of these appears to be the wide range of dates fixed for holding the examinations. It is to be hoped that something can be done this year toward removing this difficulty.

WE note with satifaction the recent election of two members of the faculty of the Illinois Normal University, Prof. Charles De Garmo, and Prof. Herbert Bartow, to professorships in the State University. The promotion is well deserved, and will have a beneficial effect upou the educational interests of the state. Success in teaching, as well as scholarship and promise, ought to be an element in appointment to such position. Ambitious young men should come up to them through other grades of educational service.

MANY high schools in this state have already come into direct working relations to the rural schools of the county. The usual plan is to arrange to admit to the high schools without examination those who bring certificates of graduation from the county schools. If the county superintendent keeps himself in relation with the high school and its principal, so that his examinations for graduation test fitness for high school work, this plan seems to be a good one. It results in building up the high school and also in giving impulse and character to the district schools. By a judicious publication of the number of graduates admitted from different schools of the county, local pride may be turned to account for educational growth, while careful management will prevent the issuing of certificates to unqualified persons. The plan is deserving of

extended trial.

FEW more satisfactory utterances have come to our notice than those of Pres. Homer

B, Sprague, of the North Dakota university, with reference to the talk of his candidacy for the United States Senate. He says in a published cord; 1. Of course I would like to be senator, but, as parfies and factions are now constituted and manipulated, the eager pursuit of so sacred and responsible an office, by the only methods likely to secure it, seems presumptive if not conclusive evidence that the aspirant is not fit for it. 2. If it were tendered me in honorable fashion, without any other pledge than that I should faithfully, to the best of my ability, serve my state and the nation, I should gladly accep. But

3. To get it I can engage in no scramble, no intrigue, no bargain, no fight; shall neglect no present duty, make no speeches, curry no favor, solicit no votes, pull no wires, promise no offices. pay no money, fling no mud, and

tell no lies. I am not for sale." We are gratified at this manly utterance from on educator, but of course he will not be chosen senator.

THE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Wisconsin Teachers' Association has not for many years held so important and successful a session as that of this winter. To begin with, the attendance was large, being estimated at between five and six hundred; and all the meetings were full. It was a representative gathering, and gave to the on looker a good impression of the vigor and character of those in charge of the educational interests of the state. The papers were all of them direct and businesslike. The academic essay, we may hope, has disappeared, and given place to purposive discussions of practical matters. Thorough studies of special topics, like that on the care of feeble-minded children, business matters like the revision of the rules of the association, practical reports like that on a code of ethics for teachers, discussions like that of the Bennett law and the work of the state department of public instruction are instructive and helpful in the highest degree. ful in the highest degree. The division into sections was a decided success. The large numbers in attendance gave each section a good audience, and the division afforded room for a wider range of topics and gave opportunity for members to attend where their interest prompted. The practical outcome of the gathering in forming opinion regarding educational legislation was also important. The movements for the education of the feeble minded, for the improvement of the county superintendency, for compulsory school attendance and for the a State Educational Exhibit at World's Fair, in 1893, received decided imThe absence of a lecturer pulse and direction. from abroad deserves to be noted, and the session shows that the only justification for such a feature in the program must be found in the interest felt in the man who is invited or in the importance of the theme which he presents. The music was an enjoyable element of the session. In its social features, which are of much importance, the meeting was also very profitable.

A YOUTHFUL road agent in California who robbed a stage and was afterwards arrested, gave as an excuse for his crime that he was anxious to get a good education, and could not earn money for it any other way. This is the latest excuse for stage robbery. Our Wisconsin stage and train robber Holzhay, read Jesse James literature, and robbed, not for money but for fame.

THE SCHOOLMASTER IN PUBLIC LIFE.

POLITICS directly affect the development of our schools in many ways. Not only is the chief educational officer of the state determined by party action and party issues, but the county superintendents and, in many cases, local school officers are made in the same way. That this does not prove destructive to the schools is due to the good sense of the people and the capacity for self-government developed in them. The mischiefs of the system do not arise from submitting to the people educational questions, but from making the election of school offiers an appendage to issues of a wholly different character. The recognition of this has led to the demand that, so far as possible, educational matters shall be taken out of politics. Doubtless much would be gained if, for example, county superintendents could be chosen at the spring elections, when party issues are for the most part dormant. But there is another suggestion which deserves to be strongly urged. Whenever educational interWhenever educational interests are sacrificed this is due to imperfect information or dormant interest on the part of the managers or the public or both. The remedy, then, is to disseminate information and awaken interest. This is precisely the work which educators neglect. They imperfectly recognize the necessity, in a government like ours, of keeping up public interest and intelligence regarding school matters. They are not agitators. They are not generally given to planning and scheming to bring about public measures. Now there is certainly need of the schoolmaster in politics to look after the interests of the important business entrusted to his hands, and few persons will be found to object to his activity in this matter. He belongs to a party like other citizens; let him be active to secure the best possible nominations within that party. Further, some more definite and systematic arrangement by school men to keep the public informed regarding the needs and progress of the schools, is manifestly desirable. Important developments of educational thought are now going on; new conceptions of what is to be attained and how to attain it are coming to the front. Educational men are the proper persons to awaken interest in these things and to shape public sentiment in regard to them. How to fulfill this duty is an important study for school men, and one the pursuit of which will tend greatly to increase their own breadth and influence.

-The Beaver Dam high school held rhetorical exercises of the Senior class on Dec. 13. The class numbers thirteen, eight of whom are young women.

THE MONTH.

--C. M. McMahon has resigned his position as principal of the high school at Marinette in order to take a position in Illinoi, as principal of the high school at Decatur.

-J. L. Sherron, formerly superintendent of Green county, becomes principal of the free high school at Argyle, in place of W. H. Schulz, who enters upon his duties as superintendent of Sauk county.

-Miss Susie Cocroft, for sometime in charge, at the office of the State Superintendent, of the correspondence relating to the school library law, has accepted the position of first assistant in the Black River Falls high school.

-The report of the Janesville public schools for 1890 contains a revised manual of the course of study, about twenty pages in length, prepared by Sup't Cooley. The school libraries, high school and ward schools, contain seven hundred volumes.

-The new regulations for the Racine public schools require class-markings, bi-monthly examinations, and annual examinations, which are averaged to determine the standing of the pupils. If however, the monthly average in any study reach 90 or more the pupil may be excused from the final examination in that branch.

-By unaminous vote of the committee it has been decided that the National Educational Association will go to Toronto this year for its meeting July 14 to 17. The change from Saratoga is due wholly to railroad considerations. The arrangements for the Toronto meeting seem to be perfect. All the New England, Western, Southern, and Northwestern roads have already granted one fare or one-half price plus the $2.00 membership fee. The city and Dominion governments promise to do all in their power to make the meeting a grand success.

-The Dunn County News says: Mr. J. H. Stout is making excellent progress with the preparations for opening the manual training school with the new year. The tools and appliances for work in the two apartments set apart for boys and girls are being selected and placed in order, the instructors have been secured and everything will be ready as planned. There will be three teachers—Mr. Charles Friedman, for the boys' department, who arrived the first of this week, and is assisting in getting things settled; Miss Mabel Wilson and Miss Lilian Goldsmith, for the

girls' department. All three of these teachers are from Toledo, Ohio."

-There is a gain in higher grade teachers shown by the State Superintendent's report, but it is not a very large one. For the first

of the two years covered by the report 11.273 certificates were granted in this state and for the second 11.017. In the first of these years, including Normal graduates and state certificates, there were issued 1093 certificates of the first grade and 962 of the second; for the second year 1100 of the first grade and 1127 of the second. It appears, therefore, that while the whole number of certificates issued fell off those of the second grade increased 165; and this may be attributed to the change in the value of certificates created by the last legis

lature.

-A Society to promote sympathy between the public and the schools was organized in New York Dec. 6. It is to include various primary and grammar school teachers, representatives of the Normal college, the college of the City of New York, the University of the City of New York, Columbia college, and other educational institutions. It was quite generally agreed that the new society should hold aloof from attacks or criticism of specific systems, whether in New York, Brooklyn, or elsewhere, but call attention to the need of making a profession of what is now too often merely the temporary business of teaching, to excite public interest in school affairs and indirectly to endeavor to raise the tone of education.

-The growth of school libraries in this state since the enactment of the library law has been very satisfactory. During 1887 twentyDuring 1887 twentysix towns bought libraries; in 1888, fortyeight towns; in 1889, one hundred and fortyseven towns; and in 1890 two hundred and

ninety-four towns. At least three thousand schools have been thus supplied with reading matter during the past four years. Jefferson county takes the lead in this matter, and Brown, Clark, Door, Eau Claire, Taylor, La Crosse and Washington are among the most. enterprising. The growth of libraries in cities, and in high schools, where it is the result of purely local effort, is also very remarkable. Wisconsin is in this way doing a great deal to promote general intelligence among young people.

her

We find in that excellent garden monthly, Viek's Magazine, the following regarding the choice of a state tree and flower by the school children in New York: "By an election held by the school children of this state, in May

last, the maple was chosen as the state tree, and the goldenrod as the state flower. The goldenrod had 81,308 votes, and the rose 79,666 out of a total of 318,079. The other votes were divided among one hundred and Chas. R. Skintwenty-eight different plants. ner, of the Department of Public Instruction, informs us that the selection of the goldenrod was due principally to the fact that the country districts did not promptly send in the result of the votes taken in the country schools. This result was made public on the first of July. Additional reports which came in from the country districts reduced the plurality of the goldenrod to about 600, and it is probable that if all the school commissioners of the been chosen instead of the goldenrod. The State had reported to us, the rose would have cities voted largely for the goldenrod.' city children evidently had a better idea of what they wanted than the country children, and this is not strange. To them the goldenrod, which they see mostly during the summer vacation, is the flower associated with their pleasant days of recreation, days of sunshine, of freedom and enjoyment. This flower will not grow less in their esteem, and the better they know it the more will they admire it.

The

-A circular from the State University states as follows what that institution is doing for agricultural education in Wisconsin: "By the addition of the courses recently adopted the Wisconsin scheme of agricultural education is rounded out into fullness. It has not, of course, reached completeness of development, but it has become a system and has a full complement of parts. It is in some respects a unique system and deserves consideration on account of its peculiar characteristics and adaptations. It is highly specialized and intensely agricultural. It is not an academic system with an agricultural tincture, but a thoroughly agricultural system with academic

accessories. It consists of three leading factors having three great purposes. I. To develop agricultural science. II. To educate youth in agricultural science. III. To spread agricultural knowledge through the whole farming community. The first is attempted by means of a strongly equipped and vigorous experiment station; the second, by five courses of study in agriculture; the third by an ample system of publication and by Farmer's InstiThe heart and soul of the system is the Experiment Station, where principles and practices are tested, new facts demonstrated, and old doctrines developed into exact knowledge. This gives solid foundation for the

tutes.

work of the other lines and vitalizes the whole. The effectiveness of agricultural education is largely dependent on the amount of fresh welltested knowledge which enters into it.

The instructional system embraces five courses in agricultural. 1. A short course. 2. A dairy course. 3. A middle course. 4. A long course. 5. A graduate course. The Farmers' Institutes, of which sixty to seventy-five are held each year in as many different localities in the state, afford a means of presenting directly to the farmers the latest developments of experience and experimentation and of discussing all subjects pertaining to agriculture.

-State Superintendent Wells has fixed the following dates and places for the conferences with county superintendents provided for by law January 20 and 21, at Eau Claire, in the Court house; January 22 and 23, at Oshkosh, in the Normal school building; January 27 and 28, at Madison, in the office of the State superintendent; January 29 and 30, at Milwaukee, in the Normal school building.

-At the State examination for teachers' certificates at Madison this winter thirty-three candidates presented themselves, of whom but eleven came up for the first time. A limited State certificate was granted, as a result of the examination, to Mrs. Mary D. Bradford, of Kenosha; and to A. T. Lincoln, of Independence. A life-certificate was granted to Milton E. Terry, of Lowell; and to Albert R. Jolly, of Mineral Point. The Board of Examiners recommend that comparative anatomy be added to the list of branches required for the life certificate.

-At the meeting of school superintendents in California held at Sacramento Supt. C. H. Keyes of Riverside, was made chairman of the Committee on High Schools, and after due deliberation the committee recommended that cities or incorporated towns of one thousand or more inhabitants have power to establish Free High schools, to be maintained by an annual tax levied by the board of supervisors, the rate of which to be determined by the county superintendent. It was also provided that four or more contiguous districts have power to establish and maintain High schools.

-A meeting of the Ex. Com. of S. E. Wis. Ass. was held during the state association. It was arranged to hold the meeting at Geneva Lake, and to make it an "outing" as well as an educational meeting. The session will begin Wednesday evening, July 1st, continue through Thursday and until noon Friday, July 3d. That afternoon will be devoted to picnics, ex

cursions, etc., and the evening to some popular entertainment. Saturday. July 4th, will be appropriately celebrated, closing with a grand display of fireworks. Topics for discussion have been partially selected, but will not be announced until they shall have been accepted by those who may be invited to take part upon the program.

-The teachers of Northwestern Wisconsin met Tuesday evening December 30th in the senate chamber and formed an association. Mr. J. J. Brier, of River Falls, was elected president, and Mr. D. Kine, of Black River Falls, secretary. The executive committee is composed of W. F. Langley, West Superior ; J. Q. Emery, River Falls; Miss L. Moshier, New Richmond; Albert Hardy, La Crosse. The committee were instructed to name a time and place of meeting, arrange a program and draft a constitution. The first meeting will be held early in April.

-The teachers of Northeastern Wisconsin met in the senate chamber Tuesday afternoon, December 30th and formed an association with I. N. Stewart in the chair and Otis R. Lason as secretary. A number of committees were appointed to arrange for full organization and for the first meeting which is to be held at Appleton during the spring vacation.

-Ex-superintendents E. C. Wiswall and J. L. Sherron have taken charge of high schools, the former at Marinette and the latter at Argyle. E. E. Sheldon succeds Sup't F. S. Grubb at Weyauwega.

FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.

France. The privileges granted by the recently adopted military law, to fathers of more

than seven children has been the cause of minute investigations concerning the number of children in French families. The following numbers are round numbers, hence not accurate, but as far as they go they are very instructive.

2,000,000 families in France have no chil

dren.

2,500,000 families in France have each one child.

2,300,000 families in France have each two children.

1,500,000 families in France have each three children.

1,000,000 families in France have each four children.

500,000 families in France have each five children.

300,000 families in France have each six. children.

2,000,000 families in France have seven or more children.

In a late cabinet meeting the French minister of education, M. Bourgeois submitted the plan for completing the secularization of the schools, which according to law must be done before July, 1891. He acknowledges the fact that the necessary number of teachers are not as easily found as formerly, since, according to the new military law, teachers are not free from service in the army. Hence, he suggests to employ women, who can be had in great number.

Italy. The Statistical Institute in Rome publishes some statements, which seem truly incredible. For instance that there are 336 communities in Italy without a cemetery. The corpses are thrown into the cellar vaults of the churches without much ceremony. Over 209,000 people in Italy live in 37,203 cellars, the dampness of which is most dangerous to the health.-900 have dug caves into the rocks and live like pre-historic man. In 1,700 communities bread is eaten on holidays only; in 4,965 communities meat is not eaten at all on account of poverty.-600 communities are without a physician; 104 suffer from malaria all the year round. The number of persons in Italy suffering from Pellagrosa (skin desease) acquired by infection is 110,000. Of 100 inhabitants in Southern and Central Italy, only 37 can read; the average of illiteracy for the Kingdom is 48 per cent. But the most disgusting fact the institute published is this: -4,890 communities have no out-houses of any kind.

Norway. The law of June 20, 1882, makes it a duty of the administration of the university at Christiania to publish annually a Norwegian bibliography. A volume has just been published containing the titles of Norwegian books published in the year 1888. It consists like all other national bibliographies of two parts one containing the list in alphabetical order, the other grouped under topical subheads. The volume does not, however, offer a complete expose of Norwegian publications since many authors who write in the Norwegian language publish their books in Denmark.

Germany. In the course of the year 1890, an unusually large number of elementary teachers in Lorraine have been pensioned. These are mostly all men who were appointed before the Franco-German war, and would not or could not master the German language sufficiently to come up to the requirements of the German government. The Germans are terribly in earnest about Germanizing Alsace and Lorraine.

Bavaria. The city of Furth pays better salaries to elementary teachers than are generally paid in Germany, although they do not come up to our American standard.

1st to 3d year of service, 1,560 marks, $390.00.

4th to 6th year of service, 1,740 marks, $435.00.

7th to 12th year of service, 1,920 marks, $480.00.

13th to 18th year of service, 2,100 marks, $525.00.

19th to 24th year of service, 2,280 marks, $557.50.

25th to 29th year of service, 2,364 marks $591.00.

30th to 34th year of service, 2,448, marks $612.00

To these sums are to be added 15 to 20 per cent. for rent.

Germany, Berlin. The city school inspector, Dr, Berthold, died suddenly of heart disease. His friends thought him in the possession of vigorous health. He has just delivered an oration at the occasion of the Moltke anniversary.

Netherlands. In Luxemberg two high school boys of 17 years of age, recently fought a duel with revolvers. One of the boys was shot in the arm, and sank to the ground. When the other saw this he thought he had killed his adversary, so directed the muzzle of his revolver to his temple and shot himself. The cause of the duel was what old people call "'calves' love."

Sweden. The lower house of parliament in Sweden has among its members no less than fifteen active teachers-viz.: nine engaged in teaching in higher schools, and six in elementary schools.

MILWAUKEE LETTER.

Relations Between the Normal School and Public Schools-Compulsory Vaccination-Educational

Lectures.

The special committee, to whom a resolution of the School Board was recently referred suggesting that a closer relation between the State Normal School and the city schools be established, has reported in favor of admitting the graduates of the model department of the Normal School to the city High School without examination; they also recommend such a change in the rules as shall recognize the Normal School diploma as equivalent to one year's experience in the rating of salaries; the committee advise also that the Board of Normal School Regents be asked to extend the scope of the Normal School by the establishment of