The Newtown bee., 1895-06-07

The spirit of patriotism prevailed in Stepney, last Friday, with renewed ardor, AS it was the day set apart for the raising of the flag over the Lower Stepney sChOolhouse. On the noon train arrived the honored speakers and the Philhar. monic band from Bridgeport, who were entertained by A. B. Curtis and c. L. Smalley. A platform had been erected under the branches of the spreading but ton ball tree, that the hot pouring rays of the sun might be partly shut out, at o'clock about 1000 people has assembled to welcome the speakers and the mem bers of the Long Hill branch of the O. U. A M, as they marched up from the depot dressed in uniform and bearing the flag, l0xl5 feet, they were to present to the school. They kept s6ep to tue music of the band which preceded them.
 In the absence of Dea Burr Hawley, A. B. Curtis had been chosen chairman. The children looked happy, arrayed in white, under the leadership of their teacher, Miss Hattie Sniilin, who had them well trained in singing. They oc- cupied the platform wiCh the speakers and the band. The opening prayer was made by Rev J. B. Merwin, followed by singing of America" w. E. Coan presented the flag to the school in behalf of Parlor Rock council, and appealed to he teachers to bring up the children to become patriotic citizens. We are growing up," said he, under one of the best governments. You may say this country will take care of itself. It is not so. We have got to keep doing. We must become patriotic. We must pro- tect that flag We must educate our children to maintain and support their ideas. We ask you to accept it, not of it's intrinsic value, but because it came from a patriotic body"
 The address In reception of the flag was made by Rev H. w. Jones, who was glad of having the opportunity of mak- ing his first patriotic speech. No word expresses so much meaning as the word "Patriotism." This order is to impart the feeling of patriotism co every Amer ican heart. A true patriot is person who loves his country and protects it at all hazards. No man ought to be. so Occu- pied as to forget his country. You have presented to this district the handsomest flag that;ever floated from pole. l am here to extend to you the heartfelt gratitude of not only the children, but oIthe entire community. The raising of the flag was conducted by Miss Clara Candee, after which the audience hearth ly sang "The Star Spangled Banner"
 Rev Samuel Gurney, in speaking of the. flag unfurled, said it represents the greatest nation on earth. New England is small indeed in comparison with our country. We have 20 states larger than New England. Why, Connecticut is but speck. We have in the West one state 20 times larger than Connecticut. Mon tana could give building lot of 18th of an acre to every man, woman and child ou the globe. California is 10000 square miles larger than Montana and Texas is 107, ,000 square miles larger than California. The great God has laid in a coal mine for us that never can be ex- hausted. We have no titled gentry to control us. We are in free country. Jails and prisons open their doors, and out of every 100 of their inmates 79 of them came to America. We are opening our gates and taking them in to our det- riment. Our educational system needs improving. believe every child ought to attend the public school. The flag is for the protection of the school. What do we mean by the elevation of oar flag :? Shall we stand by 1t?
 Chairman Curtis next read letters of regret from Hon c. H. Platt, Hon Robert E. DeForest.
 Hon William H. Marigold was the next speaker, who spoke in his usual in- teresting and vivacious style. He felt a little timid among so many reverend gentlemen. It does not seem long ago when we celebrated the tooth anniversa- ry of our independence. He believed we were all proud of our country. He be- came quite animated when he spoke of the little speck Rev MT Gurney had re- ferred to. Why" said he, 'sThat little speck did more for our country than any other country ten times as large. Any thing that any man ever did that was worth doing was done by a Connecticut man or the descendants of ConnectI- cut man. Connecticut is synonym for honor, patriotism and right" Follow ing Senator Marigold's excellent address was the singing by the school, "Ihe little red schoolhouse." Miss KiGtie French recited Claiming pension.' z
 Judge l.. NJ. Slade was called next. In his usual witty manner the parson, politician, all got called down alike. He spoke as follows:
 MT President, Ladies and Gentlemen :: The occasion that brings so many people together this afternoon, and around this public school building, demonstrates to my mind, that right here, in this village, may be found both the scholar and the patriot. Public schools are public benefit, as well as private gains, and every one, old and young, who loves his home and country, should strive to maintain the highest grade of public in struction. The State carries with it a large fund of money, more than $2,O00,- GOO dollars, the interest of which is am nuaily expended toward the maintain ance of all the public schools in our com monwealtb. But this fund alone goes but little way toward paying the wa ges of teachers and other necessary ex- penses, and so the people suffer them selves to be taxed in amount sufficient, | to meet all the expenses of good instruc- | tion, in all the public schools, in every town in the state. In this way, then, no one can plead poverty, and say he was deprived of schooling. Only few de- | cades have passed since it was the duty | of the teacher to keep correct record
 of the number of days each scholar at tended school, and the end of the term,
 to make out a correct s'rate bill" against each family, which was collected by the
 committee, before the teacher was paid
 In 1893, the Connecticut Legislature passed law giving to women the righi | to vote in school meetings-always pro | vided they can read and write the Eng fish language. So far, however, bu few women have availed themselves o this privilege, though quite large mum
 Der voted in Bridgeport at the last cleo tion. It yet remains to be seen whethel or not their votes will benefit the youtl
 of the city. The votes of women ougs to promote the best schools, for no ons can take a more careful interest in tn
 child than the mother who gave it birth
 and no one need be more Interested U promote it's welfare than the father
 who, of all others, should throw aroun'
 his child the best and safest iafluencea