The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-06-13

.Ns s.V..se.ve.Ss.ss.VU.V say I preferred the old system of all
 free dinners, with small compensation,
 but no, I still think the place with larger compensation and one free dinner
 thrown in has it's advantages,
 In any position of this sort there are responsibilities and difficulties and
 numerous opportunities for mistakes opportunities which I have neglected.
 But in what American city of 100000 people is the superintendent of schools | free from mistakes, if he does his duty? i Is this the only city where he must have the confidence of his teachers, the peo- pie and the press in order to succeed? As matter of fact, gentlemen, there are perplexities in the office of the su- perntendent of schools everywhere. Some are peculiar to New Haven, it is true, but I assure you that they are present everywhere.
 | The schools are the most important
 public institutions in the community, | they are certainly the largest. If this is so they must necessarily be the most | expensive if they are efficient. Good schools cost money. How far, however,
 city can go in the free education of
 it's young people is a question l will
 not discuss. It is a question that re- quires the most enlightened thought. But whatever is spent I will say this: The money that is spent should be ex-
 pended in employing only the best teachers. The methods of the schools must also be enlightened and in accord 4l.a al h,,i1 iy,o must be attractive, clear and well light ed These are demands that are recog- nized everywhere. Here in New Haven I am glad to say the board of educa-
 ton has been able to reduce the num- Der of pupils to a teacher and 1 sin cerely trust the work will go on. You have now the high school problem. The number of pupils asking for admission to the high school here and everywhere is constantly increasing. And let me say that the better your primary schools the greater will be the number
 The two are closely connected and cannot be divided. Therefore I hope that it will not be long before New Ha- ven rejoices in the possession of a new and well equipped high school build
 insa.
 Gentlemen this is not the first favor you have conferred on me. If the schools are little better than when l took hold of them it is because of other reasons. First in regard to the board of education. If there is anything wrong at present with the school sys- tenn it is not the fault of the board of education. No member that I had any 1o rI;+1, hoe hoI tp grind, and not one ever asked the su- perintendent to do thing that was not for the benefit of the schools and the public. It Is to the credit of New Ha- ven that it's board is composed of men who come from among the very best citizens and who have their eyes con- stantly on the alert for what is best for their schools. And your teachers, gen. tlemen, I can truthfully say that doubt if in any city there are a better class of teachers to be found than the 400 or 300 appointed and confirmed by the board last Friday night. Gentle men, I am also indebted to the press for the many favors shown me. To be sure the administration about to close has been criticised somewhat. But no superintendent can find fault with just and honest criticism. And I want to speak of the relation between the university and the teacher. The teach- ers' courses and other instances of in- terest on the part of the university au- thoritieS have been very encouraging to the teachers It is my regret that now that President Hadley has been elected l am not to have the opportunity to a9- sist in still greater cooperation. Again of the normal school, presided over by Principal Merrill. I believe you all agree with me when I say that I think it is better for the state to train the teachers than the city.
 Gentlemen, let me say in closing that these have been exceedingly happy and enjoyable years both officially and pri- vately It is pleasure in itself to live in the university atmosphere of New Haven. And, gentlemen, I shall carry with me the fondest recollections. To the school system I wish the greatest success. Gentlemen, not in the way of compliment at all, I am sincere when l | say that l think the Board of education has made the Wisest choice possible in selecting, from list of candidates ex- tending from Main to California, Prin- | Cipal Beede.
 Chairman Martin next introduced the | Hon. Lynde Harrison, who spoke brief ly as follows; New Haven's loss is the gain of Indianapolis I have been lis tening to MT. kendall's experiences with great interest and l can assure