Mr. Warner, with a desire to come under the five-minute rule, urged the appointment of a committee to devise means for assisting the people of the South in their educational projects.

Mr. Pickett endorsed the views of the speaker in regard to the improvement of the work, and mentioned some of the more hopeful movements in the schools under his charge. The point was to induce pupils to struggle in securing education, and blessed are they who search it in earnest. In the South they are not in any rut and will keep out if possible.

Miss Helen M. Nash, of Little Rock, Arkansas, gave an interesting sketch of the schools in her locality, which she declared in the main to be lamentable-sand and pointed sticks being used instead of blackboards in illustrations. A good system was now established at Little Rock, but difficulty was encountered because pupils were not inclined to depend sufficiently upon themselves.

The motion of Mr. Warner for the appointment of a committee for the South was seconded by Dr. Buchanan, of Louisville, and the chair announced that the committee would be appointed before the close of the session.

John Hancock, of Ohio, defended warmly the necessity and importance of system in all educational matters, in opposition to the remarks of those who had criticized Normal schools.

Mr. H. M. Hall, of Colorado, said the only objection to Normal schools, is that they expect even cockle put into the educational mill to come out first-class grists. Prof. Phelps called the gentleman to order and the chair explained that when a gentleman arose to speak for five minutes, it was impossible to imagine what they might say.

Prof. Phelps said the very object of the paper had been accomplished in creating a lively discussion. He was not opposed to the common schools, but wished simply to better their condition. Let the defects of the schools, normal and common, be kindly and intelligently pointed out. He was a pupil of the district school, and he would say that if he could eliminate from his life all the evil influences which surrounded him in the district school, he would have been a much better man than he is. All reforms in education must rest and begin in the improvement of the teacher himself.

Mr. J. B. Merwin, Editor of the American Journal of Eucation, was, at his own request, permitted to hand his address on "State School Laws," to the Secretary for printing without reading.

[This address has not been received. Sec.]

The discussion on the Educational Condition of the South was continued by Professor E. Olney of Michigan University, Dr. Allyn, of Illinois, and A. D. Roe, Afton, Minnesota.

The following resolution was offered by Dr. Buchanan, of Kentucky, and referred to the committee on resolutions:

That, although military instruction, and standing armies may be necessary in the present stage of civilization, we regard as of far greater importance the establishment of international arbitration and of a system of education which will elevate mankind above the necessity or even a possibility of war, which is the enemy of true civilization and progress.

A resolution relating to the paper of Miss Bibb, on "The Relation of Art

to Education," offered by Dr. Cruikshank, was also referred to the committee on resolutions.

Those in favor of the establishment of a separate section on Agriculture, were requested to meet at 2 o'clock to discuss the project, and the afternoon business of the several sections was announced, after which the general session took a recess until 8 o'clock in the evening.

The secretary read the names of the Board of Directors for the past and ensuing year, and the Association then adjourned until evening.

After the adjournment of the general section the Board of Directors met for the transaction of business.

Prof. S. R. Thompson, of Lincoln, Nebraska, presented a petition signed by twenty members of the Association for the organization of a Department of Industrial Education.

After some discussion the petition was granted.

Several bills of accounts were presented. On motion, the Finance Committee was authorized to pay all bills properly presented.

The Finance Committee was also instructed to pay the deficit on the publication of the proceedings of the Association last year.

On motion, it was agreed that the Constitution should be so amended that the annual dues of members should be two dollars.

The Treasurer was instructed to notify all members annually of the amount due the Association from each and also to advertise the last volume of the proceedings of the Association.

On motion the new finance committee was instructed to examine and audit the accounts of the Treasurer for the past year.

On motion the Board adjourned to meet at 5 o'clock P. M.

J. M. MCKENZIE, Secretary, pro tem.

At the meeting of the Board of Directors at 5 o'clock it was determined to prepare a statement of the volumes of proceedings of the Association for past years yet for sale and publish in the different Educational Journals a card giving prices for which these volumes will be sold; the publication of the card to be restricted to those journals willing to insert such card free. This matter was entrusted chiefly to Dr. James Cruikshank, several years ago secretary of the Association.

On motion of O. R. Smith, it was

Resolved, That no person invited to deliver a paper before this Association be allowed to occupy more than forty minutes of its time.

On motion of W. D. Henkle, it was

Resolved, That the number of papers read before the General Association be restricted to four.

It was also

Resolved, That two persons be invited to open the discussions of each of the several papers, that these opening speeches shall not occupy more than ten minutes, that they shall be oral and directed to the subject-matter of the papers.

EVENING SESSION.

After the Association was called to order, Dr. James Cruikshank, of New York, submitted a memorial of the deceased members of the Association for the past year.

(Memorial not received; if received in time it will appear in an appendix.) Resolutions of respect to the memory of Dr. G. N. McJilton, of New York; Supt. Gibbs, of Florida, and Supt. W. R. Creery, of Baltimore, were offered. Supt. Reed, of Baltimore, gave some additional interesting facts relative to W. R. Creery.

The Association then adopted the following resolutions:

Resolved, That while we record with deep regret the decease of our former associates and co-workers, we recall with pride and gratitude their honest and efficient labors in behalf of education and cherish the memory of their many virtues.

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution and the subjoined memorial be sent to the families of each of the deceased.

W. F. Phelps, of Winona Minn., Chairman of Committee on Course of Study, reported progress and asked that the committee be allowed another year in which to make out their report; the request was granted and the committee continued another year.

Hon. E. E. White, of Ohio, then made a report in behalf of the Committee on the Bureau of Education.

He remarked that the Bureau of Education was established in response to the wishes of the educators of the country, and, from its establishment to the present time, it has received the increasing appreciation and co-operation of all who are entrusted with the management of schools in all parts of the country. It was created by the votes of members of Congress of both parties, and has been supported by men of both parties.

The opposition to the Bureau arises from three sources :

1. There is a comparatively small number of statesmen who hold that the Bureau has no warrant in the Constitution. It is a sufficient answer to this view to say that the

WEIGHT OF OPINION

is not only against it, but the practice of the Government from its organization to the present time, and this may be accepted as a practical interpretation of our fundamental law.

2. The Bureau is opposed as an interference on the part of the general government with the reserved rights of the States. This objection is based on an entire misapprehension of the functions of the Bureau. It has no authority whatever to interfere with the mauagement of the school systems of the several States. The law organizing the Bureau and its administration fully answer this objection. It is simply a central agency, supported by the Government, for the collection and dissemination of important information respecting the condition and progress of education in the several States and Territories and in other countries, and it has not even authority to demand an item of information from any school officer. It is a fact that the Bureau has the support of the school officers of both political parties in the several States.

3. It is also urged that the Bureau having no authority in school affairs, cannot be sufficiently useful to justify its support by the general Government. The Bureau has already answered this objection. It has given an impulse to education which is felt throughout the country, and its great usefulness is recognized and appreciated by all who take an intelligent action in educational progress.

The above is but an imperfect outline of Mr. White's remarks. In conclusion he paid a well-deserved compliment to Commissioner Eaton, for his wise and efficient administration of the Bureau, and then submitted the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the good already accomplished by the National Bureau of Education is a complete vindication of the wisdom of its establishment, and we earnestly request Congress to increase the usefulness of the Bureau by providing ample facilities for the prosecution of its important work.

Hon. Alonzo Abernethy, State Superintendent of Public Instruction of Iowa, presented a report on the representation of American Education at the approaching Centennial.

REPORT.

We are entering upon the centennial of our nation's history; a history full of noble deeds and glorious achievements. Established in the interest of justice and religion, and dedicated to liberty and universal equality, the nation has, in maintaining these principles, made a record of progress unparalleled in history.

This approaching centennial year presents an appropriate opportunity to review this century's record, and study its lessons.

The International Exposition to be held at Philadelphia, next year, will afford an opportunity to exhibit the products of the nation's growth and industry.

We shall have a wonderful exhibition at Philadelphia. It will be the greatest display of the products of modern industry that the world has ever seen. It will contain an exhibit of nearly everything valuable to civilized

man.

Among the objects of interest will be an exhibit of Education. indeed, be a very prominent feature of the Exposition.

This will

Every one who is familiar with the history of the International Expositions which have been held within the last twenty-five years, at London, Paris, Vienna, and other points, knows that the representation of education, has received, at every succeeding exhibition, greater prominence. At the last one, which was held at Vienna, in 1873, the department of education was one of the most prominent features; and to a large portion of those who visited the Exposition, it was the chief attraction. It has, indeed, been generally conceded that as education is one of the chief elements in promoting civilization, so is an exhibit of the condition of its education one of the best and truest means of representing the civilization of a country.

The U. S. Centennial Commissioners have repeatedly expressed a very great desire to secure a full and creditable representation of American education. A prominent place has been assigned for it.

The Main Exposition Building, which will cover more than twenty-one acres of ground, has been devoted to an exhibition of the three departments of Mining and Metallurgy, Manufactures, and Education and Science. They now desire to know what is to be exhibited in the portion devoted to Education, and how much space is desired.

This portion of the Exhibition will be what educators make it. A creditable exhibit will only be secured by the united action of the educators of

the country, and through a systematic and comprehensive plan of work. The National Educational Association is the proper medium for this work. Foreseeing this, the Association, through its Department of Superintendence, at a meeting held in Washington in January, 1874, prepared a preliminary scheme of representation, and appointed a general committee to prepare and carry out the same, consisting of the state, territorial, and leading city superintendents of the country.

This action received the approval of the general Association, at its meeting held in Detroit a year ago.

At the meeting of the Department of Superintendence, held at Washington, in January 1875, there was selected from the general committee, an Executive Committee, consisting of Gen. Eaton, of Washington; Hon. John D. Philbrick, of Boston; Hon. J. P. Wickersham, of Pennsylvania; Hon Wm. Ruffner, of Virginia, and Alonzo Abernethy, of Iowa, to confer with Director General Goshorn, of Philadelphia, and co-operate with him, and with the Commissioner of Education, in relation to the preparation of a scheme of classification for the Department of Education at the Exposition.

This executive committee held preliminary meetings immediately at Washington and Philadelphia; and at a subsequent meeting, at Philadelphia, in April, a comprehensive plan was prepared and submitted to the Director General.

The revised classification, with certain amplifications and specifications, respecting the preparation of material for exhibition, together with a letter from Gen. Eaton, is contained in a pamphlet just published by the Commissioner, in Circular No. 5, from the Bureau of Education.

Some hundreds of copies of this pamphlet were sent here for distribution to the members of this Association; a portion of which were distributed through this hall yesterday morning. Copies can yet be obtained by those who desire them.

Gen. Eaton who has given much time and thought to this subject, fully expected to be present at this meeting and report in person, the progress of the work up to this time, and its present status, but was unavoidably detained by sickness in his family.

He has forwarded a letter containing suggestions, to the reading of which I will now ask the attention of the Association.

After expressing his great regret at being unable to attend, he says:

I therefore unite to request you to make a report for the committee in my place.

The circular of the Bureau of Education on the Centennial, the issue of which has been delayed from one cause and another beyond our control, I have ordered sent to Minneapolis for distribution to the members. This describes in brief, what our committee has done, and gives substantially the present status of the preparation for the educational exhibit of the country at the Centennial. I deem it exceedingly desirable that the Association should make as full suggestions as possible with regard to the several details under consideration, mentioned on page 11 of the circular, namely:— "(1) the manner of investigating and comparing the work of students so as to bring out the best results; (2) what attempts shall be made to provide special arrangements for formal visitation to the exhibition by students of institutions of learning, under the guidance of experts, for special investiga