Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-07-09
Report OF the Middlessx School CAe-
bration Of July 4th.

This dilspidated old building where tn
picnic was held is located along the Butle
plank road above Glade Mills, and wa
used fifty years ago, ueed as school mouse
it has been remodeled since then and Ii =
the present dag used for dwelling house
| One OF the encouraging features that
have to report of this picnic is the steadily
| increasing interest on the part OF almos
| everybody, the interes. manifested at thl
meeting was phenomenal. The lack Of al
audience was at one time, the great draw
back To local celebrations, few peoPl'
| would assemble, and without any regula
/ ou time of work, put in the time and thei
go houe, having received very little bene'
/ fit from the meeting. But now, how
changed ia the order Of things in this par
4 ticular, people came miles TO attend tni
local educational gathering, and as rul'
| all took some part in the celebration, no
only did lawyers and ministers and ousl
ue,s men patronize this meeting, but be
Ca ne enthusiastic and entered into tA'
discussion OF educational questions, con
| sequently making the work OF the daJ 80
| operative and impressive between patroni
and the leading speakers Of the occasion.
| Mr.. Simeon Nixon of Butler, favored III
with good speech. The following Is Oh
| abstract of his remarks.
4
| here has been decided improvement IL
| scholarship end professional qualifications
| Of our teaching force during the last nifty
years, hence elevating the young genera
| lions up to higher plane OF culture, man
| hood, truth. sincerity and industry, on
tho whole look upon our teachers Witt
| pride, they are ambitious, honest and
capable. bearing their discouragements,
and are misunderstood by the pn6hc and
| they fail to receive the encouragement and
| support which they have right to expect
/ Citizens, whether patrons Of the schools oI
| not, you have a duty 10 perform toward
| the schools, the responsibility OF winch
| you cannot evsde. To encourage them by
| y0ur occasional presence and to commend
their good features.
In conclusion permit me to say that
With such an efficient educational system.
with so many public spirited and self
sacrifising directors, striving 10 further the
best interests of the schools, that the out
l,ok TOR our schools il very bright
Tho speaking of the day was discontinu-
ed until after dinner, all proceeding in par
taking of the bounteOus and abundant
supply Of provisions which the people OF
this vicinity and the adjoining districts
were instrumental in preparing Tor tins
eveuL
Efward Bartlcy of Mlddlesex twp also
favored us with very appropriate speech
He ~ ke about AZ follows: Never befo re
in the history of Butler county have been
permitted TO spend dag st an education
al nee ting that | appreciated 70 highly as
I did ibis one. The many suggestions and
the Information obtained a. this meeting
along the school line during tho school days
of our old pioneers when they attended
rchno in this old building, will leave an
impression upon the minds.of those present
at thi. meeting altogether indellible and
which time even itself cannot edace.
Again rllow me to express that tho socia-
baity which we all manifested toward each
other an this occasion ia long TO be re-
membsrsd. In conclusion allow me to
thank yea Tor your undivided attention and
your kind hospitality.
Tho last speaker was John C.Logan who
said hat Simon Nixon and everybody who
participated in this celebration were on
titled TO much credit for the active part
they took in tho meeting and for the inter
est and enthusiasm they awakened IN tho
community in which il was held. He be-
lieves that if the people had moro orgsni
cations OF this kind througout the country
than they have had that there would be
greater progress and more rapid growth
in popular education and that the people
would recognize q more thorough and gen
uine belief in the value of education to tho
individual and the nation. XXX.