Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-08-17
ONE WEEK.
The Most Successful and Largely At
tended Teachers Institute Held
in Belmont County.

which ended Saturday, was the most sue
cessful ever held in the county. There
were few dissenting voices to this con
clusion, but out of the 179 teachers only
two or three voted for other than a one
week session next next year. The three
lecturers, who are all at the top in the
profession of teaching, worked faithfully
and gave the Institute the very best that
years of varied experience, profound
study, and high capacity have enabled
them to acquire. These gentlemen have
all worked their way from the ranks, no
one of theui having exceptional advaI
tages in youth, and they present to teach
ers living examples of the pronounced
success that may be attained by work.
They are men, too, of high ideals, work
ing for the sake of the culture as well as
the money they make. And by the way,
the amounts received by them show that
high standard pays well.
Wednesday noon Prof. Waters, at the
special request of many of his friends,
who remember the profit of his teaching,
gave the public address in the Court
house. He spoke on getting at the top,
emphasized the fact that such thing is
possible for every energetic worker, and
showed some of the steps toward such a
desirable end.
Wednesday night Prof Ballet lectured
to large audience on "'Tis Way We
Have" The Professor went deep into
the subject of habit, showing physiolOgi-
cally just how habits are formed, what
part the brain and the spinal cord per-
form and explaining the act of unconsci-
GUS cerebration. On the basis of habit
he explained all acts. Thought is re-
suit of it; it is the daemon of Socrates,
the muse of the poets. Taste, art, poll
tics depend largely upon it. He ad-
vised that habit in matters of opinion be
fought against. The man who has fixed
and settled ideas is mentally atrophled.
The great man is the one, who like Glad
stone, is able in old age to change his
ideas when the truth is presented to his
mind. He is not the slave of habit.
State School Commissioner Corson was
present Thursday, and addressed the In
stitute, reviewing recent and proposed
legislation in regard to schools. He ad-
vised that law be not condemned en-
tirely because of few weak points, but
that it be given fair trial and its weak
nesses found out and remedied. He
thought that there are some provisions
in the Workman law that may be i'm
proved by change, but that the main idea
is right. The Boxwell law he commend
ed. The plan of uniform examination
throughout the State, he said was ILL.,
advised, because it put the entire State at
the mercy of the most incompetent board
of examiners in it. The oft-reiterated
complaint of teachers that they have not
the same privileges accorded other pro-
fessiOns in that they are subjected to
frequent examinations, he thought badly
grounded, for teachers are not like physi
clans and lawyers compelled to study
two and three years before beginning
work.
Thursday evening the lectures we're
free and the house was filled. The terse,
practical talks of Drs Ballet and Boone
were well rounded out by Prof. Houck,
who told a number of stories which both
illustrated his points and kept the audi
ence in roar of laughter. Mr.. Houck
never loses an opportunity of exalting
and strengthening feelings of patriotism,
and his talk was appropriately ended by
his seizing and waving flag and reciting
an exquisite little poem on the Stars and
Stripes. Mrs. Woolery sang a number
of wellappreciated songs.
Friday night large number of teach
ers and townspeopIe gathered in the
School Hall for farewell social. Ev-
cry one had become acquainted during
the week, and SO every one had good
time. Recita ions by Miss Burlington,
of st. Clairsvilie, and Miss Wright, of
Belmont, added to the evenings enjoy
ment
This Institute may fairly claim the
largest attendance of teachers of any ever
held in the county. At Barnesville there
was one year larger enrolment, but it
was made up largely of high school pu-
pills. Also, during the latter part of the
week here there were score or more
of teachers who attended the lectures,
but whose names were not upon the rolls.
Altogether the one week plan, with the
highest grade lecturers, has proven sue
cessful, and to attain even greater sue
cess next year, it is necessary that the
officers elected begin at an early date to
work up an interest, and to go about the
work of selecting and securing the best
talent possible for instructors.
At the election Friday the following
officers were chosen for the coming year:
President, j. G. Bethel, Flushing; Sec
retary, Miss Laura McKeene, Demos.
Executive Committee-Chairman, J.C.
Archer, Vallonia; Secretary, w. d. POr
terfeld, Warnock; Treasurer, George Ros
sitter, ST. Clairsville.
From the report of j. D. Miller, Chair
man of the Executive Committee, the fol-
lowing facts are taken:
Number enrolled l79; ladies SO, gentle
men SO; average daily attendance $50.
| RECEIPTS.
From Institute fuEd in county treasury s. AIS 81
From enrolment fees Northumberland 1853 90
From other sources es..................... 40 50
Total. .-..............-......-..S 636 O
| EXPENDITURES.
Paid DR.. Ballet, lecturer, $50 90