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The subject of the resolution was, by vote, referred to the mover, with discretionary power.

Dr. James B. Angell, President of the University, and Prof. J. M. B. Sill, Principal of the Detroit Female Seminary, furnished the evening addresses. The last session was devoted to a free discussion of Natural History as a study in Primary Schools, and on Methods of Teaching Reading.

This meeting of the Association was one of the largest, most interesting and profitable ever held. There were in attendance many teachers of every class and rank, from the University to the primary School. The following members were chosen as officers for the coming year:

President-Prof. H. S. Tarbell, East Saginaw.

Vice Presidents-Prof. Austin George, Kalamazoo; and Prof. J. C. Jones, Pontiac.

Recording Secretary-Mrs. S. A. Perkins, Detroit.

Treasurer-Prof. E. V. W. Brokaw, Lansing.

Executive Committee-Prof. S. Montgomery, Flint; and Prof. Wm. H. Payne, Adrian.

The time and place for holding the next annual meeting was referred to the Executive Committee.

The proceedings had at these meetings of the two Associations are quite fully published in Appendix D of this Report.

The fourteenth annual session of the National Teachers' Association was held at Detroit on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of August last. It brought together many of the most prominent educators in the nation. The several departments of the Association, viz.: the department of higher instruction, department of normal schools, department of superintendence, and department of elementary instruction were well represented. The subjects considered were generally such as are now receiving the prominent attention of the educational public, and it seems superfluous to add that their importance was enhanced by the ability with which they were discussed.

The National Association of German Teachers held their annual meeting at Detroit during the same week. The papers presented and the discussions had were in the German language.

These meetings of the National Associations were occasions of rare interest to the teachers of the State.

THE KALAMAZOO HIGH SCHOOL CASE.

The decision of the Supreme Court in this case was rendered at the July term. It sustains the decision of Judge Brown of the circuit court at Kalamazoo, from which the case was appealed.

The main question presented was, whether there is any authority in the State to sustain free high schools by taxes levied on the people at large. The court held that the high schools are a part of the common school system, and that the term "common schools" includes not merely the primary schools where the elementary branches only are taught, but schools of higher grade that furnish instruction in the advanced studies. In fact, the provisions of the Constitution, in the article on education, contemplate the establishment of a complete system of education by the State, beginning with the primary school and ending with the University. The court supports its opinion by citations from the early territorial laws, and by references to later legislation.

Attention is invited to this able and interesting decision which will be found in the final appendix of this volume.

THE AGASSIZ MEMORIAL.

The treasurer of the "Teachers' and Pupils' Fund" of the Agassiz memorial reports to this department that the amount of contributions to this fund credited to Michigan, previous to the 12th of December, is $172 04. The number of contributors is estimated to be 1,755, and they are the teachers and pupils in the schools of Bay City, Niles, Port Huron, Hastings, Birmingham, St. Clair, Jonesville, Plainwell, and De Witt. The first three schools in this list contributed $148 04. The treasurer reports eight States contributing more and twenty-one States contributing less than Michigan. The total amount of contributions to the fund up to the date of the report is $9,192 74, and the number of contributors, as estimated, is 86,696.

THE STATE UNIVERSITY.

From the President's comprehensive report, which appears with other reports relating to the University in Appendix A of this volume, it will be seen that the institution is prospering. Its success must be, to all who have the welfare of the State at heart, a matter of general and deep interest. Each suc'cessive year sees its character for high culture more substantially based, its diplomas more prized, its scholarships more difficult of attainment, and its means more developed. Men distinguished in the fields of science and literature are among the professors, and the students are the worthy representatives of almost every State in the Union. The entire faculty-roll numbers forty-two, but three are absent by permission of the Board of Regents, leaving the work in the hands of thirty-nine.

ENROLLMENT.

The total enrollment of students in the several departments is as follows: Department of Literature, Science and Arts

Department of Law.....

Department of Medicine.

Total in University ..

489

316

314

1,119

This calculation shows a decrease of 57 from last year, the Medical Department losing 43 in numbers, the Law Department 18, whilst the Department of Literature gains 4. Probably this decrease, as the President suggests, is to be accounted for by the financial depression existing throughout the country. Michigan furnishes 46 per cent of the students, and Illinois makes the next best tally. Thirty-five States and Territories in all contribute their shares to the general list, and it is a pleasing and significant fact that the South is again availing herself of its educational advantages. There is a perceptible decrease in the attendance of the students in the Scientific Course, which may be readily attributed to the increased requirements. This is not a matter for regret; when the public schools see the need of more energetic preparation, the ranks will soon be filled with a class of students whose attainments will be more extended and thorough, whilst the character of the University will be materially raised. If diplomas for proficiency in the important studies em

braced in this course are to possess intrinsic value, the standard of scholarship must be more than respectable.

POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL.

It is to be regretted that such an important movement as the establishment of a Polytechnic School is necessarily delayed; but hopes are expressed that very shortly we may see one in operation. It is true that the studies of Chemistry, Metallurgy and Engineering are even now receiving considerable attention; but the times demand, and the interests of the University seem to require the organization of a distinct school, that shall take the name, and be recognized as a Polytechnic School.

THE "HAZING" PRACTICE.

The pernicious practice of "hazing" has caused considerable trouble to the authorities and has led to much misunderstanding, but the judicious action of the Faculty and Regents has restored order and harmony. That such disorder and gross disregard of propriety, bringing shame and disgrace upon the institution as well as upon those practicing it, should have been so long unchecked is a matter of surprise, and the firm stand taken by the present administration meets the hearty approval, undoubtedly, of all friends of the University.

PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS.

The desire expressed by the Board of Regents in their report to elevate the character of the University by increasing the requirements for admission into the professional schools does them credit. A degree in law or medicine awarded at Ann Arbor should be a certificate to a man for more than mere professional acquirements; it should stamp him as liberally and thoroughly educated. That such an end will be eventually attained there can be little. doubt.

RELATION TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

The generous spirit that the University exhibits towards the high schools of the State is sure to be productive of good. If the school board of any public high school in Michigan desire it, the Faculty will send a committee to visit their school, and if they report that all the studies for admission to the University are taught by competent instructors, the graduates from such preparatory courses will be admitted to the freshman class of the University without examination. "They must present to the President, within three months after their graduation, the diplomas of their school board, certifying that they have sustained their examinations in all the studies prescribed for admission to one of the three courses, classical, scientific and engineering, or Latin and scientific. They will also be required to appear at once in their classes, otherwise they can be admitted only after examination. The privilege of admission on diploma is limited to public schools in Michigan, and their school boards must make the application annually."

Such a judicious system encourages the high school student to exertion, whilst it elevates the character of the school and relieves the college curriculum. It also tends to bind the public school to the University, and to strengthen the line of free education so wisely adopted in our State. Moreover a happy influence will be at work in securing a uniformity in the high school courses of study.

REQUIREMENTS.

In the Department of Literature, Science and Art, all candidates for admission must be at least sixteen years of age, and must present satisfactory evidence of good moral character. They must also be prepared in the following studies: Hart's Composition, general facts of Physical Geography, the Political Geography of Europe and the United States, and Ancient Geography, Algebra, through Olney's complete course, Geometry,-plane, solid and spherical; Latin, Harkness' or Allen and Greenough's Composition, with four books of Cæsar's Commentaries; six select orations of Cicero, and the whole of the Eneid; Greek, three books of Xenophen's Anabasis.

The Roman Pronunciation of Latin has been adopted, which is claimed to be the nearest approach to the pronunciation of Cicero that is attainable.

As it will always remain hidden in the mists of the past what was the pronunciation of the early Romans, it is questionable whether the adoption of this system is a step in the right direction. It seems plausible that, as we can lay down no positive proof of what was the original pronunciation, we should adhere to the one that more closely assimilates the Latin tongue with the sound of our own.

The distinguished Professor of Latin in our University is not alone, however, in this innovation, and the illustrious names in favor of such an adoption should be a strong argument for its approval.

NORMAL DEPARTMENT.

The Normal Department is one worthy of especial interest. A plea was made last year in its behalf. The President, in his report, speaks encouragingly, and the Calendar recently issued intimates that opportunities will be offered for professional Normal instruction, and that Teachers' Diplomas will be granted. With all the appliances of a University the Department will become strong. Who better prepared to take upon himself the task of leading youth to the University than he who has himself drawn instruction from it? Moreover, the teacher in the high school needs much that can be derived only from a University career. If much more attention were paid to this important department, there would be no harm done. As it is, we have much to be thankful for, and the authorities deserve the gratitude of all friends of education for what they have done in this direction.

LABORATORY AND LIBRARY.

The laboratory of analytical and applied chemistry is one of the largest in America. It is furnished with one hundred and seventy-five tables, suited to the various courses, and yet the accommodations are inadequate. The requirements for admission are a definite knowledge of the rudiments of chemistry and an acquaintance with technical terms and symbols.

The University can boast of a good library containing nearly 22,500 volumes, for the enlargement of which an appropriation of two thousand dollars was made for the year. The number of volumes added during the year is 549. Aside from the bound periodicals, nearly one-half of the number were donated. The Grand Duke Alexis of Russia and the Hon. Philo Parsons of Detroit made valuable contributions.

MUSEUM.

The museum has lately received many valuable additions to its already fine.

collection of curiosities and relics. Governor Bagley has presented nearly a hundred choice medals of silver and of bronze, as also an elegant table for their display.

To the scientific department of the museum large and attractive additions have been made. Professor Harrington's ethnological specimens from the Aleutian Islands and Mr. J. B. Steere's contributions from South America are deserving particular notice.

THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.

The State Board of Education, charged with the general oversight of this School, represent in their annual report that its condition is excellent, and the attendance larger than ever before. The number of students received into the Normal Department during the year is 364. Of this number, one hundred and four presented certificates of appointment from members of the State Legislature, which entitled them to free tuition. All but eight are residents of the State, and thirty-nine counties are represented. The average age of the students is twenty and one-half years, nearly. The age at which they may be received is sixteen for ladies and eighteen for gentlemen. This rule, however, does not apply to the graduates from the Model School. The number graduating from the different courses within the year is fifty-one, and it is reported that all but eight entered upon the work of teaching soon after their graduation.

DIPLOMAS.

As much misunderstanding exists in respect to the validity of the diplomas issued, it may be well here to remark that, by a law of the State, every diploma for graduation from either of the courses designated as "Higher Courses" must be acccompanied by a certificate, duly executed, which is a legal certificate and entitles the holder to teach in any public school of the State. The diploma granted to a graduate from the course known as the "Common School Course" is itself a certificate, licensing the holder to teach in any public school the branches of study embraced in this course. This certificate is valid for a period of three years from the date of its issue. No other diploma or certificate granted by the Faculty, or any member of it, has any legal strength or force.

THE SCHOOL'S NEED.

The attention of the Legislature is called, by the report of the Board, to the present needs of the School. It asks for an appropriation sufficient to furnish the additional room accommodations which are made necessary by the growth of the School. It is thought that thirty thousand dollars will answer the purpose. In view of the fact that the State has done so little heretofore by way of granting appropriations to the Institution for building purposes, and as it has no other school of a similar character to support, it can well afford to meet its reasonable wants.

MODEL DEPARTMENT.

The only notable change in the School for the year is the reorganization of the Experimental or Model Department, which provides for three grades, known as Primary, Intermediate and Grammar. This Department of Observation and Practice now numbers 122 pupils. It is under the direction of Prof.

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