The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-01-03
AFTERNOON SESSION.

AFTERNOON SESSION.
The exercises were opened with music by
the Institute.
Miss Ella KImmell followed with a class
drill in Literature, by n class of pupils from
the Somerset schools. The scholars exhib-
tied much training aud mental discipline
ON the part OF their teacher, as none of them
failed in reciting what they had so well
committed from the different authors.
This being Directors day the nesting was
given into their hands. and Gen. W. IL.
Koontz having been invited to address them.
delivered a telling speech on the Relation OF
Public Schools TO Government. He said
that a proper discussion of the subject in
wolves the consideration of three things
First. What constitutes a public school?
Second, What is the nature and character of
our government? Third, The relation be-
tween these. He said that the common
school was the creature of legislative enact
ment, and was supported aud sustained by
constitutional provision. That the consti-
tuition of 1883 provided for a system of edu-
cation throughout the State SO that the poor
MAY be taught gratis, and that the constitu-
ton of 1878 provided that the general assem-
bly, shall provide for the establishment of
public schools throughout the Common
wealth of Pennsylvania, and hat the legis-
lature shall appropriate at least one million
dollars each year for their support. II is
the duty of the parent to educate the child.
A. the family is the foundation Ofthe State,
the education ofthe family is the foundation
of the greatness of the State.
In 1912 Martin Luther favored the adop-
ton of common schools for the poor, and in
connection with Melanchton he drew up a
system OF public schools, and throughout
his life said that it was a subject near and
dear to his heart. The coininon schools
take hold Of the child aud lead him up, so
that when he comes to maturity he is capa
bic If administering government in tins
great government of ours. He closed by
stating that the common school was the pill
lar Of the government. and that we could
only preserve our institutions by strength
ening and maintaining these institutions, SO
that in the onward march OF civilization
universal education might 20 hand in hand
with universal liberty.
Director David Husband discussed at
length the subject of "A Uniform System of
Text Books in the Common Schools, and
stated that there was q great diversity ia the
Use o ftext books in the schools of the coun-
~, and that it would be highly beneficial 10
adopt some system of uniform text books.
He spoke of the manner in which directors
were daily harrassed by Doc agents, or
drummers. as he called them. He suggested
that the only way out oftbe difficulty would
be by legislative enactment, aud that the
County Superintendent, ncDnjunction with
the State Superintendent should recommend
to the legislature the adoption OF such alaw.
He said that an attempt had been made at
several directors conventions, held for the
election of County Superintendent to hold
the directors for ten minutes after the regn-
lar convention. in order To bring tins subject
before them, but that II was utterly iinpossi
Bile to keep them in the room after the cleo
tion was decided. To carry out his object
he illustrated il by telling the anecdote OF
the little boy who was crowded with
blankets at Saratoga.
The Superintendent then followed by
saying that he was aware that there was no
class oi schoo officers VINO received SO much
abuse as the directors, and in many instan-
ces the abuse heaped upon them was UNI
warranted. He said he desired no better
evidences of the onward strides the common
schools were making in the county. than
the erection Of the beautiful school building
on the Academy grounds in this borough.