The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-03-09

The Teachers Association Of the sixth,
seventh aud eighth districts Of Cecil county
met at the Port Deposit High School, on
last Saturday, March 2nd, the President in
the chair. The meeting was called to order
at 300 2. NJ, and was opened with prayer
by Mr.. John D. {. Hanna.
The roll being called thrty-One members
responded 10 their names; four were absent
with excuse, aud three without excuse.
Suitable arrangements had been made by
the Executive Committee for the filling of
the musical part of the programme, but
the ladies who had consented to perform
were uuavoidably detained at their homes
The secretary read letters from Rev. T.
J. Aiken and George w. Easter, thanking
the Association for their election to hon,
orary membership, and expressing their
sympathy with the cause of education,
and especially with the work of the public
schools.
Mr.. john 4. Calhoun became an active
member of the Association and MIR. George
w. Nichols, of Aberdeen. Hartford county,
was made an honorary member.
Mr.. Hanna moved that some member of
the Association be appointed as critic,
whose duty it shall be to criticize faults of
the pronunciation, grammar, elocution, or
any other faults the criticism of which
may result in the improvement of the
member criticized. Unanimously carried.
The President appointed for the next
meeting Rev. +. J. Aiken.
The Executive Committee reported the
following programme of literary exercises
for the April meeting: essayist, Mr.. F. NJ.
Rawlings; select reading, Miss Mate l..
P.t,. ,tsa 81 l,,l, n
Question for debate :" How far should
the State provide for the education of its
future citlzens?' Disputants,-Mr. J. c.
Warner, NJ. 5. Men aimee, Miss Emma w.
Moore, Mr.. W. g. Gayley, Mr.. Samuel J.
Tammany and Miss Molle r. Williams
The literary exercises being next in order.
Mr.. W. G. Gayley read thoughtful essay
on Arithmetic The ladies appointed
for select reading being called upon, Miss
Fannie Christie responded by reading a
selection from " ScrIbner's Monthly en-
titled "Christmas Night in the Quarters"
and NJ ISIS Mary Sauter by reading " Pledge
with Wine" The question for discussion
was then taken up, Is the itinerant life
of IA teacher most desirable to the teacher,
and most advantageous to the progress of
the schools?' Of the debaters appointed,
Mr.. NJ. ). McNamee and Mr.. John d. G..
Hanna responded III speeches, and Miss NJ.
f. Clendenin, by reading an essay on tho
question, not only added much to ths ne
ga,iVa side, but, what was far better, by
her modest bearing, convinced the Associa
ton that ladies could in this manner take
part in the debates, without opening them
selves to tie charge of being 'strong
minded women" Mr.. J. G. Warner was
suffering from a cold SO severe that he
could scarcely speak, and was excused
Mr.. f. 5. Maxwell was absent, Mr.. i. NJ.
Rawlings was excused, aud Miss Mate l..
Roberts read an excuse III rhyme. Tie
question then being open for general de-
bate, Mr.. George W. Nichols, Rev. Johu
Squire and Mr.. John A. Calhoun made
highly interesting speeches. The general
sentiment OF the Association was that an
itinerant is neither desirable to the teach
ers nor advantageous to the progress of the
schools, and that when teachers course
Is such as to occasion frequent removals. it
were best to " ltlneratp him out of the
ploiession. nev John Sauler stated the
encouraging tact that boards of trustees.
as well as the public at large, are being
educated to estimate the work of the
teacher by the general results rather than
10y the Ihoug htless criticisms OF incom
petent persons The debate was spirited
aud highly interesting throughout, and
many were very regrettul when the hour
for adjournment arrived.
The question What aro tho proper
Incentives to ,iae i'll Oraer to secure the
interest," ii The SCHOLARS III their Studies -
referred by Mr.. Hanna TO Mr.. Y. Ii. Watts
AT the February nleeting was answered by
Mr. Watt. by calling attention to chapter
viii, sec. /, and :; of Pages " Theory aud
Practice OF Teaching" but the Associa
zion, not being satisfied with this mode Of
answering referred questions. requested
Mr.. Watts to answer a. Ae April meeting.
The Presideap seated that the county
exam iipr ana the commissioners were
present and that it any desired information
III regard to the management OF the public
schools IN the county they would be glad to
Impart il.
1t was Il subject of general congratula-
ton among the teachers to which the Pres
ldent gave u.terance that so many of tue
active members were present, aud al were
delighted to See SD many visitors from Port
and the surr"-a,ing country manifesting
An interest in the Association. aud they
hope that many more will not only attend
the next meeting, but also take part in the
exercises.
Upon motion ad journed to meet at Port
Deposit, Saturday, April 1878. at 80
z. NJ. JOHN d c. HANNA, Sec.