SCHOOL

Editorial Notes.

School Education Helps will appear regularly. Author's vacations have interfered with them.

The State Educational Association will convene at the capitol, Saint Paul, Dec. 26, 27 and 28. President J. Q. Mackintosh, Langdon; Secretary, S. A. Farnsworth, Saint Paul.

One is placed in an embarrassing position when forced to acknowledge that his friends have extended courtesies beyond his ability to use them. We apologize for having asked reports of the summer schools which we cannot print. We are smothered with matter for which we have not space in this number, hence we print only a few hints and deductions from the reports of summer schools. Complimentary notices and statements that teachers have been benefited and schools will be improved, will be reported from the several counties with other items that may be sent us during the year.

Teachers who have had the pleasure of listening to Miss Sarah Arnold's admirable talks on school subjects will be glad to learn that she has written a book showing, aims, principles, and plans of every day, teaching and presenting many illustrative lessons of great value. Persons acquainted with Miss Arnold's style need not be told that her sentences are not weighed down with words of "learned length and thundering sound." The humblest teacher can read, understand without a dictionary, and can be profited by what is written. [See notice elsewhere in this number.]

Nature Study.

We do not think it egotistical to say that SCHOOL EDUCATION leads all educational papers in the United States by its enterprise in publishing the beautiful and useful July number, 'devoted exclusively to Nature Study. No better evidence of this could be offered than the letter printed on page 20. Compliments reach us from all directions and the demand for it continues. Subscribers who have failed to receive their copy should notify us at once. New subscribers to SCHOOL EDUCATION can have subscriptions dated back to July if they desire, and then Nature Study will be sent without additional expense to them.

The very many friends of Charles B. Scott are sorry to lose from among us one who is so enthusiastic and unswervingly honest in all his educational work. The influence of his conscientious service will remain. All will be pleased, however to know that he continues in charge of the Nature Study Department of SCHOOL EDUCATION, from his new field in the state normal school at Oswego, New York. He will be in position to commingle the thoughts of eastern teachers with ours, and this cannot fail to prove profitable to us, as we trust it will to our new him at his new address. friends. Keep in touch with Mr. Scott by writing

THE GREAT CATASTROPHE.

We cannot doubt that the hearts of all our readers have been profoundly stirred over and over again by the daily reports of the terrible calamity which has befallen Hinckley and other towns in the timbered section of our state. In the mysterious economy of nature, earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and tornados of flame, doubtless, have their uses; but it is only when we see how the fountains of human sympathy are widened, deepened, and made to overflow, that we can ful destruction. The bursting of the bands of selfishfeel that society has any compensation for such fearness, the quick opening of many hearts, the stretching of numberless hands to succor the unfortunate, is the silver lining to this dark cloud of misfortune. The widespread, spontaneous movement in behalf of the sufferers is a spectacle which may well increase our confidence in the innate goodness of human nature; it is a prophecy of that time when men shall forget themselves in ministering to others.

Education, published in Boston, saw fit to apply "thief" to Editor Niles, in May last, before extending to Mr. Niles or to SCHOOL EDUCATION the courtesy to explain what it disliked. The cause was the publication of Dr. Baker's article which he desired SCHOOL EDUCATION to print after it had appeared in Education, that it might have a wider circulation than Education could afford it, a matter which Mr. Niles personally had nothing to do with. The merits of the case are not of public interest, and we would take no notice of it had Education seen fit to apologize for calling so honorable an editor as Sanford Niles "a thief," after learning that Mr. Niles had

nothing to do with the publication. Our only regret now in mentioning this is that it gives the matter wider circulation than the Boston journal could afford it.

VERTICAL PENMANSHIP.

This cranky craze has not the merit of a "fad," for a fad is, at least, the labored expression of an educational idea, new or old, based on an educational principle, but no new or neglected principle of writing can be developed by the vertical writing craze. Who cares, or who has cared for years, whether Johnny writes a vertical hand, or at an angle of 40 or 60 degrees? Teach Johnny to write a neat and legible hand by teaching Johnny to write. Penmanship is primarily an art, based on scientific principles, of course, but slant is not one of them.

It is a shame that many children are to be set back more in penmanship during this school year, than they can be advanced in five years to come. It seems probable that many who have now a fair individual style, acquired either naturally, or by training, will lose this choicest art of good writing because a few who are in command have "gone daft."

LONGER TERMS OF SERVICE.

California has a law providing that teachers shall be dismissed only for violations of the rules of the school board, for incompetency, for unprofessional or immoral conduct. Districts may, however, employ teachers for a definite term, thus making the law virtually optional. This is a move towards greater permanency, and it shows that teaching is being more and more regarded as a profession. When teachers are employed nine months in the year, at even fair wages, and it is generally understood that they are to retain their positions so long as they render faithful service, the ranks will be kept full by the more ambitious and better educated young men and women now constantly tempted to leave school work for something that pays. The reports from the The reports from the Department of Public Instruction show that the average school year in Minnesota is being lengthened; that the number of teachers continued in the same district year after year is slowly increasing.

OUR COUNTRY'S FLAG.

The lecture on "Our Country's Flag," by Mrs. Eugenia Wheeler Goff, of Minneapolis, proved to be a charming and most valuable feature of the fifteen summer schools where it was delivered, and it is hoped that the Department of Public Instruction will see that other sections of the state are favored. From beginning to end the lecture breathes the spirit of true patriotism and no one can listen to it without gaining a broad view of what the flag means to the

citizen, to the soldier, to the country. Such a lecture should be heard by the pupils of every high school in Minnesota.

EXPERIENCE IN SCHOOL SUPERVISION.

Of two persons having equal scholastic attainments and equal natural ability, the one who has served a term or more as county superintendent can do most for the schools, for the reason that he knows the standing of teachers, the needs of the several districts, the character of officers and people throughout the county; and is familiar with the management of institutes and associations, and with the details of his official work. In the end, the other may prove as good an officer, but he has not been tested and must spend much precious time in gaining experience.

A superintendent who has the respect of capable teachers and other good men and women; who has kept himself in the front rank, working faithfully and effectively for the public schools of his county, should not be lightly set aside.

Neither party nor sect should be allowed to stand against any man. A candidate's education, moral character, interest in school affairs, energy, tact, experience, breadth of view, are the things to be looked up before the ballot is cast.

It would be well if prejudice could be set aside and all parties agree ou the best man or woman to lead the educational forces; but as this is hardly to be expected, we advise teachers to be loyal to the best interests of the schools, rather than to any political party.

In saying all this we would not have the reader infer that we place experience above everything else. Some may have been permitted to have altogether too much experience. They may have proved themselves utterly inefficient, mere place-holders through party influence. Of the qualifications of present superintendents teachers must judge. To hold the incompetent in office, though full of experience, is not their duty. In some counties teachers hold the balance of power, and a solid vote cast for a good man is likely to result in his election. This fact should be remembered.

CUT THEM OFF.

From reports that reach us we fear that some county superintendents and training-school conductors have lost sight of the fact that summer schools teaching in the schools of the state," and for no other are organized for the benefit of those who "purpose class of persons. Sec. 1 of the law relating to training schools is very explicit. It reads as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction shall annually, as he may deem advisable, organize, by and with the assistance of the several county superintendents of schools, and with the

aid of skilled instructors, conduct training schools for the benefit of teachers who purpose teaching in the schools of the state, but are unable to attend a full course at a state normal school. Such schools shall be without charge for attendance and entirely practical, their object being to impart methods of teaching, especially in common schools. They shall continue for at least four and not more than six weeks at each place, and the average cost shall not exceed the rate of one hundred dollars for each week of the session of a school of sixty persons.

The enrollment of high school pupils or others who do not propose to teach at an early day, is clearly contrary to the letter and spirit of the law, and, in most cases, works a positive injury to the school. The admission of a score, more or less, of boys and girls whose ambition, if they have any, is to coach up on certain branches, who have not the least interest in methods of teaching, who are bound to have what they call "a good time," lowers the character of the training school, has a tendency to make the teaching academic rather than professional, discourages teachers by classifying them with mere pupils, not infrequently with their own, adds to the labor and perplexity of instructors, and often increases the expense to the state.

The highest success of the summer school depends on holding them to their work, as defined by law. They are established "to impart methods of teaching, especially in the common schools," and applicants

who neither need nor desire this kind of instruction should be ruled out. The high schools are open to them; they should go where they belong.

SCHOOL OUTHOUSES.

We learn from the Wisconsin Journal of Education that Oliver E. Wells, State Supt. of Public Instruction, Wisconsin, has published a circular addressed to high school boards and principals, in which the following language is used:

None of the laws of the state were intended to aid any institution that breeds disease and vice. Some of our high schools are a constant menace to good morals and to good health by reason of the filthy and defaced outhouses that are tolerated by boards and principals. For some years the inspectors have been directed to report on this particular point, and their disclosures are so striking that I have determined to withhold state aid from such high schools as shall not maintain suitable, clean privies of ample size and so situated as to be no offense to decency nor to health. **** I cannot too strongly urge boards to provide suitable accommodations during the coming vacation, and then strictly to enjoin the principals to watch and care for the buildings. It should be considered a personal disgrace to a principal if he allows privies to remain filthy or defaced.

Our own Department of Public Instruction has given some attention to this matter, and it would be interesting to know whether Minnesota is in advance. of Wisconsin. It is to be feared that careful inspection would show that many districts are still on a low plane of civilization, if not in a state of barbarism.

A BATCH OF SUGGESTIONS.

Several of the county superintendents of the state have thoroughly tested the plan of calling general meetings of school officers for the discussion of questions that should be well considered by those who have the interests of the schools in charge, and with results so satisfactory that we feel like urging other superintendents to make a trial of it.

It may be best to hold these meetings in the autumn, before the opening of the schools for the year, and the different classes of schools, if possible all the schools of the county, should be represented.

We suggest that every meeting so held appoint a delegate to attend the State Educational Association, to be held in St. Paul during the holidays; and that said delegate report through the county papers, giving the gist of discussions of special interest to school officers and parents.

We make the further suggestion that those who arrange the programs for the several departments of the association make provision for the consideration of the relations, duties and responsibilities of school officers, etc., and that officers be given a place on the several programs.

The state high schools, village schools not on the high school list and rural schools should be well represented by delegates. Officers constitute a very im- . portant part of the educational force of the state, and it seems to us that the interests of the schools would be best promoted by bringing them into our state and county meetings. Teachers and officers should stand on the same plane and pull together. That there should be a friendly interchange of views, a closer relationship than now exists, every experienced educator must admit.

THE RUSSIAN THISTLE OR RUSSIAN TUMBLE-WEED.

That terrible pest, the Russian thistle, has gained a firmer hold here in Minnesota than most people suppose. Right in Minneapolis thousands of plants went to seed last summer, and were "tumbled" in all directions by the autumn winds. In order that it may be exterminated the weed should be known when it is seen. The Minnesota Experiment Station, St. Anthony Park, has gotten up a bulletin containing important information, discussing many ways of eradicating the pest, and giving good illustrations. which will enable the reader to identify it. Every teacher should write for a copy of the bulletin, which may be had for the asking. School district and road officers can get a copy and also a pressed specimen of the plant free of charge by making application to Willet M. Hays, St. Anthony Park, Minn.