The Somerset reporter., 1890-02-13
school Supervision.

IMPORTANT MEETING OF The BOARD %
TRADE II CONSIDERATION THEREOF.
N accordance with the call In the RE-
PORTER last week. the Board Of Trade
met at g. A. X. Hall Monday evening
last, TO consider the important question
Of supervision Of the schools Of our
town,
10 the absence Of President Anderson,
Vice President Stafford occupied the
chair. He stated the special object Of
the meeting aud called upon l.. l.. Wal
ton. Esq, 70 open the discussion.
Mr.. Walton alluded TO remarks made
10 his presence By certain gentlemen In
the Western part OF the State, 10 the eff
feet that Skowhegan was far behind
other and similar towns In school mat
ters.
Gen. X. B. Shepherd, said that there
was lack OF system and In our schools lari-
Vt Of supervision. The teachers have gen
orally done all that is reasonable to expect
Of them under the circumstances. There
should be a complete revision OF the
course OF study We raise money enough
and have good school houses. The
remedy Is not easy to determine.
Rev. A. J. Racklirf said the matter WAS
a very important one. and as 1t is 30 din
cult 10 find one man competent to do the
varied work, division Of the work
may possibly be solution Of the pro-
blem.
Hon. L. H. Webb was greatly interest
ed in the schools, and while he did not
believe ours were so far behind as
has been reported by people Of other
places, there was doubtless room for
Improvement
Mr.. Walker, principal OF the high
school, spoke Of some Of the defects Of
the courses of study Of his school, and
the difficulties attending the workings Of
the grammar and high schools under the
present arrangement.
Miss Dora Cleveland, lady principal Of
the grammer school, said that many
pupils came to her school poorly fitted,
that grading was not properly regarded,
that teachers received little assistance or
encouragement from parents.
Hon. s. j. Walton said the schools
were too long, pupils were "cramme1"
they attempted too much and there was
great lack OF thoroughness.
Miss Annie Russell, teacher, said IL you
expect the pupils In a given number of
years to take the prescribed course Of
study the schools were not too long, in
deed the primary schools were too
short, and making the schools short had
the tendency to prevent thoroughness,
and increase the evil OF ''cramming."
Miss Stella Fostor thought one trouble
In cur schools was that we were apt to
lose sight OF the fact, that the mind of
the pupils Of 10 or IL has not the maturi-
ty Of that of those Of Is or u, and we
are apt to expect too much Of them.
Mr.. Il. ii. Marble thought the central
object OF our school system should be to
enable the great number OF boys and
girls who have TO leave school at 10 to Is
years Of age to get the most practical
benefit and suggested that a practical
man, even though he did not know much
about greek and latin might do good work
In the supervision Of schools.
Mr.. Stafford spoke of the difficulties he
had experienced with high school gradu-
ates In practical business affairs that any
common school pupil should know
about.
Nearly all those who made remarks did
30 at the call Of the chair or some one in
the audience. The remarks took quite a
Wlut range uOL Dcluk CouHueu W SUPER
vision wholly. The meeting was one OF
interest and In view of the fact that
Supervisor Blckford declines to take the
Office again, under any consideration and
and that Town Meeting comes off In less
than weeks, 1t Is timely one for con-
sideration. On motion Of Mr.. l.. W.
Weston it was voted to adjourn to Sat-
urday evening, the 18th instant, for fur
Their discussions of this question and
general invitation Is extended to all, es-
pecially teachers.
On motion Of o. X. Bachelor, Esq,
DR.. j. N. Merrill was appointed com
nittee to arrange with +. c. jordan, c.
E. OF Portland, to deliver an address, On
sanitary matters, sewerage and plumb.
ing In Coburn Hall some time during
this month, under the auspices Of the
Board Of Trade.
President Anderson was authorized to
appoint delegates to attend the State
Board Of Trade meeting to be held at
Auburn the goth inst.