The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-12-07
Second Annual Meeting of County
Educators in ElktOn.
An Interesting and Profitable Session
at Which the interests and
Advancement of the Public
Schools are Discussed.

feioWS nun, Ill Ten u. M, TWO p. m.
and eight p. m. The morning and after
noon sessions were devoted to the consider
alton and discussion of matters pertaining to
school work and the most approved methods
Of teaching while the evening programs
although along educational lines took on
more of n general character and formed a
drawing attraction for the public.
The Institute was IL veritable work-room
for the teachers. There they compared notes
and freely exchanged ideas how to in
sert knowledge through thick skull and
how to best manage the recalritrant bad boy.
Not one essay was read this wear upon
"How to manage school''-and it is there
fore to be inferred that our teachers, and
they are nearly all ladies, ar" now proficient
in that branch Of the service and need
no further instruction. At the last institute
Mr.. Mayo, Il prominent educator of Wash
ington. Icctured upon this attainment, How
to Govern school, and it is to be seen that
his advice has been found practicable and has
been enforced to the letter.
Compared to the last institute held on
January 80. 81 and February 1st 1895, which
was the first Institute held under the present
arrangement, this session shows an improve
meit in many ways and had business like
air which indicates that our educators have an
intelligent appreciation of the purpose of the
meeting and are -nterprising in their pro-
fession.
A prominent figure at the scssion-and one
who contributed in no small part to its success
was Prof L. b. Prettyman, Principal of the
State Normal School, who made several able
addresses upon educational matters and i'm
parted much practical knowledge and advice
to the teachers in their work In one of his
addresses Mr.. Prettyman said that teachers
are likely TO regard themselves ms hard
worked creatures -plodding against big odds
alone and single harded-but here at the in
stitute they find that they are one of many
engaged in II great worl; that has many
pleasant features and its own rewards.
The attendance was very satisfactory there
being but few abs-ntees. At the opening Of
the Institute at ten o'clock on Wednesday
morning one hundred out of Il total of one
hundred and ten teachers were present.
School Commissioners Everist, Ash and
White and School Examiner George Biddlo
We're in constant attendance. Mr.. Everist pre-
siding as permanent president ofthe Institute.
The stage was appropriately decorated in the
national and state colors.
MORNING SESSION.
The exercises of the morning were opened
with prayer by the Rev A. S. Mowbray, fol-
lowed by call Of the roll of teachers. when
one hundred out of one hundred and ten
responded TO their names, each teacher when
called responding with an appropriate quo
tation.
George Biddle, Esq, County School Ex-
aminsr, then delivered a forcible opening
address. Mr.. Biddle said in part:
Again we have assembled for Teachers
Institute. The last one received favorable
comment from every quarter. this l trust will
prove even more profitable.
Its success in a large degree depends,
teachers, upon your work. Throw that life
and enthusiasm into it, which some OF you do
in your school work and success is assured
Is our work appreciated? By the results
you are judged. To it yop can here do much
to call attention. Your aim should ever be
to make better citizens OF our children, to
prepare them for the battle OF life, to teach
freedom of thought, speech and conscience,
loyalty to truth, to the constitution and the
authorities underit. Liberty and law are the
complimentary disks of a full sphere. Teach
our children to love our country as the home
OF free schools, Of u free press and an inde-
pendent judiciary. The only land where the
people are sovereigns.
Here the public school is firmly rooted in
the affections of the people. Here it is, as it
ever should be. free from political or sectarian
influence; be yours the duty to see that every
parent may intrust his child to your care. as
sured that in these respects that they will not
be tampered with. Let nothing como into
our schools that should not receive the full
appreciation of every good citizen. He is
dangerous who would make political foot
ball of them.
The success OF our schools demands that
they shall be enshrined in the hearts of our
people. There is expended in the United
States annually for school purposes about
S15O,0OO,OOO. The average expense per child
in the public schools, by the latest report,
was $17.62. For Cecil county 1924, this in
cludes every expense, new houses and all
incidentals; this immense expenditure can
only be justified by making loyal citizens of
our children and fully preparing them for
the active duties Of life,
Our land is far in advance Of all others, and
right good reason have we to love her. Here
labor receives its greatest reward, here, and
1t is due to the public schools, the bare
footed boy Of tie hovel and the millionaire's
son have an equal chance in the race for life
and happiness Let the American wander
where he my, "his first, best country is ever
at home" The one supreme aim of mans
life is a contented, happy home; this can not
be without virtue. without knowledge, With
out the public school. do not think that /
ever felt happier or prouder, than when few
weeks since standing at our station, / saw the
sold Liberty Bell greeted by some 400 chill