ttMhft
THE HESPERIAN STUDENT.
machinery is truly commendable. Lot
mc indulge in a bit of prophecy if, in
deed, it requires the vision of an icono
clast: In eight years Nebraska will have
the most elliclent school system in the
Union.
COUNTY SUPERINTEN DENTS'
CONVENTION.
The convention of county superinten
dents from the counties soath of the
Platte assembled in the Supreme Court
room on the afternoon of the 11th inst.
A convention was held for the North
Platte district in February. The object
had in view, by the State Superintendent
in calling these conventions was, thateach
might be profited by the united wisdom
of all, in regard to many important
matters of school policy; that uniform
methods of dealing witli many intricate
problems constantly arising in the admin
istration of our school law, might be
adopted; and to learn the needs and
desires of the people through the super
intendents, in reference to further legisla
tion on our school system. The dignity,
decorum, and discretion apparent in all
the measures and proceedings of the
convention warrants the assertion that it
was the best deliberative body wo have
had the pleasure of observing in the
state. There- was no pedantry or
plethoric fulminations, but a tone of calm
thought and grave inquiry pervaded
every action. We are proud to know
that Nebraska, even under the present
system of county superintendency, has so
many able men in that responsible posi-
lengthy and able address by the State
Hon.
Tlio meeting was opened by a
Superintendent, presenting various topics
for consideration, and stating his viows
to add dignity to the ofllce and soeuro to
the best talent in the county. To estab
lish a regular and liberal salary under
existing circumstances, would bo a great
risk, for, in many cases, the people might
better afford to pay $2,000 to tho man
forced upon them by political intrigue
to bribe him to keep out of the schools
entirely.
Several other important matters were
considered at length which our space will
not allow us to mention. The county
superintendents of the state propose to
submit a memorial to the next legislature
with the names of two thousand teachers
appended, asking for these necessary
provisions. We trust our legislators will
consider them wisely and favorably.
REVIEWS.
Our honored Chancellor favors us with
many good things in his morning
chapel lectures. We begin to look for
ward to them with pleasant anticipation.
The Subject of one of them recently was
the benefits and objects of reviews. Like
most valuable things we happen upon (of
course we mean in a purely mental sense)
we have made the substance of the ideas
he presented a part of our own meager
store. By the way, is not this the manner
after all in which we acquire the choicest
mental treasures we possess, the truest
mental culture? He who seizes a good
idea or thought wherever he finds it, stores
it away in his own mind, reflects upon it,
ingrafts it into his own being, makes it a
part of his individuality, and assimilates
it with his own thoughts.until a thousand
new correlative ideas and thoughts, pre
viously vague and undefined notions, are
suddenly aroused Into beautiful and per
fect reality, as if moved by some power-
edge. The student In the review should
so perfectly arrange the topics of eacli
branch that, as a perfect gem of knowl
edge without blemish, he may lay It away
in the imperishable casket of his mind, to
be an eternal and increasing source of
wealth and pleasure to the possessor.
Another advantage of the review is,
that the student may collect nil the col
lateral knowledge bearing upon the sub
ject in hand, study the history of its prog
ress, learn something of the men who
have been celebrated in connection there
with, and in fact take a broader and more
scholarly view of it as a unit. We can
acquire but little at most in school. As
some one has said, "We can scarcely
learn what there is to be learned;" but
wo should strive to have each stone in the
foundation we are laying, strong and per
feet, that the superstructure of knowledge
we build thereon, during a life of strug
glo and experience, may be secure, strong
and beautiful.
ful touchstone, is tho truly original man.
on manv features of the school system, ' Ho lloc3 n()t liko despicable plagiar
especially that part pertaining to tho I is. purloin somebody else's brains, but
duties and responsibilities of the county nccepts a noble thought to Inspire his
superintendent. These tonics were i nv ,'tmius, the poet does the inlluence
usMirned to committees, and their reports I "r Nature's scenes, beautiful and grand,
upon tho various points submitted con.
stltutcd tho mhin work of the convention.
to inspire the music of his song, or the
artist the matchlesss and exquisite com-
Among the various topics considered tlio Minutlon of colors in tho glowing sunset,
most important was, "Tho qualifications
and election of county superintendents."
We give tho substance of the resolution
adopted on this point: These
otllcers should bo elected for a term of
three years by a convention of school
directors, provided that tho decision of
tho convention may be revoked by a
board of examiners, consisting of three
nu-inbers, including the State Superlnten-
laid on by the hand of Omnipotence, to
imparl additional loveliness of concep
tion to his canvas. Wo do not mean,
however, to shift the weakness of the few
observations we intend to offer on reviews
to tlio Chancellor's shouldershe would
probably consider it a very doubtful com
pliment. Tlio great object of the review of the
term's work wo have begun, is to syste-
Unt. upon a petition of one-fourth of the mn" mm lore m,mJ "mi """"l""-dim-tors;
if the candidate fail to pass In ''uct "y ' u " we
an examination. In case of rejection the j have passed over during the term. Dur
beeond choice of tho convention shall I lug the ordinary and monotonous routine
boLinno Kiim.vlimn.l(.nt nnrim tlm sunn' ! of lessons and recitations, even tlio best
restrictions, in case of a second rejec
tion.or resignation, or death, the State
Superintendent shall appoint.
The candidate must have had actual
experience in teaching within live years
preceding tho election, or have previously
held the olllco, and his qualification, in
no case, to fall below that required for a
first-grade certificate.
This wo consider a most wiso
resolution and, if adopted, it
will remove this ofllco from tho hands of
politicians. Heretofore it has been
bandied about by "court house rings'
strengthen other portions of tlio ticket
having moro emolument. Another ad
vantage, sure to follow, would be tho
establishment of a stated salary, sufllclent
students are frequently hurried and often
fuel perplexed in reference to certain
points. The thread of tho argument often
seems to bo broken and the connection
between the parts of the subject is lost.
The mind is dissatisfied with the work
accomplished.
The true student welcomes tho season
of review; not because his work is finish
ed, for he has need of increased energy,
though, in some respects, it is a relaxa
tion, but because ho may now calmly re
ilect upon his term's work, clear up the
vague points, more carefully scan tho
subject as-a whole, and find and unite the
broken chain of argumont, until he thor
oughly comprehends it. Systema
tlzed knowledge is the only real knowl-
MORRILL'S ENDOWMENT BILL.
Mr. Morrill, of Vermont, has introduced
a bill in Congress to provide for the fur
ther endowment of Agricultural colleges,
and also to create a permanent national
school fund. The following is a brief
abstract;
The prooeeds of all the public lands of
tho government hereafter sold, within stat
ed limits, shall constitute a general fund,
to be invested in U. S. bonds bearing
five per cent, interest.
This provision is not to interfere with
any law relative to homesteads, pre-emptions,
or soldiers' bounty lands. One
half of the increase of this fund, as it
accrues, is to be apportioned to the several
states and territories and the District of
Columbia for the support of "freo educa
lion in the public schools." The remain
ing one half to be appropriated to the
several states tor the support of Agricul
tural Colleges as follows: One half to be
be divided equally among the several
states, and the other half in proportion
to the number of their respective senates
and representatives; provided that the
annual iucomc to any state for this pur
pose may reach an amount equal to five
per centum on 400,000 acres at tho net
price of one dollar per acre, and in addi
tion thereto, 30,000 acres for each senator
and representative, at the time the college
was established. When this amount is
reached, tho same fixed amount shall be
apportioned tor the support of public
schools. Also, for every $200 each state
received, one scholarship, tuition free,
and open to freo competition, shall ba
established.
Tlio income on the one half
of tho "educational" fund devoted to pub
He schools, together with the excess
accruing from the College fund, after
said college fund has reached the amount
mentioned above, shall be apportioned to
tlio several states according to the popu
lation; provided, that for the first five
years it shall be apportioned on the basis
of the number who cannot read and mite,
as reported in tho preceding census of tho
United States.
Also, a sum not exceeding fifty percent,
of tho last named fund, for tho first year,
and not more than ten per cent, thereafter,
may be applied at tno discretion of tho
legislature to the maintenance of Normal
schools, to be used, after tho first year,
wholly for tho payment of teachers. Tlio
income for the support of public schools
Is to go on increasing until it readies an
amount equal to the income on one him.
dred million acres, at the net price of one
dollar per acre.
A bill substantially the same as Mr.
Morrill's was acted upon last year, but
failed, through a blunder in the Senate.
It has now been referred to tho committee
on "Education and Labor." In the
meantime, communications have been
addressed to tho heads of the various
agricultural colleges, seeking advice as to
their success thus far, and to learn the
opinion of these educators. We hope
this bill will pass, as it has many good
features. It will be another long stride
in making our American School System,
the strongest and most efilcient ever con
ceived. The provisions for dividing, on
the basis of illiteracy, for five years, is
eminently just. This will lend a strong
helping hand to the south, where it is
most needed.
We think, however, that it should be
apportioned on the basis of an annual
school census, instead of the general census.
Our western stales are born and grow to
millions within ten years 1
EXAMINATIONS.
Examination day is fast approaching
again, and students are looking forward
to it as usual, with different emotions-
The diligent and earnest student with a
feeling of confidenc and pride in his heart,
joyfully welcomes it. The sluggard and
the shirk, with fear and trembling dreads
it assail ordeal through which he dare not
pass boldly and squarely, he feels that he
must exercise his ouiiiilug and shirk
through or sufi'er tho just reward of his
sloth fulness and be "plucked."
There are several reasons why the pre
sent form of examinations is very desira
ble. The written examinaiton precludes
all Inducements and temptations for
"cramming."
It does not afford a chance for as much
public display as tho oral method, but
accomplishes the ends sought for in ex
aminations, viz; to test tlio thoroughness
of the student's knowledge and his ability
to express it. It is better, too, for several
reasons; it is more just all may be
examined on the same list of questions,
and be judged by the same standard: the
student is allowed time for calm reflection
that ho may arrange his answers in a log
ical order, and express them in concise
and appropriate language- Thus the stu
dent of unbounded impudence and ef
frontery and glib tongue, has not the ad
vantage, frequently observed in examina
tions by the oral method, over his bash-
ful, thick tongued, but far more diligent
and ingenious classmate.
As we approach the coming examina
tion, let us ask ourselves the question,
" Have we been spending this term study.
Ing to M88 examination, or have we been
striving to make the idea of our text-books
if right, so thoroughly a part of our own
personal possessions, that examination la
a matter of indifference, and really un.
necessary?"
Let us keep in view the fact, that every
new thought, or portion of knowledge
gained is really a now accretion to the
mind, making it broader and more near
ly perect; and that, when our college days
are pa3t, the stern battle of lifo will be
one long examination day, with the relent
less world as a board of examiners, where
there, will bo no "cramming," shirking,
or "trading questions" with another; but
where wo must "pass," cr bo "plucked
upon our own merits, or demerits.
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