The San Francisco call., 1898-03-27

the schools. Meetings should be held If possible in each school district and the topics to come before them should be few and practical, including the general sub- 1 jects of education. but especially the wants of the school district. its weak nesses and its conditions in regard to heating. lighting, ventilating etc
 There might also be short lectures and l papers stimulating the parents. not only In their interest in the school, but also in the studies and in the work of their chi- dren. There should also be arranged and maintained systematic visiting of the schools by the parents: the effect of vis- iting is good on the teachers; the schol- ars feel greater interest in what the tparents show they care for, and the pa- rents can understand the difficulties and ! Sfortcomlngs Of the teachers and of the Perhaps they may see deficiencies in their own children. and possibly. too. they may be led to introspection and reflection touching neglected duties for all of which they may In time come to be duly thank ful:
 These several steps could all be under taken at once. Their effect would be to arouse the board-at each of whose meet lnSs the main organization should. if pos- slole. nave two reDreSentativeS-to the most effective service. and to aid It where IL Soreiy needs help; the parents would gradually be brought to feel a personal responsibility for the schools and they would discuss school policies and progress and the candidates proposed for the board.
 Let me say just this word concerning the DoardS composition: It should have men, and women as well as men, and, above all, 1t should have honesty and pubic spirit and patriotism, and not pot house politics
 As you see, I regard it as fundamental that the people should be aroused to ac- ton. If that is ever possible, now, of all picious; and If there can be organized Intelligent persistent effort, there is, in my opinion, no reason why the schools may not be redeemed from. their present unhappy and demoralized condition and raised to a higher and more efficient level; and In raising them we raise our standards and our ideals, and so raise ourselves"
 CHICO STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
 Carlton. M. Ritter, president of the in Seneca County, N. Y, on September l. 1850, and his boyhood was spent on the beautiful farms that overlook Cayuga Lake. He received his early education in the public schools and academies of the county and at the New York State Nor nal College. Upon his graduation MT. Ritter came to Stockton, Cal, where at the age of 22 he was elected principal of the Lafayette Grammar School In De- cember, 1892. While holding this position he also studied law with Judge Joseph H. Budd, the father of the present Gov ernor and was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court.
 grammar schools of the city. Professor Ritter was elected to a position in the Stockton High School, where he subse- quenly earned the honor of being pro- nounced by Professor Stringham of Berkeley the best high school teacher of mathematics in the State
 After eight years of high school work, MT Ritter became professor of mathe- matics in the State Normal School in on June 25, 1897. he was unanimously elected president by the joint board of normal school trustees. He immediately ty and recasting of the course of study. remaining at his desk throughout the en- tire vacation, and on the opening of the the satisfaction of seeing the largest lumber of new students that had ever en-