The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-05-05
EDUCATIONAL.
Annual Meeting of the York Ccunty
Teachers Association.

Teachers Association.
The annual meeting OF the York COUNTY
Teachers Association opened at the Middle
street grammar school building in Saco at 10
o'clock Friday morning, with large attend
ance of members from all parts of the county.
There was full representation of the teach
ers of Biddeford and Saco schools, and the
morning trains from the east and west swelled
the ranks with teachers from neighboripg
towns. This association was organized Oct.
2, 1880, and its career has been surpassed by no
educational society in Maine, with the possible
exception of the Pedagogical. 1t sprung into
existence in Biddeford, with membership Of
so, and there have been fresh additions to Its
ranks each succeeding year. The association
has done much to develop desire for broad
or, deeper education among the scholars of the
county, and the results of its work are recog-
nizable in almost every school from Kittery to
Parsonsfeld. Two meetings year have been
held until the last, when a meeting did not oc-
cur, for various reasons, and each was charac.
terized by perfect harmony, great earnestnsss
and profitable results.
The annual meeting was called to order by
the president, Rev. B. P. Snow, superintend-
emit of Schools of Biddeford, and an earnest
prayer was offered BY Rev. j. M. Bailey OF
Saoo.
President Snow then briefly addressed the
meeting, stating why the annual meeting was
not held last fall, after which the secretary,
Miss Lydia M. Chadwick of Saco, read the re-
port OF the last meeting, which was duly &C.
cepted. Several teachers made remarks desir-
ing certain changes in the organi cation and
membership OF the association. The subject
was fully discussed and finally referred to q
committee. consisting Of Supt. Snow, b. &.
Melcher OF Saco, Oscar o. Owen of Buxton
Centre, Il. P. Sampson of Saco, and Miss L.
A. Burbank of Biddeford, who were to pre-
pare and present such changes as they might
deem advisable. The following were also
made committee on nominations, viz: Roy
al e. Gould of Biddeford, e. P. Sampson and
Miss Ada Hill OF Saco. The first paper to be
presented to the association, entitled "Tfe
School District SYSTEM" by Moses J. Haines
OF Biddeford, was deferred on account of the
absence OF Mr.. Haines.
The subject OF temperance instru ction called
Tor by the State law was taken up and "a lively
discussion followed. being participated in by
Hon. N. A. Luce, State Superintendent, Pros
iaent Snow, DR.. Graves Of Saco, Prof s.. X.
Hitchings Of the Biddeford High School and
others. at the close of this discussion the
meeting adjourned until two O'Clock.
Upon the opening OF the afternoon session,
President Snow read most excellent paper
on What studies should be placed in the Eng
lish High School business course2" He took
the ground that, In our day, almost every de-
partment OF business demands educated men
and that the course as it is now constituted, is
none too heavy for business life,
Mr.. SNOW was followed by Supervisor B, r.
Melcher OF Saco, who presented an able paper.
showing that the usual nigh school course ia too
heavy, and recommending two years course,
embracing all the essentials of a thorough busi.
ness knowledge.
These papers were followed BY an animated
discussion, much being said pro and con-
Fonowing this general discussion on prim-
airy work occurred.
At four o'clock Prof. s. K. Hitchings of Bid
deford gave an excellent and interesting ad-
dress on mineralogy in public schools which
was carefully listened to by those present.
At this point the meeting adjourned to meet
st hsii past seven in the Congregational church
at which time Hon. N. A. Luce of Augusta
delivered very able and telling address.
AT nine O'Clock, May I'd, the convention met
| agreeably to adjournment, in Spring street
Grammar school building. The business Of the
association and reports Of the committees were
now in order.
The committee appointed to present plans
OF reorganization, offered new set of bylaws
which were unanimously adopted. One prom.
inent feature OF this constitution was an article
on membership, which provides for graded
| or classified membership, viz: Glass A, to CON.
than 100 weeks, and such school officers who
have served at least six years.
Glass b, to consist OF active teachers who
have taught "a weeks, and school officers incl.
| ligible in class A, and class to consist
| OF such as are not eligible in class.
es A and B. Membership is 81.
| tended to all persons of York county who are
| interested in education. A form of certificate
| was read and adopted, and the president and
secretary were authorized to issue O certificate
IN Grf0n 0Go CHI .twr 49,
| class in the membership of the association. of
| the holder of the same.
Inc committee on nominations presented
| the names OF the following persons, who were
duly elected officers for the ensuing year viz.
Rev. B. P. Snow, Biddeford, President; Miss
Il. M. Chadwick, Saco, secretary and treasur.
| or, and Moses j. Haines, Biddeford, Theo. T.
Young, Saco, and Miss l.. e. Jordan, Kenne-
bunk, executive committee.
| Supervisor b. Z. Melcher followed with a
very fine paper on School Manners. Owing &c
| the lateness of the hour the subject was moi
| opened for discussion.
| Mr.. L. e. Pease was then introduced and
asked the teachers and friends to yacate thar
seats for little while. which they did, and he
brought in class of 30 pupils, with whom he
illustrated the teaching OF the elements of PEN
manship by what Ia known as the" Compromise
| System" or Straight Back System" The ex-
hibition was ably carried out by Mr.. Pesse and
his class, and was highly interesting TO those
present. At the conclusion of the exercise
Mr.. Pease, in an affable manner, gave some
excellent hints and explanations in reference
| to teaching writing
A resolution of thanks to the teachers and
citixens Of Saco for their generous hospitality
during the convention was presented by MI.
Oven OF Buxton Centre in behalf of visiting
teachers and frisnds, which was adopted BY .
unanimous vote.
Remarks were made upon the workings of
the convention, and the meeting adjourned at
noon to meet at the call Of the executive com.
mittee.
Thus ended one of the most successful ses-
sions OF the association ever held. W.