INTELLECTUAL TRAINING AND MORALS.

On the one hand it is evident that the successful training of the mind increases the power of perceiving the force and the benefits of moral obligations. But on the other hand, it is doubtful if such training does anything whatever to increase the power of resisting impulses of an immoral kind. It has to be admitted, therefore, that in an intellectual education, pure and simple, there is very little moral power. It is for this reason that the average intelligence in our reformatories and penitentiaries falls so little below, if indeed it falls at all below, the average intelligence of the community at large. Some thing more than a knowledge of evil is necessary to prevent evil. Evidently, then, the only way to improve morality is either to strengthen the moral impulses, or, on the other hand, to weaken the forces tending to immorality. Does college life accomplish these ends? If it is wisely conducted I should say, unquestionably, yes.-Projessor C. K. Adams, in February Forum.

AN AGED INDIAN SCHOOLBOY.

The Carlisle Indian School has the oldest pupil now attending a school in the United States. He is a man sixty years old, of vigorous body and fine, open face. Previous to coming to Carlisle, he was known among all the Indian tribes of the West. The tribe to which

he belongs is a small yet a powerful one. This man, who is called Crazy Head, was chief of the Crow nation, and his record as a warrior and a chief are well known. He seems anxious to learn white men's ways and white men's works. He has learned the blacksmith trade. He attends school instructions half days, and works the other half.

TALL AND COSTLY.

Chicago is likely to memorize the year of the World's Fair by the completion of a structure that propably has no competitor, for the number of stories at least, while perhaps few private edifices can be found that will cost as much money. A local journal of that growing city says: "The greatest building in the world, to be known as the new Fair Building, is to be erected in Chicago on State, Dearborn and Adams streets. It is to be sixteen stories high, of steel and fire-proof material, containing twenty-two elevators and costing $3,000,000."

IRA G. HOITT,

JULIA B. HOITT,

Official Department.

DECEMBER, 1890.

Superintendent Public Instruction Deputy Superintendent Public Instruction

TEACHING IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

Q. Is it the intent of the law that service as teacher in a foreign country should be included in the time required for State diplomas?

A. Nothing in our present law excludes such service. It rests entirely with the County Board whether they will accept it or not. Our law should be amended so as to require at least three years' teaching in California for a State diploma.

JANITORIAL DUTIES.

Q. What are the duties of a janitor and how often performed? A. A janitor should keep the school building and yard in an orderly and cleanly condition. Should bring wood and water (where necessary), make fires, etc. These duties should be performed as often as the nature of the work requires.

RAISE OF SALARY UNDER A CONTRACT.

Q.-The Trustees of a School District having entered into a contract with a teacher to teach a school at $80 per month, can they, after four months' teaching, by a majority vote, raise the salary to $90 per month?

A. I think a contract may be rescinded by a majority of the parties making the same and new terms agreed upon, but I do not think it would be a wise thing to do in the case referred to.

POWER OF TRUSTEES TO GRANT A HOLIDAY.

Q.-Would it be illegal for the Trustees to grant a holiday and permit the time to be made up by taking part of the time allowed for intermission?

A.-The Trustees can grant a holiday and make arrangements to have the time made up, provided the arrangement does not conflict. with Sec. 1673 of the Political Code.

NON-PROFESSIONAL PERSON AS SUBSTITUTE.

Q. Can a person who does not hold a certificate act as a substitute in a city school and draw pay?

A.-A person who does not hold a certificate cannot legally teach in any public school, and the Superintendent would be violating the law if he drew a warrant in payment for the services of such person. See Sections 1700, 1701 and 1860, Political Code.

TEACHER AS JANITOR.

Q. Can a teacher claim janitor's pay when the Trustees and County Superintendent have failed to appoint a janitor?

A.-A teacher could not legally claim pay for the services without a special agreement, but in my opinion it would be a matter of justice to the teacher to allow him pay for the work.

TRUSTEES' POWER TO SUSPEND SCHOOL.

Q. If a teacher has a contract to teach a school for a specified time, have the Trustees power to make the teacher close school on account of bad weather?

A.-The Trustees have a right to close school, but they must pay the teacher for the full time contracted for.

MEETING OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

A meeting of the State Board of Education has been called for December 27, 1890.

INSTITUTES.

Sacramento County, November 24; Santa Clara County, November 24; Shasta County, December 17; Placer County, December 16; Merced County, December 16; Yolo County, December 17; Tulare County, December 17; Tehama County, December 22.

The Tehama County Institute program calls especial attention to the following resolution, adopted November 16, 1880, by the teachers of the County in Institute assembled:

Resolved, That no teacher be allowed pay for attending the session of subsequent Institutes, without first obtaining a certificate of attendance, signed by the Superintendent and attested by the Secretary, and that the Trustees be so instructed.

Institute Department.

The annual meeting of the teachers of Alameda County was held in Oakland during the last three days of October. In an enrollment of about three hundred nearly all were in regular attendance. The address of County Superintendent P. M. Fisher was so heartily received and was the subject of so much deserved praise that we give it in full in this number of the JOURNAL. The retirement of Mr. Fisher at the end of his present term, after several years of most acceptable service, was made the occasion of a pleasant episode during the Institute. The teachers of the county thought it befitting that something should be done to show their appreciation of his faithful services, and they accordingly took this occasion to present him with a fine gold. watch-a valuable gift worthily bestowed.

Prof. John Dickinson of Los Angeles was present during most of the Institute and addressed the teachers several times. Prof. Martin Kellogg of the State University gave an interesting account of his visit to several schools in London. C. B. Morgan, a member of the Oakland Board of Education, gave a thoughtful paper on "Education and the Needs of the Oakland School Department," showing he was fully abreast of the times on matters pertaining to his subject. Another interesting feature of the Institute was an address by W. H. Chickering, Esq., on “A Patron's View of the Public Schools." Mrs. L. R. Griffin of the Oakland High School read a paper on "The Importance of the Study of Civil Government," which caused quite an animated discussion. R. P. Gleason of the Oakland Manual Training Department gave an account of the work of manual training in the Oakland schools.

State Superintendent Hoitt was present one day and gave a brief address, and State Superintendent elect, J. W. Anderson of San Franciso, also favored the Institute with his presence.

All the papers and discussions showed the teachers of Alameda County to be earnest, appreciative and progressive.