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The Exeter Advocate, 1898-5-27, Page 6TIM O .e .er Abroicate, Chas. H. Sanders, Editor and Prop THURSDAY; MAY 26, 1898, DOES TIIIS ltE4 N DEG .x'11 EIS 4TIi?2 Thebad influence of the cigarette and the fast style of living that is the habit of the present generation in the large American cities, has been vividly brought to light by no incident grow. ing gut of the war preparations. The percentage of rejections of army appli- cants because of failure to reach the re- quired pbysicialstandard, is about three times as great as it was at the time of the civil war. Dr, Benjamin King, of Philadelphia, who was a military medi- cal examiner in four States during the war of the rebellion, assigns the reason for this alarming deterioration as fel, lows; " l have been iuspeeting the papers in a number of cases under the present recruiting act, and I observe that most of the men who failed to pass the meds cal examination have weak hearts or lack the vitality necessary to make a ,good soldier. I had expected that the percentage of rejections would be great- er now than in 1861, but I did not dream for a moment that it would be about three times as great, The ex attaining physiciaus with whom I have talked have general:y told me that the excess of rejections is due to the large number of young men applying for en- listiuent who have become victims of the cigarette habit Excessive indulgence in the bicycle habit has also been assigned as the rea- son for rejection he some cases, The enormous growth of urban population in the 'United States since the civil war no doubt is largely responsible for the iameetable fact brought out by Dr` King. In the big cities as compared 'with rural communities religion does not impose the same restraints, the morals are more lax, the saloon's bane- ful effects are mare apparent, and there is a general indifference to the disci?. Ruing. of both mind and body that are indespensable to the maintenance of a healthy tone. These characteristics of life in great American cities may well give anxiety to the publie student, for it is by processes such as these that the seeds of national decay are sown. The same trouble is present in Can` ada, though to a lesser extent, due to the greater relative population of rural population. The simplicity and purity of the average rural life is the sheet anchor that must be looked to to pre. vent the national ship from drifting. If itis not equal to the task of replenish- ing the waste and frivolties of the great centres, then the outlook becomes in- deed foreboding. The fashion of derid- ing the rigorous old Puritan standards but betrays how later generations have drifted from safe moorings It may be that Puritan customs and principals were too austere and would admit of modification, but after all, what sort of figure would the average habitue of the modern American city cut beside the Puritan pioneers who laid the foun- dations of the republic? NOTES AND D CO MENTS. It has been said that the present rate war is costing the different roads engaged in it several thousand dol- lars a day. Both the Grand Trunk and the Canadian Pacific are losing in greater proportion than the American Toads, because with these two roads local rates have been cut. At the present time these cut rates are not • stimulating traffic, so that the cut means a direct loss of revenue. The matter now agitating the minds of minor officials employed on these two lines is the question as to whether sal- aries will be cut down or not, as a re- sult of the reduction in revenue. The officials of the G. T. R. and C. P. R. when spoken to on the matter stated that no such move was being contemp- lated. Ravages of Consumption. The'Owen Sound Tine's says: One of the saddest examples of the dreadful havoc wrought by that scourge of hu• manity, consumption, has to be recorded in the case of an Owen Sound family, that has been almost wiped out of ex- istence within the short period of three weeks. The wife of Jacob Meddaugh, ari employe at the chair factory has been suffering from pulmoniary dis ease for several months—her case be- ing hopeless. Three young children having been in almost daily contact with the diseased mother during her illness, contracted the 'deadly malady On April 13th, Herbert, a little child of eight months, died of the trouble, and. On Tuesday the mother succumbed.. The funeral of the latter took place on, Wednesday afternoon, and the hearse had hardly lett the house when another child, Pearl, a girl of about four years,. passed away from the same cause. The father and one little boy are now the sole survivors of a family of five. This. we believeds one of the saddest cases of the kind in -the history of the town. Andrew Smith, ems living near Peterboro' was tramped tp*death• by a buil. West Huron Teachers' Associatio Goderieh, May 20th, 1898, The West Burow Teachers Associa- tion met in the Col1ogiate institute, pur- suant to the call of the Executive Com- mittee, S. J. A, Bo) d, President, in the chair. Devotioi.al exercises were conducted by R. h, Brown. The nunutes of last meeting at Ex eter were read, and on motion of E J. Elagen, .seconded by lnspeetur Tom, the minutes were :adopted. Mr. Tom theu read a circular from R A, Gray, of the ;a atheznatieal Depart- ment of the P.S A., regarding the Jun for Leaving Examination, It was agreed that the circular should be discussed in the space allot ted to Mi' McDonald's paper, and that the latter paper be postponed till the morning sersiota. The foilowiug eomtn.ittees were then appointed by tbe President:--- Auditors—Messrs. Hagen and Brown. Resolution Committee—Messrs. Me. Donald, Howard and Baird, Misses Robertson and AIeC1uskey. ,Moved by E J. Hagen, that all teach ers paying fees be entitled to all priv- ileges of the associatiou. The motion, was seconded by Mr. Brown, curd vote beteg taken, was ear- ried. On motion of 1?. MeTaggart, second ed by E. J. Hagen, the association ad jourued to meet at 1:3Q p m. APT.GRNAON SESSION. Association met at 1;60.p tn., pursu- ant to adjournment. The minutes of the morning sessiou were read and ap proved, Thos. G. Alain was called 'upon to present the subject of teaching eom- mercial work to senior classes. Mr. AIliu gave a. splendid address an this subject, and his renterha were highly appreciated. The question was further discussed by Messrs. Toni, S. P. Balls, Delgat) , Boyd and Miss McLellan. The questiou in,. R. A. Gray's circu- lar was theu discussed by the teachers in general, as were also topics of getter al interest. It was moved by Inspector Tom, seconded by J. S Delgaty, that in the opinion of this Association. artlimetie staid grammar should he replaced on the examination course for Junior and Senior Leaving certificates, and that vale- one language be required at these exatnitiations. The resolution was adopted. The next topic of discussion was, the care of children's eyes. Mr. Tom intro• duced the question and suggested the following. as the chief causes of injury to children'' eyes, viz; (a) Small writing on the blackboard and sitting in wrong positions, (b) The blackboard not a proper col, ar. (c) Studying with poor latnplight or holding the book in, improper posi tion with reference to the light. (d) Scribblers not good for tbe eyes. (e) Pupils hold the books too near the eyes. (1) Pupils admitted to school too soon after suffering from any disease which has proved injurious to the eyes. This subject was very ably discussed by a large number of teachers. D. McGillieuddy being present was inyited to take part in the discussion. He did so, and delivered a short and practical address. The next topic of discussion was whether it was advisable to retain both the Entrance and P. S. Leaving exam inations or not: This subject was very fully discussed by Messrs. Anderson, Delgaty, Strang, Bopp, and Brown. The Sec,-Treas. read a copy of his financial report to the government, which was adopted. Mr. Fred MeTaggart introdued a dis cussion on teaching verb phrases. Mr. MeTaggart stated the difficulties he had experienced in teaching this most difficult point of grammar, instanced his method of introducing this subject to a class and then left the matter open for further discussion. Mr. Strang was called on, and dealt with the subject in his usual exhaustive style, to the great satisfaction of the teachers. On motion, the association adjourned to meet in the evening at 8 p.m. EVENING. In the evening a very useful and enjoyable entertainment and at home was held in the Assembly room. Part one of the program consisted of addressed by the following gentlemen : Revs, Edge and Godwin, Messrs, Jor- dan and Ball, trustees of the High and Public schools respectively and D. Mc- Gillieudy of The Signal. The presi- dent, Mr. S. J. A. Boyd, occupied the chair and delivered his annual address. Mr. Boyd's subject was, "Have Teach- ers any Influence or Professional Spirit Left ? " The address was a splendid effort and Mr. Boyd was highly compli- mented by the speakers that followed. The following distinguished perform- ers furnished the musical part of the program, and their efforts were great ly appreciated. Mrs. Logan, Miss Campaigne, Miss McCall, Miss Whitney and Mr. Stoddart. Part two of the program consisted of refreshments furnished by the teachers of Goderich and their friends. We cannot too highly commend the hospit- ality and good will of the teachers and people of Goderich of which the teachers of West Huron have always enjoyed abundant evidence. The com- mittee, Messrs. Halls and Grant and Misses Charles, Burritt and Sharman, and those who assisted them, deserve the highest praise for the successful manner in which they carried out the arrangements to the enjoyment, com fort and satisfaction of all, SATURDAY MO1tNING SESSION. The association met at 9 a.m., the president occupying the chair. The minutes of the afternoon session and evening meeting were read. Moved by A J. Moore, B.'A., second ed by S, P. Hails, M. A , that the min- utes be adopted, and that the president's address be published in the local papers and alsoin some paper:: or matRazines havwn p ,. provi, tial circulation so that it may reach the great body of teachers in Ontario. The resolution was unaiai piously adopted. Mr. :Valet 'lin : McDonald then very ably discussed "'Teaching Tlathemat ice]. Geography?' Mr. MCDeziald de/iv ered an elegueut and practical address on this important subject. The manlier in which he dealt with this matter would have a tendency to stimulate the teachers to renewed luterest and energy in this part of sehool work, Mr. G. W. Holman then introduced a dlseussiou on tbe distributiou of the coutiuuatiou grant and expressed his disapproval of the method in vogue at present. The question was further dis- cussed by ;Messrs, Hagen, Martin, Brown and Tom. Messrs ;Martin, Alain and Delgaty were added to the resolution committee. The consideration of the President's address was then taken up on motion of Mr. Andersou, seconded by Mr. Delgaty.. It was moved by Mr. Johnston, seconded by Mr. Lawrence, that the Associatiou adapt the principal recons mendation in the President's address, of dividing the inspectorate into a cer- tain number of divisions, and in ac- cordance with the alcove resolution the following committees were appointed to arrange the details of such a division;— ;Messrs. Anderson, Brown, Johnston, Lawrence, Halla, Haxnweli, and Miss Sharman, The election of president, vice presi- dent and secretary -treasurer was then proceeded with and resulted as follows t President• -i, N. Anderson, Exeter. Vice -President --Miss C. A. Boyd, Carlow, Secretary Treasurer—G. W. Holman, Bayfield. The resolutions presented by circular from the Ontario, Teachers' Association were then brought forward, discussed and several amendments made thereto At this stage the Association ad- jaurtied for noon. emettenofe, The association met at 1.30 p, m. Mr. J, C. Alartiu then proceeded to dis- cuss the case of School Helps. Re was followed by Air. R. E. Brown, Both gentlemen discussed the question very fully and inteltigeutly, Several of the teachers took; part in the discussion, and the following resolution was adop- ted by the association That thisassociation desires to call the attention of the Minister of Education to the extensive and increasing use of school helps as furnishing clear evi- dence that the text books in many of the subjects have been found by teach ers to be unsatisfactory and iusull'seient to prepare caudidates successfully for examination. Mr. H, N. Anderson convener of the speeial committee appointed to deal with the President's address reported, and the report as adopted is as follows : Resolved that the Iaspecturate of \Vest Huron he divided into six dis- tricts as hereafter described, each POE which is to form the territory of a local institute, and further that the follow- ing teachers be appointed conveners and secretaries of the organization meeting in each of the districts where- in they severally reside. The divisions, the places of meeting and the duties of conveners and secretaries of each of the distriets are as follows: No I, comprising Exeter village, les - borne township, Stephen and Hay town- ships, east of the Babylon Line, and Hensel'. village. Place of meeting,Ex- eter; convener, Mr, Johnston; secretary, Mr. Delgaty. No 2, comprising townships of Hay and Stephen, West of:the Babylon line. Place of meeting, Grand Bend ; couven• er Mr. Hagan; secretary, Mr. Howard. No. 3, comprising Stanley and Gode• rich townships, south of the Cut Line and Huron Road. Place of meeting, Varna; convener, Mr. Harnwell; sec- retary, Mr. Holman. No. 4, comprising Colborne and Gode- rich townships. north of the Cut Line, and Goderich town. Place of meeting, Goderich; convener, Mr. Halls; secre- tary, Mr. Becket. No. 5, comprising East Wawanosh and West Wawanosh. Place of meet- ing, Fordyce; convener, J. C. Martin secretary, Mr. McDowell. No. 6, comprising Ashfield township. Place of meeting, Lanes; convener, Mr., Boyd; secretary, Mr. McDonald. II. That the date of the organization meeting in each of the districts be the first Saturday in September. III. That notification be sent by printed card, to be furnished by the secretary of the central association. IV. That the officers of the local as- sociations consist of a chairman and a secretary, and a committee of three. V. And that the term of office be a year. TVI. That they meet four times a year. VII. That there be a meeting of the several conveners before the organiz- ation meeting to agree upon a defnate plan of action for the organization and work of the local institutes, and that the travelling g expenses of the conven ers be paid by the general association. Miss C. A. Boyd then . dealt with " Primary Number teaching " :