Page images
PDF
EPUB

tions, we would know how to begin and how to move on. That is what we want to learn to-day, and I should be glad if the discussion should turn in that direction. We want information upon this very point: how can we represent our educational matters at Philadelphia? We want to know that immediately. If I am to accept this secretaryship, I want to know to whom I am to address circulars; what information we wish to try to gather for the purposes indicated; how we shall present a fair statement of our educational matters at the Exposition. I do believe that our State desires to be fully represented at this Exposition, and I think that, if there is anything in which I take a just pride, it is in our school-system. But I want information on this subject. How are we to present ourselves at the door of the Exposition? Mr. WICKERSHAM. That is the very question in point. We wish to have this needed information disseminated. Now, here are gentlemen from all parts of the Union seeking this information. I found the same inquiry at Philadelphia. We must have some head, from which this information can be sent abroad. First, we must know what space we are going to have. Then some person in authority must determine the character of the exhibition. I take it that, when this committee is appointed by this body, its members will confer with the Centennial authorities and ascertain what their views are on the subject. And they will make some arrangements with the Centennial authorities which will be specific and thoroughly intelligible and upon which satisfactory communications can be sent to the superintendents in Iowa and to all the proper educational authorities in the various States in the Union. The first duty laid upon this Centennial commission, when our committee is appointed, will be to supply information in reply to these questions. I have been asked similar questions in Philadelphia, but I had to confess my inability to answer them. It is high time we were up and doing. I made inquiries myself, at Philadelphia, of the Centennial authorities, but of course I could not obtain any thoroughly satisfactory replies. I had not the time to press inquiries that were proper, nor had I the authority to do so. The commission will tell you in a general way that they mean to have at the Exposition a large amount of space devoted to educational purposes. Some will say that they want to devote more attention to that department than to anything else, but they have no clear ideas as to its character; when you come to details, they can give you no reply. The question must be put authoritatively, "How many square or cubic feet of space are you going to allow for the educational department?" and in regard to the characteristics of that department there must be courteous consultation with the Centennial authorities, for they are the authorities in the premises. I repeat: It is necessary to get down to businessprinciples; and when your committee has the proper authority to communicate with the Centennial managers, the information required will be rapidly obtained and promptly disseminated to all parts of the Union. Then we can go into the work of harmonious arrangement; then the dif

ferent States can fall into line in co-operation and contributions without hesitancy and without doubt, and all the desirable variety of exhibition can be secured to the satisfaction of each State and for the promotion of the general interests of the Exposition.

Mr. A. P. MARBLE, superintendent of schools at Worcester, Mass. As I understand the proposition, it seems to me that this is the most direct method for obtaining the result which we all desire. I understand that an executive committee is, under this resolution, to be formed out of the general committee, which embraces all the superintendents represented in this department. The object will be to have an efficient body of men, who can consult with the Centennial authorities and also raise the funds necessary for securing proper representation in the forthcoming Exposition. I think there will be entire unanimity in debating this proposition; but I rose more particularly to make a remark which I think will bring my friend Mr. Richards into perfect harmony with the last speaker. The action of this body last year was published to the friends of education, and carried more particularly to the officers of the educational boards in the different States. That action was virtually adopted by the National Educational Association. I was an officer of that association and present at its last meeting. It seemed to be conceded that the action taken here was proper and sufficient; and, although I am not authorized directly to speak for the National Educational Association, yet I am convinced that I am correct in saying that the action of this body was virtually approved by the national society and that reliance is placed upon your action here in carrying out the objects which have been set forth by Mr. Wickersham. The National Educational Association looks to this body, to this department, to adopt all necessary means for the end proposed. That, I understand, covers the objection raised by my friend on the left.

Mr. WICKERSHAM. I am very glad to hear the explanation which has been made by the gentleman who has just taken his seat. I think it must remove any objection that can be properly raised to the adoption of this resolution. As far as I am concerned, I take great pleasure in expressing my approval now of the motion as it stands.

The resolution offered by Mr. Wickersham was then unanimously adopted, and the president was instructed to appoint the committee. The president announced that the names of the committee whose appointment was authorized under the resolution would be given at the commencement of the evening-session.

The PRESIDENT. I stated that the editor of the New England Journal of Education had sent a large number of copies of his journal to me, with the request that they should be distributed among the members. We should be pleased to have members take copies for themselves and their friends, so far as they will go. I presume it is understood by all the members of the department that the New England

journals of education have been consolidated into this new publication, which appears weekly.

Mr. PHILBRICK. I would like to say one word in regard to that matter, Mr. President. I would like to say that the gentlemen representing the various educational journals of New England, the editors and principal supporters of those journals in the educational bureaus of the several States, after experience of some twenty-five or thirty years in the publication of educational papers, have come to the conclusion that it would be best to combine and concentrate their influence and their patronage on one journal. They came to the conclusion that, instead of scattering their forces by the publication of a number of monthly journals in the different States, they would combine for the issuance of one journal which should thoroughly and ably represent the educational institutions and interests of the people of New England. They have found a man of eminent ability to fill the chair of editor, who will devote his whole time to the work. He has had a great deal of experi ence in educational matters, and was lately the superintendent of schools in the State of Rhode Island. It is hoped that the journal will be made to fully answer all reasonable requirements of a thoroughly able and comprehensive medium for the friends of education throughout that section of the country. And even something more is hoped. It is expected that it will assume something of a national character, not in the interests of a section, but the educational interests of the people in every part of the country will be considered. We hope the teachers throughout the country will come forward and examine the journal, and, if they conclude it worth while, lend their co-operation in its support and improvement. It is a weekly journal. It is intended to have it placed at a high standard as an authoritative exponent of the best ideas in regard to educational facilities and improvement. I would suggest that each member take ten or twelve copies of the paper, if he sees fit.

Rev. Dr. HAROLD. I will ask for the privilege of offering a resolution. The PRESIDENT. I suppose that the privilege of offering a resolution is confined to members of the department.

Dr. HAROLD. I would like to ask the privilege, but, if it is not the rule that such a privilege shall be granted, I will not press my offer.

The PRESIDENT. I think that has been the rule. While we ask the friends of education present to participate in our discussions, only members are entitled to offer resolutions-either members of the department or of the national association. Every friend of the cause of educa tion can become a member of the national association. The treasurer of the national association is here, and may think proper to offer some additional explanations in regard to the matter.

Mr. MARBLE. I state, for the information of all present, that this department has the privilege of deciding who its members shall be, but, necessarily, its members are members of the national association. No

one can be a member of this department unless he is first a member of the national association. Any friend of education can become attached to the national association by signing the constitution and paying $2. There is an annual payment of $1, which entitles the member to a volume of the proceedings for the year. I notice in the list of members that there are several members of this body present who are not members of the national association. I wish to say, as treasurer of the national association, of which this is a part, that, while it may not be true that the first and second and third need is money, it is literally true that the fourth need of the association is money. The national association has been accustomed to publish a volume of proceedings each year. This volume, as I have already stated, is supplied to each member of the association without charge. The committee on publication last year published a volume of three hundred and seventy-five pages. It contains very valuable papers. Among them is a paper by Dr. Peabody upon elective studies of colleges, a paper by Professor Clark upon the question of co-education of the sexes, and a paper by Dr. Venable, of the University of Virginia. We incurred an expense of $1,500 in publishing the volume. There was in the treasury about $500, which left an indebtedness of $1,000 to be made up from the sales of the volume. The affairs of the publishing committee are as follows: Entire expense of this publication, $1,524, of which $854 has been paid, leav ing a balance of $670 due to the committee on publication. Each member of the association has been furnished with a volume. Now, of this $670 about $200 is supposed to be provided for by gentlemen who have pledged themselves to take a certain number of volumes and pay for them. But that $200 is not yet in any official pocket, and it would not do to count upon any more than $170 of it. So that there is really a deficit of something like $500 to be made up from the sale of seven nundred and fifty volumes of the proceedings. Now, what I am looking to at this present time is this: to change these seven hundred and fifty volumes into $500, to liquidate the debt of the association, and to put these volumes into the hands of leading educators throughout the country. A vast amount of good will be done by putting these volumes into the hands of teachers who will read and profit by them. The plan proposed is this: for each State or State-superintendent to order from the chairman of the publication-committee twenty or twenty-five copies of these proceedings, at a cost of $1.50 for each of the first ten volumes ordered. Let each State order as many as is thought fit, from the chairman of the publication-committee, and pay for them, and let the debt be paid. Then the distribution can be made by the superintendents. I will not detain the attention of the assembly any longer; I will only remark that this volume of proceedings is very valuable and will be appreciated by all who purchase it.

Mr. ABERNETHY. How can copies be obtained now?

The PRESIDENT. By addressing A. P. Marble, superintendent of pub

lic schools of Worcester, Mass. He is the chairman of the publicationcommittee.

General EATON presented and read letters from Hon. John M. McKleroy, superintendent of public instruction, Alabama, who writes:

I regret that the immense amount of labor now on my hands in the office here and the inadequate clerical force at command preclude my attending the approaching session of the department of superintendence.

From Hon. Thomas B. Stockwell, commissioner of public schools of Rhode Island, who writes:

In regard to the superintendents' meeting, it would give me great pleasure to attend, and my office-labors, however pressing, would not keep me away, but the health of my family is such at this juncture that I dare not leave home even for a day or two.

From Hon. A. Parish, superintendent of public schools, New Haven, Conn., who writes:

The pleasant remembrance I have of our meeting last year renders my desire to visit your city again on a like occasion quite intense; but yesterday the secretary of our board, my chum in the office, fell and broke his arm and is quite helpless, and my presence here is indispensable.

From Hon. John Fraser, superintendent of public instruction, State of Kansas, who writes:

I regret that I cannot attend the meeting of superintendents on the 27th instant. The Kansas legislature being in session, I must remain at my post.

From Hon. Charles S. Smart, State-commissioner of schools of Ohio, who writes:

I can readily understand the valuable opportunity the meeting of the superintendencedepartment of the National Teachers' Association would afford me for learning much that I shall want to know. It will, unfortunately for me, be quite impossible for me to be present at that meeting on the 27th instant.

From Hon. J. H. Smart, superintendent of public schools, Fort Wayne, Ind., who writes:

I regret that an unusual pressure of business will render it impossible for me to accept your invitation.

From Hon. Warren Johnson, State-superintendent of common schools of Maine, who writes:

I regret very much that I cannot have the privilege and pleasure of meeting face to face my brother-superintendents, of grasping them heartily by the hand, and especially of sitting down sociably by the national educational fireside to glean from the observations and experiences of my fellow-laborers items of cheer and information for my own enlightenment.

From Hon. J. H. Binford, superintendent of city-schools, Richmond, Va., who writes:

I had confidently expected to be present and had anticipated great pleasure and profit from the meeting, but the condition of my health is such that I dare not leave home at this time.

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »