The First Teachers’ Institute: A Battle for Seattle’s Soul

Proceedings of Teachers’ Institute of King County Sept. 18, 1872.

MORNING SESSION. The meeting was called to order by Prof. Hill of Territorial University who nominated Rev. D. Bagley, temporary Chairman. Mr. Bagley took the chair after which the choir sang very sweetly a song entitled, "Bow down Thine ear." After the above music, W. M. York was chosen temporary Secretary. The Territorial Superintendent then made learned and impressive remarks on the benefits of education and the importance of improved system of teaching.

On motion of Prof. Hill a committee of three were then appointed to present revised programmes at the commencement of each session. The committee consisted of Mrs. Nettie Hill, Mr. Carr, the County Superintendent and Mrs. C. M. Sanderson.

On motion of Prof. Hill, a committee consisting of Superintendent Rounds, J. Theobalds, Esq., and Prof. Hill were appointed to draft resolutions.

On motion of Mr. Lord, a committee of three were appointed on permanent organization. The committee were Mr. D. R. Lord, Chief Justice Jacobs and Rev. T. Crowl.

Judge Jacobs then made preliminary remarks advocating that teachers should give the methods of teaching now in use in this county in order that corrections might be made or suggested if necessary. Supt. Rounds replied that there could be no change of programme.

Hon. Beriah Brown then delivered a lecture. Subject, "Teaching as a Profession," which was followed by remarks by Supt. Rounds, who closed by moving that a copy of Mr. Brown’s lecture be requested for publication in the papers of the Territory. This motion having been seconded by Judge Jacobs, remarks were made by Prof. Hill, Judge Jacobs, W. W. Theobalds, Esq., W. H. White, Esq., the Chairman and Mr. Clark, all approving the same.

A recess of fifteen minutes was then had; after which a song entitled “Molly Gray,” was sung; and then the motion relating to the lecture of Mr. Brown was unanimously carried. The next exercise was reading a paper by Miss Parsons, subject, Primary Teaching, which was followed by remarks by Rev. Theo. Crowl, J. J. Schilstra, Esq., W. H. White, Esq., Judge Jacobs and W. S. Baxter, Esq.

Mr. Crowl moved that a question drawer be appointed. Carried, and Mr. Crowl appointed to that office.

Mrs. Bell then read a paper; subject, School Government, followed by remarks by Prof. Hill and Mr. Clark. Adjourned to 7½ o'clock P.M.

EVENING SESSION. The meeting was called to order at 7½ o'clock. Mr. Crowl then moved that a copy of Miss Parson’s paper be requested for the purpose of publication. Carried. Mr. Lord then moved that a copy of Mrs. Bell’s paper be requested for publication. Carried. The question on the table relating to postponement of punishment in our primary schools was then taken up and a discussion of the same commenced by Judge Jacobs. Music by the choir followed Judge Jacob’s remarks. Judge Jacobs then delivered a lecture: Subject, "Duty of Every Citizen to Support Common Schools;" after which, discussion on the above question was resumed participated in by W. S. Baxter, Esqr., Rev. T. Crowl, Mr. Atkins, T. H. White, Esqr., Hon. Beriah Brown, Mr. Clark, Rev. G. F. Whitworth and Professor Hill. On motion of Mr. Clark the question was decided in the affirmative. On motion of Dr. Rounds it was voted that this meeting when adjourned should be adjourned to meet at 9 o’clock on the following morning instead of 8½ o'clock as per programme. Third and fourth questions were laid on the table. The meeting then adjourned. D. BAGLEY, President pro. tem. W. M. YORK, Secretary pro. tem.

Sept. 19. MORNING SESSION. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9 o’clock. First exercise consisted of music by the choir. The report of the previous meeting was then read and after the substitution of the name of Mrs. C. M. Sanderson for Judge Jacobs on the Committee on Programme, was adopted. On motion of W. W. Theobalds, Esq. the officers pro tem. were made permanent for this Institute. On motion of Rev. Theo. Crowl the duty of drafting a constitution for the Institute was added to those of the committee on Permanent Organization. Rev. G. F. Whitworth then delivered a lecture, subject: Relations of Teachers to parents. The Committee on Programme reported the following changes of the regular order of exercises: W. H. White, Esq., in place of Miss Eva Andrews, to give a paper on—How I teach Spelling, and J. E. Clark in place of Thomas S. Sloan, to give a paper on—How I teach Arithmetic. After a short recess Mr. Clark gave a paper on How I teach Arithmetic, followed by questions and discussions participated in by several members of the Institute. Mr. White then treated of his subject, How I teach Spelling, which was followed by remarks by several gentlemen. Mrs. Sanderson’s paper is postponed an afternoon. Adjourned.

AFTERNOON SESSION. Meeting called to order by the Chairman at 1½ o’clock. Music by the choir was first given and then Mrs. Sanderson read a paper on the subject of Geography, how taught, followed by remarks. Rev. T. Crowl then a paper on the subject of Teaching as woman's work, followed by discussion participated in by Rev. G. F. Whitworth, Mrs. Xenia Hill, Judge Jacobs, Mr. Grier, W. W. Theobalds, Esq., et al. Voted to dispense with first recess. The following resolution was then carried: Resolved, That it is the sense of this Institute that women are especially fitted for the work of teaching and that they should be encouraged to engage in this work and every other work for which they are fitted or can fit themselves. J. J. McGilvra, Esq., then read a paper on the Course of study best adapted to the young men of the West. Mrs. L. McIntosh then read a paper on Class recitation and object teaching, followed by remarks on both last mentioned subjects. After a recess of ten minutes Supt. Rounds commenced a discussion on text books, describing those proposed to be introduced into the schools of this Territory, etc. Mrs. Nettie G. Hill then read a paper on the subject of teaching Elementary Grammar, followed by remarks by Messrs. Clark, Theobalds, White, Grier, Carr, Whitworth and Mrs. Sanderson. Adjourned to 7½ o'clock P.M.

EVENING SESSION The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7¼ o'clock, followed by music from the choir. Prof. E. R. Hill then delivered a practical and entertaining lecture on Reading and Elocution. Adjourned to meet at 9 o'clock on the following morning. D. BAGLEY, President. W. M. YORK, Secretary.

Sept. 20. MORNING SESSION. The meeting was called to order by the President at 9 o’clock. Minutes of previous meeting read and approved. After music by the choir, Prof. Hill read a letter from Supt’s Rounds, explaining his absence, speaking in high terms of the Institute, and expressing the hope that he might meet the convention again on a similar occasion. Committee on Programme then reported that Rev. John F. Damon had met with an accident which would prevent his delivering the lecture on Corporeal Punishment in Schools as per printed programmes. On motion of Judge Jacobs, it was voted that a question on the table asking if school directors should make rules for the government of schools within their Jurisdiction, should be decided in the negative. After a recess a paper was read by W. M. York, on the subject of Commencement of Schools and Qualification of Teachers. The committee on Permanent Organization made a report which after slight changes was adopted and the committee discharged. The following persons were then elected officers for the ensuing year: Prof. E. K. HILL, President; Miss C. E. PARSONS, Vice President; Mrs. [Name Illegible], Secretary; Mrs. BELL, Treasurer. The committee on Resolutions then reported the following: The Committee on Resolutions report the following: 1. Resolved, That while all sectarian teaching should be carefully excluded from the public schools of Washington, each teacher should feel it to be his duty sedulously to train up his pupils in habits of Christian morals and good manners; and that there can be no reasonable nor lawful objection to the reading of a chapter selected from the Bible at the opening of the school each day, whenever the teacher is disposed to do so. 2. Resolved, That it should be the aim of all teachers so to act as to encourage the active sympathy of parents and citizens generally in favor of our schools, and that it would redound to the best interests of the young, as well as to the permanent welfare of every community, if a deeper concern were felt and manifested by both parents and teachers on behalf of the school system of our Territory. 3. Resolved, That liberal legislation and an increased rate of taxation are needed to the due improvement and progress of our public schools in this Territory. 4. Resolved, That all the schools of our Territory should act as leaders in furnishing advanced pupils to the Territorial University, and it in turn, should prepare teachers for our public schools, and thus both should mutually help each other and work together in elevating the standard of education in every grade of our entire school system from the primary up as the highest studies that may ever be taught. 5. Resolved, That so far as practicable Teachers’ Institutes should be held in each county at stated times, and both school directors and teachers should attend the same and encourage the attendance of parents and all others who feel any interest in the subject of education. 6. Resolved, That it is the opinion of the members of this Institute that the books recommended by Superintendent Rounds for the use in our Territorial schools are well adapted for that purpose; and in order to produce uniformity it is desirable that they be introduced as soon as possible everywhere. 7. Resolved, That the thanks of this Institute be and are hereby cordially tendered to those friends who have provided us with a place of meeting, with private entertainment, with music and other favors not necessary to be here enumerated. 8. Resolved, That these Resolutions and the proceedings of this Institute be furnished by the clerk to the press of Seattle, with a request that the same be published and copied by other papers friendly to the cause for the information of all friends of education throughout our Territory. N. ROUNDS, E. K. HILL, W. W. THEOBALDS, Committee on Resolutions. Which were adopted, and the Convention adjourned subject to the call of the Executive Committee. In concluding this report we deem it proper to make an expression of our appreciation of the interest manifested by many of the citizens, and their untiring efforts to make the Institute a marked success; and particularly would we mention Mrs. David Kellogg, who presided so faithfully and well at the organ. D. BAGLEY, President. W. M. YORK, Secretary.