The Grange advance., 1874-07-01
THE GRANGE ADVANCE.
WEDNESDAY. JULY l. 1874.
II Educational.

Ihe Clerks OF tne fuDnc OchOOiS OF
Goodhue County met at the Court
House in Red Wing, on Friday the 26th
of June, at 10 o'clock A. NJ. The con-
vention was called to order by the
County Superintendent, J. W. Hancock,
and proceeded to perfect an organization.
Fletcher L. Hagler of Roscoe was elect
ed President, and S. b. Root Of Spring
Greek, Cherry Grove Township, was
elected Clerk.
The Supt. read the law in pursuance
Of which the meeting was called.
Under motion, a committee Of three,
consisting of B. B. Herbert, of Red
Wing, H. B. Powers. of Roscoe, and H.
W. Bailey, of Florence, were appointed
to prepare list Of subjects for discus
sion at the afternoon session.
The rest Of the forenoon session was
passed in the suggestion of topics by
members of the convention, and adjourn
ment was had.
After dinner the convention met at
II o'clock, and the committee on Order
of Business reported the following sub
jects for discussion
lst. How to secure good teachers
3D. How to retain good teachers.
Sd. School District officers and their
duties.
4th. School houses, grounds, fuel and
seating.
5th School apparatus, maps, &c.
Gth School meetings, how to secure
the attendance Of voters, and to make
the meetings means of advancing the
cause of education in the Districts.
9TH. How to secure uniformity in
the annual reports.
8th Holidays.
Under the first question Supt. Hancock
thoug int the trouble was that Directors
waited for teachers to apply, instead of
searching for the best teachers, and seem
to think they must give preference to
the first one applying; this is all wrong.
1t was suggested that they begin in
time, write to disinterested parties to
make enquiries of qualifications and sue
cess Of teachers, should always examine
certificates Of teachers, should demand
good teachers and pay good wages.
It being remarked that the State
Supt. was present, he was invited by
vote to address the convention.
Supt. Wilson said that he looked up.
on this provision for the assembling Of
the Clerks, as one Of the most import
ant features of the school law.
1t is as important, relatively, that the
drayman on the street should do his
duty we'll, as that the President should
do his duty well. The Superintendent
and teachers cannot succeed without the
intelligent aid Of school officers, no more
than generals and captains can fight bat
ties without the private soldiers. He
said the reason that work was not better
done by clerks was because it was not
paid for, thought clerks should be paid a
reasonable compensation for the time
actually employed, and be reimbursed
for all expenditures for stationery,
stamps, &c. School District officers in
accepting Office agree to perform the
duties of the Office and should perform
their work faithfully.
The Superintendent referred to what
is known as the township system, adopt
ed in Illinois, Michigan and some other
States, the system of having the school
officers to superintend all the shools Of
township. He thought this system
had its advantages in fixing sites for
school houses, and in obtaining more
efficient and better qualified officers.
He thought these and other questions
Of like nature should be discussed at
these meetings Of the clerks. The
State Superintendent then spoke of the
Importance Of retaining good teachers,