The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-01-09
ins,,,.,. Reflections.

haze beard lhc n ay-seoond annual gather
ing OF The school, teachers o. Somerset Gun
~ will pass into load history as The most
successful institute held by theu since the
adoption Of the free school system in Penn
s~ylyania. So many features contributed to
The general success Of this seasons meetings
that we cannot attempt 10 discriminate, but
can only direct our readers TO the number Of
columns in this weeks HERALD devoted to
a report Of each days sessions.
80
The frmly-bui slightly understood gen
tleman. with bFistling beard Of black. streak
ed with grey. and. who answered 10 the
name ofHenry Hogch, was the prime favor
lite Of all the teachers from among the in
siruetors. The every appearance Of the Dep
uty-State Superintendent was the signal for
a round OF applause, and when the last echo
OF bis powerful voice, penetrating to the bel
fry OF The conrt house, had died away, all
who had listened felt that they had not only
been pleasantly entertained. but iha, they
had learned something that would furnish
them with food for reflection.
-
John and Jonathan, 8 as all anticipated.
was a comparison OF John Bull and
=" Brother Jonathan, and notwithstanding
the intense democracy OF the eloqnentspeak-
er. We are inclined to the belief that Broth
er Jonathan " was made to suffer uajus,ly
By the cemparisoa. Rev. Robert Nonrse's
lecture was decidedly the most popular Of
the course; entirely free from a~necdote, it
none the less abounded with humor Of the
happics; and most fascinating order, while
its pathos was touching aud sympathetic.
The lessons he sought to teach were driven
home with irresistible logic and el~oquence-
Rev. Nonrse would receive a hearty we'll
come should he be recalled.
The attendance was larger than at any
previous session Of institute. And had the
court room been double its size it would have
been crowded at every session. Hundreds
who were anxious TO enjoy the daily treat
provided were unable 10 gain admission to
tire building. While hundreds Of others who
were more fortunate, we're required to pa
tiently stand throughout the entire DAY.
This may be rcmeiied when tie recon-
-mendations Of the several grand jaFies have
been acted upon and Tie contemplated re-
pairs to the county buildings have been car
ned into effect. Il has been suggested that
an addition be built to Inc court house in
order to provide comfortable quarters for the
grand jary and traverse juriss, 50 long and
50 badly needed, aud for the csnrt library
that the rooms now occupied for this purpose
be added 10 the auditorium and thus relieve
the over crowdinr that occuT many times,
at each regular term Of court. Il might not
be out Of place 10 add in this connection
that II the county commissioners should
feel disposed 10 carry OFT the recent recon-
m-endauens Of the several grand juries and
expend $4,000 in repairs to the public build
ings, they need not increase the ateofta1a-
lion to any appreciable extent.
The total valuation OF Somerset county. in
round numbers, is 100000. The total
valuation Of the average well-to-do farmer
is about 1880. On this presumption, the
farmer proportion in taxes of the $4,000
proposed to be expended in Improvements
would be 5000. Now, suppose the
ty obgisa,es TO pay this indebtedness in a
period Of twenty years. said farmers taxes
would be incrsased 50 cents for each year Of
said period.