The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1896-12-05
The Institute at Laurel Point That
Didn't loot.

LAUREL PofNT, Nov. ga few
teachers assembled at this place last
Saturday to hold the institute which
had been arranged by the committee
and well advertised in both county
papers; but owing to the scarcity of
their number and lack of a quorum,
decided to postpone part of their af-
ternoon program until night and the
remainder indefinitely. The weather
in the afternoon spoke for itself; but
the majority of the teachers of Grant
were comparatively silent. The recent
election, however, spoke volumes
against the interest of the teacher as
the levy of this district was voted
down by those persons who are dissat-
isfied with that part of the new text
book law relating TO repositories; and
the teacher should have felt that 1t
had become accordant with his inter-
ests to explain the advantages and the
concomitant and insignificant disad-
vatages of said Lave TO those who have
an aversion to il, or else try TO gain
some of that wisdom derived from
multitude of counsel that would help
them to unity their efforts in good
cause. The taxpayers should know
that the increase of levy this year was
due TO the creation Of permanent fund
to keep the books in stock that no one
should suffer loss by an Investment in
a surplus stock of text books to the
profit of the publishing house, as it
occurs when so many persons are al
lowed to buy and sell them; and that
this same fund will be used again next
year, and each year as long as the law
exists, and is safe as the depository is
held responsible under heavy bond for
the amount; that there will be no in
crease but decrease of tax~Eext year
to what 1t WAS before this law and
that this fund will be put to his cred
it whenever the law becomes void
There are many other things in this
law in which the teachers by the help
of one another should have posted
themselves Saturday afternoon, that
they should have been able to edify
the people In the night session and
prevent the afternoon program from
being carried forward to the night sese
sion and precluding that all-important
debate by anticipation of failure
through defective preparation. The
night session was opened with prayer
by Rev. LOUIS Snyder. Fisher broth
ers' string band which rendered excel
lent selections during the session gave
many of their auditors new lease Of
life, it is believed Quotations by
teachers and others were very good;
but lack of space forbids the inspira-
tion of many.
The Laurel Point school deserves
much credit for the many excellent
recitations furnished; also those who
were on the program and performed.
The advantages of the district insti-
tute was discussed by President T. l..
Brand and Supt. Waters.
Supt. Waters is certainly enthusiasts
tic in institute work or he would not
have attended and taken such an ac-
tive part in this one when not on the
program.
School organization was discussed
by Charts Morris and Jesse Henry.
Many important points were brought
out in the course of the discussion.
1t was advocated by few that it
was against human nature to follow
the manual exactly. Substitution of
district Institutes was discussed by w.
B. Thorn and Elroy Henry. The
teachers seem to be very much in ia
vor of it. Our Superintendent informs
the institute that our representative
elect in the legislature desires district
institutes to pass resolutions in favor
olutions will be passed and sent to him
in due time, and hope that he will
succeed in persuading the legislatures
to enact law requiring compulsory
attendance at district institutes. Du-
ties Of the patrons to the school was
ably and enthusiastically discussed by
Rev. w. A. Loar and j. r. Hall. Rev.
Loar handled this subject without
gloves, and we believe that there is no
patron that deserves greater commen-
dation for acknowledging the truth
and concluding it in such noble senti-
ments.
The building of character was dis
cussed by Miss Alice Bailey in a very
considerate manner, showing thor
ough preparation on the subject. I'm
portance Of literary work in the school
was discussed by S. r. Fisher.
Sup't Waters advised the use of
supplementary reading. Debate on
the new school law question was post
poned till the next meeting at Gran
vile on the first Saturday in Deem
ber The President appointed Mrs
Dora Homer, Charles Morris and
Stephen r. Davis as a committee to
arrange the next program.
r. H. MORGAN, Secy.