The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-08-30
SOMERSET, OHIO, AUGUST 80. 1877.
Proceedings OF the Teachers Institute.

with those held in our neighboring coun-
ties. About onehundred and fifty teachers |
were in attendance and very good order
and close attention during the work of the
week gave Encouraging evidence Of the in
teresi felt by all, in the work. The hall
was we'll filed during the day sessions and
crowded to overlooking at night.
DIR. Paul of Muskingum College lectured
on Monday and Tuesday evenings, and du-
ring the days from Tuesday until Friday
noon. The subject Tuesday evening was
Manhood Culture" during the days
Grammar Geography and Theory
and Practice. Prof. James Burrier lee
tured during the day, from Monday until
Friday, on Orthography, Penmanship, and
Reading. Rev. White lectured' on We'd
nesday evening on characteristics of the
Teacher" Professor Hatfield of Athens
lectured on Thursday evening on "Eng.
Language" Mr.. Milligan of Somerset
lectured on Thursday, on "Music in Pub
lie Schools" Rey. Wallace lectured on
Friday evening as an introduction to what
the programme styled general good
time"
Music, vocal, was given by a choir of
young ladies and by Mrs. Scott, Miss Tay-
lor, Miss Dunlevy and Mr.. J. II. Huston.
instrumental, by the band, and Miss Anna
Avery. No stronger terms can be used in
general praise Of the exercises than TO re-
state the fact that the court room was we'll
filed and at times over crowded,
and that the best order and attention pre-
vailed and that the interest increased TO
the end Of the session on Friday evening.
When we consider the warmth of the
weather these facts become a very high
compliment to those who contributed to
the exercises. One feature is noticeable
from what has been said-the time was oc-
cupied wholly. by competent lecturers-and
of course occupied more proftably by
teachers than i, would have been had they
themselves occupied il.
mously conceded to be by much the most
interesting and instructive one ever held
in our county. No teacher who has the in
terest Of his profession at heart or has any
ambition to excel can afford to lose an op-
portunity Of hearing SO much and so good
instruction as was given last week, when
the cost of hearing is almost nominal.
Next August the Institute meets at Som.
erset and il will be incumbent on our citi.
zene to manifest lively interest in the
work If they would not be excelled by the
citizens Of New Lexington. We were cor.
daily received by our friends there which
reception / am sure we shall not in one
short year forget. We of the North toe
claim some credit for the liberal atten
dance which ] am sure our southern
friends will reciprocate. II each of US al
teacher strive during the year to inspire
the children and youth under our instruc
tion, and through them nspire.our,patrons
with enthusiasm in school work, we cal
create an educational feeling that will Civ
us next year more profitable and inter
esting convention still than this one ha
proved.
The present state of school interest il
our county ought to bring wholesom
shame to every responsible party. This
presented with more force ithan column
OF lamentation or censure could present i
in the single fact that in the annual report
o1our State Commissioner; in many impol
tant statistical tables, the name of our cour
ty does not appear. Surely if there is on
interest among us that needs judicious an
energetic adherents, it is the interest of th
children and youth of our county, to whol
literary education, if it come at all, mu
come through our public schools. The r.
sponsibility rests largely upon boards
education and on our county examiner
Few teachers will expend time and none
to obtain high qualifications if they ca
secure employment and equal remuner
ton year after year without it. Conscien
may drive, or ambition may allure a fe
through the weariness and headaches tn
every thorough scholar is doomed to q
counter, up to higher attainment, but it
indeed few, for in no department of bui
ness can more universally than in scho
teaching be applied that principle tn
governs the struggling world Of mankind
competition for life and luxury-"get ,
you can for the money" If his emplo
ment depends on qualification and enth
siasm in his work, then the enthusiasts
teacher will qualify for his employment.
The boards of educations and boards of G
aminers, and they only, can make it 80
pend. The best schools of our country 9
of.course far removed from perfection, t
visit the best regulated schools even
our own state and note the completeness
the order and attention that reigns throue
ont every exercise, and without any apy
rent effort by the teacher, and then vi
an average school of our county and
the great effort of the teacher put forth
scolding and threatening and chastisi
and the resultant confusion and inattent
TO business and want of sympathy and C,
6dencs between teacher and learner, and
contrast see how we stand as a county
this most important interest.
Our schools can be improved. No in
ligent man can stand before such c
ven,ion of teachers as met last week
New Lexington and say that the teach
of our county have inferior natural cap
ity. The same books are printed for
reading that are printed for the best Nc
ing ia wanting but the incentive 10
study of the books and the consequent
velopment Of the natural capacity. Boa
of education can give this incentive by
ployiDg teachers who work earnestly
successfully to gather from the years
they pass, wisdom to work Alright
The Institute Resolved:
l. "That we extend hearty thanks to
instructors and lecturers who have c
tributed so much to the success Of our
stitute and also to the ladies, the band,