Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-02-17
SCHOOLS AND THINGS.
State Superintendent Hoitt's Observations
About Bakersfield.

About Bakersfield.
Ira G. Hoitt, Superintendent of Public
Instruction, returned from Bakersfield yes
terday, where he had been attending the
Kern County Teachers Institute during
the past week. In reply to a RECORD
UNION reporter, who inquired of Mr.. Hoitt
concerning what he saw and how he found
things, The latter said:
81 was delighted with my entire trip. II
went to San Francisco and attended meet
ing of the Regents of the University on
Tuesday, and enjoyed my ride to Bakers
field on Wednesday. The entire San Joa-
quin valley is becoming beautiful and
pleasant TO look upon. On my arrival, l
found DR.. Stratton just closing one of his
most interesting lectures to the Institute
and the public. The next morning all
the teachers in the county except two were
present at the Institute and all took an
earnest, thoughtful part in the exercises.
Mr. t. o. Crawford, of the Oakland public
schools, was present. and took an active
| part in the discussions. Mr.. Crawford lee
| tured in the evening. Amongst other
| prominent persons present and taking some
| part in the Institute work were Mr.. joseph
| 0'Connor, of San Francisco, and Mr.. c. S.
| Young, ex-State Superintendent of Schools,
now managers of the Young & O'Connor
Lerdo Colony, twelve miles from Bakers
field; also, Mr.. Smith, editor of the Echo
and Mr.. Sherman, editor of the Kern C0atntp
Californian, and Rev. Mr. Graham. These
gentlemen addressed the institute, much
to the pleasure and profit of all concerned.
On Friday evening l lectured to full
house. whose marked attention and ex-
pressions of appreciation afforded me salts
faction.
THE people of Bakersfield take great in
terest in their schools and while wonders
are being done in the way of rebuilding
the town in a more substantial manner
than before, the Trustees are about to call a
school election to vote on the question of
issuing $4,000 or $50 900 in bonds for the
erection OF fine new school building. The
press is secopding the motion in good
earnest and there is no doubt that the ma
jority vote will be in favor of the new
house. Amongst the work exhibited by the
various schools of the county was beauti.
full new American flag nine by fourteen
feet, bearing forty,two stars, just pur-
chased by the school in Tehschapi district;
am sure it will not be long before the
teachers, pupils and people in Bakersfield
and some of the other districts in Kern
county will cause the American flag to
float over their school buildings and suit
able decorations will ornament their inside
walls.
mo better evidence is nseded of the
energy, enterprise and true pluck of the
people of Bakersfield, than the fact that
since the great fire. there has been COM
pleted, or are now in process of completion,
100000 worth Of new and substantial
buildings. II does one good to be amongst
such people if only for short time.
md ba L. H.
Institute to have been the best ever
held in the county and Superintend-
ent Harrell received many congratu-
lations, which he deserved. AT the close
of my lecture Mr. Young and Mr.. Joseph
0'Connor extended an invitation TO all
members of the Institute to take a free
ride to Lerdo and partake of free banquet
and visit the famous stock ranches on the
great Haggin plantation. Accordingly
teams were ready on Saturday morning,
and after driving twelve miles over a good
road, flanked by broad acres, beautifully
and literally covered with gorgeous wild
flowers. we arrived at Lerdo where we
found sixty men and $50 horses engaged in
making irrigation districts, leveling the
land, blowing and planting $50 acres in
raisins. 1t was novel sight for some of
US, and after riding about for an hour we
were treated to banquet such as no one
can find only on such a ranch, managed
by such enterprising men. We all con-
Guided that Young and O'Connor had q
fortune in sight, if they did not already
possess it, and that they deserved it.
From there we were driven TO the
charming residence of Hon. W. B. Carr, at
Belleview, twelve miles away. Here we
found trees laden with fine oranges and
some of the largest garden vegetables we
bad ever seen. We were courteously
shown about the place by the younger Mr..
Carr, and again took up the lire of march
to the residence of Captain Taylor, where
we spent an hour viewing the fine blooded
horses
"a short drive from here and we were at
the dairy and creamery, and after a short
stop we were whirled into Bakersfield be-
hind our feet sieppers, where we arrived
at 6 P. NJ all wondering at the wonderful
productiveness of the soil when sufficiently
supplied with water. For, though it be
desert land, it makes vegetation blossom
like the rose"