Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-28
TEACHERS FAVOR
ORGANIZATION OF
STATE SOCIETY
Endorsing Resolution Adopted
This Morning at County
Institute.
H. 3. HAYDEN IS SPONSOR
Regular Program Of Day includes In
struetiVe Lectures by Or. coff-
man and Miss Fox.

Resolved, That we, the teachers Of
Rock Island county in institute as
sembled, hereby go on record as fav-
oring the plan Of the organization to
be known as the Illinois Federation of
Teachers"
o The foregoing resolution was pre-
sented by Principal A. j. Burton TO
the morning session of the county in
situte now being held at the high
school and was unanimously adopted
by the teachers Of the county after
superintendent Hayden had been
yielded the floor by Superintendent
Ferguson TO explain the nature and
purpose of the federation.
Mr.. Hayden stated that the organi-
cation would be a branch OF the state
teachers association, and that mem
Der of the federation would be EMIT
led 10 the benefits and privileges of
that organization. THE object" he
said, lis to secure cooperation among
all the teachers of the state especial
~ as regards remedial educational leg
islation. We want an organization
that will do things in i systematic
business-like manner"
HAS WIDE ENFORCEMENT.
The plan of the federation has been
submitted TO all of the sectional asso-
Citations OF the state and has been
ratified by them. This summer its
nature and purpose has been present
ed 10 the teachers assembled in coun-
~ Institutes over the state, and pTac-
tically all have endorsed it,
In case the federation is formed as
seems probable, it will put out a
monthly publication TO be known as
the Illinois Teachers magazine. The
publication is to deal chiefly with
school news over the state, to ac-
quaint the teachers of one section
with those Of another, and to pre-
sent 10 all, things that are foremost in
7he manner Of remedial educational
legislation, and thereby insure the ac-
tive support of practically all Of the
teachers in securing favorable legis-
lation.
Dr. Lotus Coffman prefaced his lee
turc this morning with a few remarks
concerning the movement. He said
that for G5 years. remedial legisla.
ton had been advocated by the teach
crs here and there. but practically
nothing had been accomplished be,
cause OF the lack of organization
The blame rests largely upon the
teachers" he said
DISCUSSES HABITS.
Launching into his theme proper
Dr. Coifman continued the discussion
or habit forming in relation TO the
drill recitation.
Every act counts In our habits. y
he declared Have the children q,
the first day what you expect them
10 do throughout the year. This
sometimes causes a little turmoil JUS
at first. but in the end wins respect
IL one is absolutely fair in insisting
upon these habits"
To illustrate. he told the story oil
Rip Van Wrinkle who took one drink
and said he would not count that one;
he took another and in like manner
did not count II. AS matter o.
fact, however. every drink did count
with the we'll known result. And Sc
st is with our habits. he contended
"No one has any thoughts, commits
any act. or has any feelings that are
not stored away ia the lower center,
OF his conscious life. there TO remain
Until they come forth least expected.
GIVES FLUCTUATIONS.
DIR. Coffman illustrated this by z
number OF specific instances. One wa.
Of a girl who had been a servant il
the home OF a Hebrew instructor. Tn,
girl had heard him read and read. bu
understood not a word of what h
read. Later on her mind became al
tected and she would recite passag,
after passage of Hebrew she haC
heard the professor read. The alien
lists were puzzled and they investi
gated and learned of her stay in tn,
home where she had heard so much
OF the language. The higher nerv,
centers had given away. and in IN,
lower was stored the impressions sh.
had received from hearing 4 languag,
which she did not understand.
Other cases were cited where Grim
lhals had come undtr the influence O
liquor. and the lower centers hat
again been allowed TO assert them
selves while damaging revelation
were made Others OF cases Of de
hrium from fevers with the same re
suit.
MUST ALWAYS BE BEST.
NO person has any right TO DO an,
less than his best TO think anything
less than his best, for sometime thes
things will crop out least expecte,
and may cause US embarrassment"
DR.. Coffmau took issue with thos,
people who believe that the child
Personality should no; be interfere,
with, but that the child should b.
given the greatest freedom to follow
cut his own desires. He declared tina