mich. spoke on the duty
of the state toward the exceptional
child
Both Mr.. Pearce, who is a superin-
tendent of schools, and Mr.. wesselius,
who Is a former state senator, were of
| the opinion that the child afflicted in
mind or body should be made the sub
| ject of especial care.
Why Boys Leave the Farm.
s. A. Knapp, an official of the
United States department of agricul-
| ture, before the department of rural
and agricultural educat tion, said the
reason why college bred boys left the
farm was not hard to understand.
The trouble lies in education. he said.
Teach their parents to farm intelli-
gently, as has been taught their sons,
and their sons would remain at home"
Elmer e. Brown, United States com
missioner of education, spoke before
the department on kindergarten train
ing.
Four new men appeared prominently
in the race for the presidency, regard
less Of the fact that a movement has
been placed to offer the office to Elmer
E. Brown. The candidate thus far are
nj. y, A Ia
w. Joiner, superintendent of public in
struction North Carolina; Ben Blewett.
superintendent of schools, st. Louis,
and A. S. Downing first assistant prin-
! cipal. New York city sch ools.
In the state teachers association de-
partment, which held meeting in the
afternoon, N. B. Baker of Alabama,
president of the department, told Of
the activities of the Alabama associa-
tion, which has enrolled 1900 members
in three years. Mr.. Baker is also mem
toned for the presidency of the Ma
tional Education association.
Nicholas Murray Butler. president Of
Columbia university, laid down a rule
for good citizenship tonight when he
told the members of the association
that Liberty under Law is the ideal
state Of existence.
"Ethics in Civil Life" was discussed
by John w. Abercrombie. president Of
the University Of Alabama.
Abercrombie's Address.
Mr. Abercrombie spoke as follows:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen
] invite you to consideration Of a trite
but important subject, Ethics in Civic
Life; or the Obligations of Citizenship"
Civic life relates to home and society and
business and church and state, and out
of those relationships grow the many and
complex obligations. moral or legal
Every good government, civic, social or
religious is founded upon the principles
of human duty, and no civil government
can be administered successfully unless
there Is harmony of relationship between
the character of Its institutions and the
ethical standards Of it's members. AS gov
ernments vary In plan and development
SO will relationships and standards. Sue
cessful monarchy is possible under moral
standa rds quite different from those which
are essential in efficient democracy. Bar
ba rism and civilization have few ideals
in common.
AS citizens our relationships. responsible
tiles and standards are peculiar to our
form of government and to the age In
which we live. What are the relations
of democratic citizenship? What the re-
sultant obligations? What the essential
standards? Do we realize those rela tions
appreciate those relations live up to those
standards?
Some Civic Relations.
Tho home. source and nursery of every
civic and social virtue, grows out of the
marriage relation and the first and most
lasting of obligations originates there
The relations of child to parent, of pap
ent to child, of child to child, and Of
parent to parent, are natural and from
them spring sweet and sacred obligations.
which cannot be disregarded without a
pollution OF the wellsprings of life. With
fldelty, patience and pleasure should those
obligations be borne?
The relations and obligations arising In
everyday life are great and numerous
CONTINUED ON PAGE iO.)