COL Indiana University, ious belief or of sex, to its undergraduate cient classics, leadi and one in science, completion, and as course was some weekly and in gi sion is limited to from 19 to 21 for boysandfathe fe has been established with a course of three years EDUCATION OF THE BLIND the Education of the Bend, Indianapola sat Stat admits fit subjects for its instr axcept those for clothing and travel he entions are sometimes made in favor RE hand of trustees. In the literary de branches are taught, also reading Yn erstem and with lead pencil hes as well as special traming to the 2 De dona botl of t no at d 4. tention and care are given to the respects the most important e ting, and fancy work annual meeting at India as that of the previous ver above the average. Accord full, leaving but little time school system" was the sust S... in which he spoke of SOT school law. The add ther topics presented we a the graded school system ment;""The citizens e do by doing." this by Ca or teaching," by Dr. E. E *****nts of industrial drawing into the school system. The Togh school section of the Association was very largely attended, and the sessions d and well guarded compulsory education law; and the introduction were micreating and profitable; but they interfered with the main association by being w with instructions, submitted rad schoals of the same class none to be less than ' ment and for the maintenance of county institutes; the la high schools of Indiana; "The scientific method and its educational value;' rational economy; "Methods of teaching the English language and literature in the inds of touching science in the high schools;" and "How to make the library do most The topics discussed were "The high school-its place in edu of pharmacy. All the courses include about the same instruction in general science, mathematics, English history, political and mental science, and industrial drawing, besides the technical branches peculiar to each. The agricultural course affords daily instruction in agriculture and horticulture throughout the 4 years, that of mechanics and engineering 2 years in each branch, that of science 4 years in laboratory work, and that of industrial art training in industries throughout the 4 years. Two scholarships for each county are given, the county commissioners making the appointments. Rose Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1874 by the late Chauncey Rose, of Terre Haute, and opened in March, 1883, is devoted to the higher education of young men in engineering, the term including all those productive and constructive arts by which the forces of nature are made subservient to the needs of man. Mechanical engineering, civil engineering, chemistry, physics, and drawing are among the branches taught. A feature of the course in mechanical engineering is a well-furnished manufacturing machine shop, where manual training is combined with the study of principles.1 Scientific courses of 4 years, and of fair standard, appear also in 1884-'85 at Wabash College, Crawfordsville; Franklin College, Franklin; DePauw University, Greencastle; Hanover College, Hanover; Hartsville College, Hartsville; Butler University, Irvington; Moore's Hill College, Moore's Hill; University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame; and Earlham College, Richmond; this last seems always to do well and thoroughly whatever it undertakes to do. Franklin College, above mentioned, entered on its second half century June 6, 1884, and held a jubilee in commemoration of it. PROFESSIONAL. THEOLOGY is taught in DePauw University (Methodist Episcopal) and St. Meinrad's College (Roman Catholic), in regular theological courses of 3 years; also to some extent in Butler University, Union Christian College, and Earlham College, in connection with the collegiate course. Earlham added this feature in 1884, establishing a department of Biblical instruction, with the purpose, as it is explained, of meeting the wants of ministers, Bible school teachers, and other Christian workers who feel the need of better preparation for their work. For statistics of theological schools, see Table XI of the Appendix; and for a summary, see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding. LAW departments are reported by DePauw and Notre Dame Universities, the course of study in the former extending over 2 years of 27 weeks each, in the latter comprising 3 years of 40 weeks each. Both require an examination for admission. For statistics of these departments, see Table XII of the Appendix; and for a summary, see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding. MEDICINE.-Seven medical colleges report for 1884-'85, as follows: Medical College of Indiana, Indianapolis (formerly a department of Butler University); Central College of Physicians and Surgeons, Indianapolis; Fort Wayne College of Medicine; Hospital Medical College of Evansville; Beach Medical Institute; Indiana Eclectic Medical College; and Physio-Medical College of Indiana, the 3 last at Indianapolis. The 4 first named belong to the regular school of practice, the next 2 to the eclectic school, and the last is "independent." The Beach Medical Institute, organized in 1884, is a successor of Beach Medical College. This latter institution was merged in the Indiana Eclectic before the commencement of the lecture course of 1884; but about 6 weeks after its commencement the Beach element withdrew, organizing the Beach Medical Institute." The whole number of matriculates in all the 7 colleges was 187, of graduates 78, or nearly 42 per cent., the 4 regular schools enrolling 118 and graduating 50. All require of applicants for admission evidence of at least a fair English education; for graduation, 3 years' study of medicine, including attendance on 2 courses of lectures. Two, the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Fort Wayne College of Medicine, offer and advise a 3-year graded course. The lecture courses occupy from 20 to 28 weeks, the longer term being found at the Fort Wayne College of Medicine. For statistics, see Table XIII of the Appendix; and for a summary, see the report of the Commissioner preceding. SPECIAL INSTRUCTION. EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB. The Indiana Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, Indianapolis, offers maintenance and instruction, free of charge, to all the deaf and dumb of the State of suitable age and capacity. Until additional accommodations shall be provided, the age Lucian I. Blake, Ph. D., a graduate of the Royal University in Berlin, and a pupil of Professor Helmholz, has entered upon the professorship of applied physics and electrical engineering in the Rose Polytechnic Institute, Terre Haute, Ind. He had declined a similar associate professorship in the Johns Hopkins University. Word has come that the Beach Institute has been discredited by the Illinois Board of Health “in view of the apparently irregular manner in which diplomas have been conferred by it." of admission is limited to from 12 to 21 for boys and from 10 to 19 for girls. The course of instruction in the primary department, embracing all the elementary English branches and including articulation, requires generally 7 years for completion. For the benefit of those who wish to qualify themselves for teaching or for other intellectual pursuits, a high class has been established with a course of three years in the sciences; the superintendent may admit to this class each year the most promising of the graduates from the primary course. Three hours on 5 days in the week, with 2 on Saturday, are devoted to industrial pursuits, pupils receiving instruction in shoemaking, cabinet-work, chaircaning, baking, sewing, housework, and other employments, and the introduction of a greater variety of such pursuits is recommended. EDUCATION OF THE BLIND. The Indiana Institute for the Education of the Blind, Indianapolis, a branch of the educational system of the State, admits fit subjects for its instruction free of charge, all their expenses being paid, except those for clothing and traveling. The age for admission is from 9 to 21, but exceptions are sometimes made in favor of those who are over 21, at the discretion of the board of trustees. In the literary department the common and some of the higher English branches are taught, also reading in line and point print, and writing in the New York point system and with lead pencils. Special effort is made to teach pupils how to study, to discipline their minds, to strengthen their powers of concentration, recollection, and reflection, and to enable them to form correct habits of attention and observation. The musical department, which includes vocal and instrumental music and tuning, affords means of instruction to all pupils who have an ear for music in one or more of these branches, as well as special training to those who wish to become teachers of music. Increased attention and care are given to the industrial department, which is regarded as in many respects the most important of all. It includes broom making, cane seating, sewing, knitting, and fancy work. TRAINING SCHOOL FOR NURSES. The Flower Mission Training School for Nurses, Indianapolis, organized in 1883, reported 14 pupils in 1885 and 5 graduates. Arrangements have been made with the authorities of the Indianapolis City Hospital for giving training to the pupils. The school receives $200 a month from the city. EDUCATIONAL CONVENTIONS. INDIANA STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. The Indiana State Association held its thirty-first annual meeting at Indianapolis, December 29-31, 1884. The meeting was not as large as that of the previous year, but the exercises in point of merit are said to have been above the average. According to a criticism in the School Journal the programme was too full, leaving but little time for the miscellaneous discussion of papers. "A retrospective and a prospective view of Indiana's school system" was the subject of the inaugural address of the president, Supt. II. B. Hill, in which he spoke of the need for longer school terms, better teachers, and a compulsory school law. The address was referred to a committee for consideration. Among other topics presented were **The moral education of the young;" "Profit and loss of the graded school system;" Personality in teaching: "The element of trust in government;""The citizenship of the teacher; " "The examination question;" "Learn to do by doing," this by Col. F. W. Parker, of Normalville, Ill.; and "The philosophy of teaching," by Dr. E. E. White, of Cincinnati. The committee on the president's address, in accordance with instructions, submitted a report embodying certain recommendations to the legislature, among which were the establishment of uniform terms for all schools of the same class, none to be less than 8 months; the provision of a suflicient fund for the maintenance of county institutes; the enactment of a mild and well guarded compulsory education law; and the introduction of the elements of industrial drawing into the school system. The high school section of the Association was very largely attended, and the sessions were interesting and profitable; but they interfered with the main association by being held at the same hours. The topics discussed were "The high school-its place in educational economy;" "Methods of teaching the English language and literature in the high schools of Indiana; " "The scientific method and its educational value;" "Methods of teaching science in the high schools;" and "How to make the library do most service to the schools." NORTHERN INDIANA TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. The Northern Indiana Teachers' Association met at Rome City, July 21-24, 1885, about sixty teachers being present. Addresses were delivered on "Elementary instruc tion;" ;" "How to develop the power of thought;" "The use and abuse of the Grube method;" ;" "How far can the knowledge of mental science be utilized by the common school teacher?" "True knowledge and its functions;" "How to cultivate a love for reading good books;" and "The relation of the first four to the remaining years of the course of study." The last paper placed great stress on the fact that the chief purpose of the schools is to develop character, and insisted that the place to begin this is in the primary schools. SUPERINTENDENTS' CONVENTION. The third meeting of the superintendents of city and town schools of Indiana and Ohio was held at Richmond, November 5-7, 1885. Among other topics discussed were "Methods of promotion;' ""Teachers' meetings;" "How to promote culture among teachers;" "Examinations;" and "Gradation of schools." "Methods of promotion 99 was given an entire evening, and was quite generally discussed, a variety of views being developed. "Culture among teachers" was also exhaustively discussed, in the course of which the teachers' reading circle and associations for professional improvement were commended. INDIANA COLLEGE ASSOCIATION. The meeting of this very respectable body in 1885 was at the parlors of the Bates House, Indianapolis. It was well attended, and had exercises of unusual interest. Professor J. C. Ridpath, of DePauw University, was the president elect, and took for his theme, "The true evolution," defending the development theory of Charles Darwin. President David S. Jordan, of the State University, also delivered an address on Charles Darwin, which Professor P. S. Baker, of DePauw, heartily endorsed. Professor R. B. Warder, of Purdue University, read a paper on The true place of industrial education," advocating the teaching of a few manual industries in the common schools and the cultivation of accurate ideas of common things, but not recommending technical instruction in colleges. Professor Alma Holman, of DePauw, gave reasons why natives are better than foreigners as instructors in modern languages. Professor J. L. Campbell, of Wabash, read a very instructive address on "The present conditions of the physical development of Indiana," Dr. A. W. Brayton, of the Indianapolis High School, following with a paper on the same theme. Professor Campbell, of Wabash, was elected president of the association for the ensuing year. OBITUARY RECORD. CHARLES 0. THOMPSON, A. M., PH. D. President Charles O. Thompson, of Rose Polytechnic Institute, Terre Haute, was born at Windsor, Conn., September 25, 1836, and died at his home in Terre Haute, March 17, 1885. His untimely death was felt as a severe loss not only by the institution at whose head he had been since 1883, but by all who knew him, includi · ; many eminent educators in the State and elsewhere. Prior to accepting the presidency of the Rose Polytechnic Institute Mr. Thompson was for several years at the head of a technical school in Worcester, Mass., where he met with great success. He was a member of the National Council of Education from its organization, and was greatly honored by that body for the ability and wisdom which he brought to the consideration of all educational questions, for his ripe scholarship, and for the valuable contributions he made toward the solution of some of the most important educational problems of the times. He was universally beloved for his amiability, generosity, and that large-heartedness which led him to entertain, in a catholic spirit and with kind hospitality, the opinions of those who differed from him. He was admired for his rich literary attainments and brilliant social qualities, and reverenced for his sincerity and loyalty to truth, and for the courage with which he followed the lead of his convictions, as well as for the purity of his life and his devout Christian character. CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICER. Hon. JOHN W. HOLCOMBE, State superintendent of public instruction, Indianapolis. [First term March 15, 1883, to March 15, 1855; second term, March 15, 1885 to March 13, 1887.] (From statistics furnished by Hon. John W. Akers, State superintendent of public instruction for the years indicated.) STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM. GENERAL CONDITION. The above special statistical report, sent by the superintendent of education, shows an increase during 1884-'85 of 11,256 in the number of youth of school age, and of 4,697 in public school enrollment, with 2,704 fewer pupils in average daily attendance; also a slight decrease in the percentage of enrollment and average attendance based on school population, and of average attendance based on enrollment. More public schools were taught and more teachers employed; the average monthly pay decreased slightly. The whole amount expended for public schools also decreased, while the amount of the permanent fund increased, as did the valuation of public school property. |
