Worcester daily spy., 1858-11-23
n1n...chu.e,.. reneher., A.soeIelIon.

Nov Y, 1910.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. D. B.
Ragar, the President Of the Association,
Prayer was then offered by Rev. Mr.. Jones,
and the constitution and bylaws we're read.
The annual report of the Treasurer was then
read. By this report it appeared that the bal
Ance in the treasury, at the Lass report, was S47l
81; cash received from the State, $500; for ad
mission, $50; total S79l 81. lie payments
during the year have been S47l s.. leaving bal
ance in the treasury of S3l9 96
Hon. Isaac Davis, Mayor Of the oity, then vel
coined the Association, in pertinent address, to
the city, a-d the hospiI.litcs Of its inhabitants,
as follows;
MAYOR DAvIs's WELCOME
Mr. President, aud Ladies and Gentlemen Of the
Massachusetts Teachers Association;
1Cgives me very great pleasure to witness this
large assemblage OF teachers in the city of Wor-
cester. have been teacher in the common
schools of Massachusetts, and, allow me TO RGy
that in position Of life have felt that my re
sponsb1ity greater than when : teacher.
No association Of individuals could have assem-
bled in this place, which holds greater infu-
enee over the destinies Of the youth OF MassA-
chusetts To you is intrusted the momentous
responsibility Of training, moulding, and forming
mnds which are hereafter to guide and manage
the Social civil moral, and religious institutions
Of our beloved Commonwealth. You belong to
a noble profession, than which none is more hon
orable, none more responsible, none more mo-
mentous. In the beautiful language OF the law,
you are required to exert your best endeavors to
impress upon the minds OF children and youth
committed TO your care the principles Of pety
justice, sacred regard to truth love Of country,
humanity, universal benevoience, sobriety, indus
try, hugalitys chastity, moderation, and temper
auAg gkn1r 49, ,-,.v - ~
ment of human society and the basis on which
our republican constitution is founded. And you
are to guide your pupils into clear understanding
OF these virtues-lo preserve and perpetuate
republican constitution and secure the blessings
OF liberty, as well to promote their future hap
piness-and also to point out to them the evil
tendency OF the opposite vices. Be faithful to
the trusts oontded to you, and the Great Teacher
VIII pronounce on you the welcome plaudit, Well
done, good and faithful servants
But am not here, Mr.. President, to speak to
you OF your noble calling or the duties incident
to It, but, in behalf Of the citizens of Worcester,
TO bid you hearty welcome TO the city and its
hospltaties. We welcome you not simply as
Teachers, but as tue friends Of sound education,
OF pure morality, and true philosophy. We vel.
come you not only as the friends Of our children,
but as friends Of civil and religious liberty and
the free institutions OF our common country.
Hoping and trusting that you will have no occa-
SION to regret your assembling here, and having
completed the objects of Jour meeting you will
return to your homes in peace andi safety, with
stronger faith in your high calling again bid
you cordial welcome to the heart of the Com.
monwealth, and TO the hearts of the citizens of
the city Of Worcester.
This was very appropriately replied to by the
President Of the Association, as follows;
MR.. HAGAR's RESPONSE.
Mr.. Wayor-rhe generous welcome which you
have been pleased to extend to the members of
our Association commands our grateful acknoWl-
edgments We thank you, sir, for your words Of
welcome, Of sympathy, and encouragement and
we thank yonr fellow citizens. who have SO kind
ly otter ed US the hospitaliiies Of their pleasant
homes Coming among your people at a mo
meut when nearly every family is preparing to
welcome home some absent member, and when II
would not be strange if strange faces were unwel-
come, We feel that, in thus intrudinG upon the
antepast OF your Thanksgiving festival, we be-
liberality.
Today, Mr., Mayor, four thousand Massaehu-
sets scnoolhouses are vacant. Where day or
two since was heard the busy hum of school life,
silence now reigns. The two hundred thousand
children who were lately gathered in city and
town, IN valley, and upon the mountain side,
have left their books, and are now rejoicing In
the delights Of Thanksgiving week.
In this interval Of rest we have gathered here
as the representatives Of FIVE thousand public
school teachers, TO whom is entrusted the moral
and intellectual training Of that multitude Of
children.
1t lis pleasure to u.s. after the labors of the
year, to meet one another again, and to inter
change sentiments of ffriendly sympathy and mu
tual regard. We are glad of another opportuni.
ty to advise, consult, aud encourage, each his
friends. Whatever Of wisdom the successes and
failures Of the past year have added to the com.
mon stock, we come to obtain Whatever plans
are possible for promoting the welfare Of teach
ers and schools, we come to devise. Whatever
lnnuenee we can use in behalf Of educational in.
terests ~ the community in which we sonvene,
that influence we wish to exert.
ln word, sir, the chief objects we have in view
in this, as in all our meetings, are these To
elevate the standard Of education throughout our
Commonwealth to advance the welfare of
teachers IN all their interests and to awaken the
puollc mind to thorough appreciation of the
paramount Importance Of educating children
Alright,
With these objects before as, we enter upon
the duties OF the present occasion and we ear.
nestly hope that our deliberations will lead to wise
conclusions, and that all our exercises will be of
such character that the citizens of Worcester
VIII have occasion to feel that their hosDitalitiss
nave been wisely, as we'll as kindly, bestowed.
Mr.. Aagar, the President, then proceeded to
read the annual address. 1t was well consider.
ed and well prepared document, in which nanv
pertinent and important suggestions were made.
Ihe farce Of examinations, as required by law,
and as practically conducted, was commented upon
at some length, and in manner that seemed TO
command the approval of the meeting.
A recess Of FIVE minutes was then taken. and.
on again coming 10 order, several notices we're
read by the President.
Homer B. sprague of Worcester moved to
amend the constitution by striking out the word
honorary" from the last section Of the second
article. This would place female members on the
same level with males, with the same rights and
privileges, and, by the provisions Of the oonstilu
tiOn. lies over to the next annunl meeting, before
it can be acted upon.
Mr.. Philbriek Of Boston. after pertinent and
somewhat extended remarks, moved that com
inittee Of five be appointed to consider andgre.
port what action shall be taken in reference to
the several subjects proposed for consideration in
the address Of the President.
G After some remarks by Rev. Mr. Richardson Of
Worcester, the motion was adopted, and the
appointment Of the committee ordered.
The regular subject for discussion was then
taken up, viz;
"fhe expediency Of Aboilshing the district
system, IN order to impose the entire control OF
the schools In each town, in the hands Of its
school committee"
Mr.. Northrup, Agent Of the Board Of Educa.
tion, took the floor in favor Of the proposed
change, and, In the course Of his remarks, stated
some facts Of singular character coming to his
knowledge while visiting, officially tho sevefal
portions Of the State
Mr.. Nutting, Of Holliston, followed on the