The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1891-11-20
The Bradford Teachers
Institute.

''DOpS the cause of education make any
progress in the state of Vermont" is a
question which concerns, or should con-
Germ, every taxpayer, every cltlZen-yeS,
every individual in the state.
If public interest furnishes any criterion
on which to formulate an answer to this
question, judging from the success of the
Orange County Teat h rs Institute held in
Bradford, Wednesday, Thursday and Fri
day of last week, the answer must DE EN-
phatically ''yes."
Although this Institute was but con-
tinuaton of the one held at Randolph last
June and consequently drew from only
half of the County, the attendance of
teachers was the largest ever known in Or
ange County. One hundred one teachers
registered and it is estimated that at least
one hundred twenty-five were in attend
ance during the two days. This is an eX-
traordinarily good showing and proves
Orange County will not let pass any OPP
pOrtunity or means whereby they may in
crease their knowledge of methods of in
structiOn, or whereby their teaching may
be made more effective. Large delegations
Of teachers, were present from Thetford,
COrinth and Newbury, and the counties of
Caledonia and Grafton, N. H., were also
we'll represented. Another feature of the
Institute was the large attendance of per-
sons not engaged in teaching, showing that
an interest and enthusiasm in educational
work pervades Bradford and vicinity. The
estimated average total attendance is about
two hundred and fifty.
The programme was more than carried
out and every speaker was present to re-
spond when called.
Wednesday evening Supt. Edwin
Palmer closely held the attention of the
audience on the Necessity of Liberal
Education" 1t is in the common schools
that the foundation is laid, therefore it is
important that proper and thorough train
ing be furnished early in life Hard work
is necessary to secure an educatiOn but the
end more than cOmpensateS the outlay.
The early training should be such as to in
Spire pupils with a love of country, of
learning, and such as will make broad, lib
eral men and women The men of but one
idea are the ones most dangerous to the
country.
Tuesday morning. after the devotional
exercises, Rev. }. W. Lees in few well
chosen remarks welcomed the teachers to
very pleasing and satisfactory comparison
between the teachers of the present time
and those of his early recOllectiOns.
Supt. Palmer followed with an address.
He spoke of the great necessity for Great
ing early a taste for good reading. This
can only be accomplished by supplying pu-
pills with good literature. Free libraries
should be connected with all the public
schools. The price of cigar from each
taxpayer would supply large proportion
of the districts with many useful books,
and in a few years time, all could be so
supplied. He advocates the use of the
Huntington Fund for this purpose. This
is a matter that should engage the atten-
ton of the next legislature.
Examiner Morris spoke on the subject,
General Exercises" They furnish excel
lent opportunities for training the powers
of observation. creating an interest in
school work, and may become powerful
factors in school government. Such exer-
cises should be pleasant and of such a
character that pupils will be led to investi-
gate and experiment for themselves. OBJ
iect lessons, calisthenic exercises, in short,
almost anything instructive and of proper
nature to be taken into the schOolrOom may
be profitably used. CautiOns-be moderate,
use judgment.
Prin. Fellows of Topsham and Prin.
Locke of Bradford discussed "Teaching
Arithmetic Arithmetic should be made
practical and taught effectively. Too lit
tie attention is given to mental work. 1t is