questionings, bent only on doing their duty by their king. As they tramped on thru the stilly night there burst from them a song: a hymn of praise, an old, old prayer for help in time of need. Inarticulate creatures, these, save in this one faculty shared in common, irrespective of tongues or conditions. What does that song mean? Isn't there something in it beyond the words? Doesn't the blood flow quicker, the heart grow warmer, as each feels the strength of a common sympathy and a common purpose as they sing the old, old tunes? Is there not something in their hearts beyond what words can teach? Could they would they have expressed it, but for the music? We are reminded of Voltaire's famous gibe: "What is too silly to be said is sung." Shall we not rather say: What is beyond the reach of words may find expression in music? Darwin's pathetic statement that he had become, thru his entire devotion to scientific pursuits, a mere machine for cataloging the habits of earthworms, and that poetry and music were no longer a pleasure to him; the testimony of our own experience, if we have ever come under the influence of Beethoven or Brahms, or of our own observation of those hard-headed people who have never felt the softening and ennobling influence of music, and who look on the world of the imagination as an entire unreality; Ruskin's saying that the love of beauty is a natural instinct in every healthy human soul; Emerson's famous lines from "The Rhodora": . . . If eyes were made for seeing, Then beauty is its own excuse for being; Carlyle's "See deeply enough and you see musically"-these and a hundred other significant facts testify to the value of music as a factor in life. The old poets who sang of the music of the spheres and of celestial harmonies, who tell us that all things pulsate with a divine rhythm, and that life is everywhere and always a harmony, were not merely euphonistic. May it not be that, after we have resolved the many dissonances of which life is now so full, but which are lessening year by year, we shall at last come to a perfect harmony and live in that world of music of which the old prophets sang? DEPARTMENT OF SUPERINTENDENCE CHICAGO MEETING, 1901 SECRETARY'S MINUTES FIRST DAY MORNING SESSION.-TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1901 The Department of Superintendence was called to order in University Hall of the Fine Arts Building, Chicago, Ill., at 10 A. M., President L. D. Harvey in the chair. Prayer was offered by Dr. E. E. White, Columbus, O. After a few announcements by the president, Mr. E. G. Cooley, superintendent of the Chicago schools, was introduced and presented the first paper of the meeting, upon "The Gospel of Work." The paper was discussed by Superintendent E. H. Mark, Louisville, Ky. Mr. Howard J. Rogers, director of education and social economy, United States exhibit at the Paris Exposition, gave an address upon "Education at the Paris Exposition." The following question had been assigned a place upon the program by vote of the department at the meeting in 1900: Should the Department of Superintendence memorialize the Board of Directors of the National Educa. tional Association to appropriate the sum of $1,000 for each of the next five years, to be expended in promoting the cause of simplifying our English spelling, under the direction of a commission to be named by this body? The discussion of the question was opened by Mr. E. O. Vaile, editor of the Intelligence, Oak Park, Ill. Others participating in the discussion were: John MacDonald, editor of the Western School Journal, Topeka, Kan.; Principal E. B. Prettyman, Maryland; Colonel F. W. Parker, Chicago; Mr. Slosson Thompson, of the Times-Herald, Chicago; and Superintendent Joseph Carter, Champaign, Ill. The time for the discussion having expired, and announcement to that effect being made by the president, Mr. Soldan, St. Louis, moved that the time be extended thirty minutes. Carried. The discussion was continued by Dr. E. E. White, Columbus, O.; Superintendent L. H. Jones, Cleveland, O.; Dr. W. T. Harris, United States Commissioner of Education; and was closed by Mr. Vaile, who offered the following resolution : Resolved, That this department respectfully presents the following petition to the Board of Directors of the National Educational Association, and asks for its favorable action thereon, [For full text of the petition see Mr. Vaile's address, p. 209.] Superintendent C. G. Pearse, Omaha, Neb., moved that the resolution be indefinitely postponed. Superintendent Joseph H. Carter, Champaign, Ill., moved to lay the motion to postpone upon the table. Vote upon motion to table: yeas, 74; nays, 104. Motion declared lost. Vote upon indefinite postponement: yeas, 105; nays, 77. The motion to indefinitely postpone was declared carried. Motion to adjourn to 2: 30 P. M. carried. AFTERNOON SESSION The department was called to order by President Harvey at 2:40 P. M. Superintendent J. M. Greenwood presented a paper upon “The Past and Future Work of the Department of Superintendence." Superintendent F. B. Cooper, Salt Lake City, Utah, opened the discussion. Dr. E. E. White moved that the paper of Superintendent Greenwood be published by the Board of Directors in form for general distribution. The motion was amended to include Dr. White's "Historical Sketch of the Department." Carried. Dr. W. S. Christopher, Chicago, gave an address upon "Medical Inspection in Schools.". The following discussion was participated in by Superintendent Aaron Gove, Denver; Superintendent E. P. Seaver, Boston; Superintendent W. H. Maxwell, New York city; and Dr. W. O. Krohn, Chicago. After various announcements the meeting adjourned to meet at 8:15 P. M. EVENING SESSION The meeting was called to order at 8:15 P. M. by President Harvey. The president announced that President Arthur T. Hadley of Yale University, who was to have delivered the address of the evening, had been called home by the dangerous illness of his daughter. He then introduced President James H. Baker of the University of Colorado, who by invitation read President Hadley's address upon "The Use and Control of Examinations." The meeting adjourned to 9:30 Wednesday morning. SECOND DAY MORNING SESSION.-WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 The meeting was called to order by President Harvey at 9: 50 A. M. The following committees were announced: COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS Superintendent L. H. Jones, Cleveland, O. Superintendent C. E. Chadsey, North Denver, Colo. Principal E. O. Lyte, Millersville, Pa. Papers were presented by J. H. Trybom, supervisor of manual training, Detroit, Mich., on "Manual Training in the Elementary Schools of Detroit;" by Principal Henry S. Tibbits, Chicago, Ill., on "The Progress and Aims of Domestic Science in Chicago;" by Superintendent Judson E. Hoyt, Menomonie, Wis., on "Work in Manual Training in the Public Schools of Menomonie, Wis." Dr. A. E. Winship, Boston, was recognized at this point, and in a brief speech presented President Harvey with a gavel with which to regulate discussion. The papers presented were discussed by Colonel F. W. Parker, Mr. J. H. Stout, Menomonie, Wis.; Mr. Bevans, Aurora, Ill.; Superintendent Joseph Carter, Champaign, Ill.; Professor C. M. Woodward, St. Louis; Superintendent George Griffith, Utica, N. Y.; and Mr. Trybom, Detroit. Professor R. Charles Bates, supervisor of manual training, Tome Institute, Port Deposit, Md., read a paper on the "Possibilities of Manual Training for Moral Ends." After various announcements the meeting adjourned. AFTERNOON SESSION Round-table meetings were held during the afternoon as follows, convening at 2 P. M.: I. "City Superintendents in Large Cities." Leader, Superintendent F. Louis Soldan, St. Louis, The topic discussed was "Organization of the Work of Inspection and Supervision thru Assistant Teachers and Principals, so as to Reach the Grade Teacher." The discussion was participated in by Superintendent L. H. Jones, Cleveland, O.; Superintendent William F. Slayton, Atlanta, Ga.; Superintendent H. O. R. Siefert, Milwau kee, Wis.; District Superintendent Leslie Lewis, Chicago; Superintendent William N. Hailmann, Dayton, O.; Mr. Anderson, Milwaukee, Wis.; Superintendent Soldan, St. Louis; Superintendent Z. H. Brown, Nashville, Tenn.; Superintendent William J. M. Cox, Moline, Ill.; District Superintendent Miss M. Elizabeth Farson, Chicago; Superintendent Thomas M. Balliet, Springfield, Mass.; Superintendent E. H. Mark, Louisville, Ky.; District Superintendent A. G. Lane, Chicago; Superintendent C. G. Pearse, Omaha; District Superintendent Charles D. Lowry, Chicago. II. "City Superintendents in Small Cities." Section A.- Leader, Superintendent L. E. Wolfe, Kansas City, Kan. The questions discussed were: "The Work of the Superintendent in Small Cities in Developing Greater Efficiency in the Teaching Force;" "The Advancement of Pupils thru the Grades along a Straight, Rather than a Broken, Line of Progress;" "How Shall We Secure Better Teaching from Those under Our Supervision?" The discussion of the first question was participated in by Superintendent A. K. Whitcomb, Lowell, Mass.; Superintendent J. H. Glotfelter, Atchison, Kan.; Superintendent W. F. F. Selleck, Austin, Minn.; Superintendent Joseph Carter, Champaign, Ill.; Superintendent Darius Steward, Stillwater, Minn. President I. C. McNeill of the West Superior Normal School, Wisconsin, opened the discussion of the second question named, and it was continued by Superintendent Arthur Powell, Marion, O.; Superintendent R. A. Ogg, Kokomo, Ind.; Superintendent F. Treudley, Youngstown, O.; President John R. Kirk, State Normal School, Kirksville, Mo.; Superintendent M. A. Whitney, Elgin, Ill.; Superintendent F. V. Hubbard, Red Wing, Minn.; Superintendent John Richeson, East St. Louis, Ill.; Superintendent George V. Buchanan, Sedalia, Mo.; Superintendent McDonald, Henderson, Ky.; Professor C. M. Woodward, St. Louis; Superintendent Aaron Gove, Denver; Superintendent P. R. Walker, Rockford, Ill. Superintendent George Griffith, Utica, N. Y., discussed the question: "How Shall We Secure Better Teaching from Those under Our Supervision ?" Section B.- Leader, Superintendent William J. Shearer, Elizabeth, N. J. The topic discussed was: "Grading for Efficient Organization in the Interest of Pupils." Those participating in the discussion were: Superintendent Shearer; Superintendent E. N... Coleman, Fort Dodge, Ia.; Superintendent Charles W. Deane, Bridgeport, Conn. Section C.-Leader, Superintendent T. A. Mott, Richmond, Ind. The subject discussed was: "Correlation of High-School and Grammar-Grade Work." The discussion was opened by Superintendent F. D. Boynton, Ithaca, N. Y., and continued by Superintendent C. M. Bardwell, Aurora, Ill.; Professor A. F. Smith, Kansas City, Mo.; Professor Daniel E. Phillips, Denver University; Principal George H. Rockwood, Chicago; Superintendent C. S. Marsh, North Tonawanda, N. Y.; Superintendent T. A. Mott, Richmond, Ind.; Superintendent Smith, Danville, Ill.; Dr. A. E. Winship, Boston; Superintendent J. F. Keating, Pueblo, Colo.; Superintendent J. N. Study, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Principal Samuel B. Hursh, Streator, Ill.; Superintendent Edward Ayres, La Fayette, Ind.; Superintendent Barto, Princeton, Ill.; Superintendent J. W. Carr, Anderson, Ind.; Superintendent B. F. Moore, Marion, Ind. The discussion was concluded by Superintendent Boynton, Ithaca, who summed up the points made in the discussion. Section D.-Leader, Augustus S. Downing, principal of Teachers' Training School, New York, N. Y. The question under discussion was "Literature in Grades below the High School." The discussion was opened by Miss Mae E. Schreiber, of the Department of Public Instruction, Madison, Wis. III. "State and County Superintendents." Leader, State Superintendent L. D. Bonebrake, Ohio. The topic discussed was: "The Consolidation of Schools and Transportation of Pupils." The discussion was opened by State Superintendent Alfred Bayliss, Illinois. Others participating were: County Superintendent O. J. Kern, Rockford, Ill.; Superintendent Gross, De Kalb county, Ill.; State Superintendent Frank L. Jones, Indiana; Professor A. J. Hutton, Whitewater Normal School, Wisconsin; Superintendent A. B. Graham, Springfield, O.; State Superintendent J. W. Olsen, Minnesota; State Superintendent R. C. Barrett, Iowa; State Superintendent Skinner, New York; Superintendent Nattrass, La Fayette county, Wis.; County Superintendent Miss Fanny G. Gies, Mower county, Minn.; County Superintendent O. T. Bright, Cook county, Ill.; State Superintendent W. T. Carrington, Missouri; State Superintendent T. T. Tynan, Wyoming. After the close of the discussion Chairman Bonebrake introduced Division Superintendent M. S. Stone, of the Philippine Islands, who spoke of educational work in those islands. Superintendent Bayliss introduced the following resolution, which was adopted: 1. That it is the opinion of this round table of state and county superintendents that it is desirable that we have legislation providing that any group of school districts may be consolidated, and provision be made for carrying children to and from school at public expense. 2. That it is desirable that the proposition be systematically presented to the people of rural communities. 3. That we ask that the question be made a part of the general program of the Department of Superintendence for next year. State Superintendent Charles R. Skinner, of New York, made a motion that a committee of three be selected to present a report on the present conditions of rural schools to the directors of the National Educational Association at Detroit next July, and to ask for an appropriation to carry on further investigation of consolidation of schools and transportation of pupils. The motion was amended to a "committee of five" and carried. A committee, composed of Superintendent Alfred Bayliss, of Illinois; Superintendent R. C. Barrett, of Iowa; Superintendent Frank L. Jones, of Indiana; Superintendent Charles R. Skinner, of New York; and State Commissioner L. D. Bonebrake, of Ohio, was then appointed. The following officers of the round table were elected for next year: chairman, Hon. Frank L. Jones, state superintendent of Indiana; secretary, Miss Fanny G. Gies, superintendent of schools of Mower county, Minn. On motion, the meeting adjourned until the second day of the National Educational Association at Detroit next July. IV. Round Table of Training Teachers. Leader, Miss Isabel Lawrence, St. Cloud, Minn. The subject discussed was: "The Observation of Experts as a Means of Training — Its Value and Limitations." Those taking part in the discussion were: Miss Sarah C. Brooks, supervisor of primary schools, St. Paul; Professor J. S. Gaylord, State Normal School, Winona, Minn.; Superintendent W. A. Shoemaker, St. Cloud, Minn.; Miss Amalie Hofer, Kindergarten Magazine, Chicago; President John W. Cook, Northern Illinois State Normal School, De Kalb; Principal W. A. Baldwin, State Normal School, Hyannis, Mass.; Mr. E. C. Bronson, Normal School, Athens, Ga.; Miss Ada Van Stone Harris, supervisor of primary schools, Newark, N. J.; Professor G. E. Maxwell, State Normal School, Winona, Minn.; Miss Hughes, Cambridge, Eng.; Miss Katherine Dopp, Chicago; Dean James E. Russell, Teachers College, New York. |