Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-05
TEACHERS AT MIDDLEToWN.
Opening Exercises of the County
Teachers institute.


Organization In the MorninE-A Rare Treat
in the Afternoon When Prof. houck De-
livcred His Address--A Large Attendance
nf Educators.
Stan corr.spondence Of Gazette and journal.
Middletown, Dec. 4.-The 2lst an
nual session of the New Castle County
Teachers Institute tconvened in the
Opera House here at 10. 30 o'clock yes
terday morning with large number
of school marms and the usual quota
OF visitors in attendance. All the
mornilg trains brought the educators
into town, andEeven the afternoon trains
brought, some of the stragglers, which
have been found at almost every ses-
sion yet held. To the qualification of
Supt. Smith the late Corners were very
few this time, for most of the teachers
were present at the morning session.
BY the way, Supt. Smith bas adopted
an novel and effective plan Of requiring
the attendance of the teachers at the
different sessions, for heretofore a
teacher might fail to attend several
sessions, and the directors Of her school
would mover be any the wiser Mr..
Smith provides each teacher with a
card, filled out with her name and
address, and her attendance at the
different sessions is noted by some one
at the door punching certain place
on the card. AT the close of the ses-
sion these cards are delivered to the
superintendent, who in turn mails them
to the directors of the school taught, by
the owner of the card This plan is
approved by all the teachers, and is
something entirely new. The result OF
the plan may readily be seen.
1t was but very little after the hour
of 1910 yesterday morning1 when the
invocation was asked by Rev F. II.
Moore. Organization was effected by
naming Prof E.pC. Mote chairman
and Miss Amy r. Pieer secretary.
Miss Mary Crime was chosen assistant
secrtary. The teachers were welcomed
to Middletown in very neat address
by Rev. /. l. Wood, pastor Of the M.
e. Church. Prof. Henry Houck OF
Harrisburg, Pa, responded. Prof.
Houck is one Of the most popular
speakers who has ever addressed the
previous sessions Of the institute, and
also proves, if possible, more entertain
ing each year. He gave 10 minutes
address. DIR. Byron w. King of Pitts
burg entertained the assembly for over
half an hour before adjournment, and
completely captivated his hearers by
rendering one of the selections OF
that famous Hoosier poet, James
Whitcomb Riley. 1t was but little
after tho noon hour when the morning
session adjourned.
Institute convened at o'clock in the
afternoon, and it was rare treat which
the teachers and visitors had awaiting
them in the way of entertainment.
Prof. Houcs made the first address
and was, aside from being very witty
and entertaining, exceedingly instruc-
tive. He is very entertaining speaker,
and thoroughly versed in school work.
In the course of his morning talk be
advised all the teachers TO try and look
like school teachers, and il in the
course of five years they found they
couldn't do this, to get out Of the busi
ness. His afternoon talk related to
school work, and some excellent points
were brought out. DIR. Byron W. King,
who, by the way, is new figure at
the New Castle Institute, followed
Prof, Hqpck in very able talk on
DR.. King also spoke on Languages
during the afternoon, and before ad-
journment Prof. Houck gave another
short address. The afternoon session
was particularly interesting, and Supt.
Smith has the thanks OF every teacher
present for securing such very enter
tanning instructors as these two proved
| to be.
There was large audience present
| in the evening to hear DIR. George
Thomas Bowling lecture on Bringing
Up a Parent in the Way He Should
Co." The Speaker handled his sub
ject with rare ability and made some
telling points as to the proper training
Of children. AS lecturer DR.. Bowling
has pleasing address and fine voice.
His address was replete with bright
thoughts and wise sayings, and the
audience was we'll pleased.