Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-06
EXCELLENT ADDRESS
Richard g. Barrett Speaks to Wa
pello County Teachers,
FAyORS PROGRESS IN ALL THINGS
State Superintendent of Public In
struction Gives Useful Advice and
Valuable Information Says Iowa
Teachers Are Poorly Paid.
LFrom Fridays Daily.l

lFrom Fridays Daily.l
Richard G. Barrett, state superin-
tendent of instruction, delivered
most pleasing address at the First
Methodist Episcopal church last even
ing, to the teachers who are in attend
ance at the Wapello county normal
Institution. MI Barrett had spoken
in Ottumwa on previous similar occa-
sions, and last evening, although the
heat and counter attractions had the
effect of drawing some away from the
church, there was nevertheless a good
attendance, and II is safe to say that
no one who heard Mr.. Barrett regret
ted his choice of entertainment for the
evening.
A Popular Official.
Mr.. Barrett has proved himself one
of the most able state superintendent
of public instruction Iowa has ever
had, and that he is decided favorite
among those interested in educational
work may be seen at a glance. The
reason for this leaning in Mr.. Bar
rett's favor is that he is thoroughly
conversant with his work and is a
thorough gentleman. The feeling of
he delivers an address. All the bene-
fit of his years of experience as an in
structor of the American youth, all his
personal education, all the pride that
he feels in the high standing of Iowa
and its educational institutions, are
given full sway in his addresses to
teachers.
The Gospel of Progress.
Last evening Mr.. Barrett's subject
was THE Gospel of Progress" This
was treated in s,rch' a manner that no
one in the audience could fail to be
impressed and aided by it. He told of
the success when has come to those
who have been, at the start, almost
destitute of this worlds goods but pos
sessing the one trait, ambition, or the
spirit of progress.
The Program.
Before Mr.. Barrett arrived, Harry P
Gilbert, the organist at the church
played very pleasing organ volunta
ry, which was well received by the au
dience. Beniah Dimmitt, county SUI
perintendent of schools, was in charge
of the program, which was opened
with wen rendered solo by Miss Har
riett Carton, instructor in music il
the Des Monies public schools, ant
who is also in charge of the music
classes at the Wapello county institut,
this year, .-Mr..;DinfInitt next intro
duced State Superintendent Barrett
who was enthusiastically received b,
the audience. .-.......,,.--.t
A Productive Region.
nthe beginning, Mr.. Barrett spoke o
Iowa and its possibilities. He citeC
this state as the most productive re
gio1 in the whole world, distric
from which products amounting to
quarter of billion of dollars are sc
cured annually. Then, as an example
of the benefits of progress, he cite,
the fact that without her railroads
Iowa would be in deplorable condi
ton, for. although the state produce
abundantly, without railroads Their
would be no means of transporting tn
products out of the state to the maj
kets of the world. He pictured tn
condition without railroads, and sal
that if every inhabitant of the stat
hauled ton of the produce to Chicag
or any other market, each one woul
HaNS W MANI seReidl lflpS W Carl
! away the annual product
First Great Step.
Continuing, Mr.. Barrett said: ''W
enjoy the citizenship of the grea
state of Iowa, but often we forget tn
trials and the successive steps whic
make it possible. If We trace back i
history to that memorable day on til
banks of the Thames. when King job
of England. was forced by his peopl
to sign that great document of fire,
Eos nm ~ EMmuup