Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1901-05-29

by County Superintendent Miss Elsie
Perry of Cresco, in clever original
poem. Supt. l.. E. A. Ling, of Crescc
as president of the association then
delivered his address. The principal
speaker of the evening, Pres. G. E.
MacLean, of the State University,
was then introduced and delivered his
address on "America's Uncommon
Common Schools DR.. MacLean is
an impressive speaker, easily secures
the attention of his audience and is a
master in the use of the English
language. His address was listened to
attentively by the large audience pre-
sent. The main gist of his talk was a
plea for the State University, showing
what it has done and is doing, telling
what it has been to the state of Iowa
and proving by this that the taxation
IF the many for the benefit of the few
who take advantage of the university
has been lasting benefit for the peo-
pie of the state and will be more so in
the future. DIR. MacLean made many
friends while in the city and has left
the impression that Iowa has at the
head of her university a man who will
build up university which will be in
ferior to none in the middle west.
The instrumental duet during the
evening by Messrs Groves and Hill
deserves special mention.
One of the most pleasing parts of the
entire convention was its social feature.
After the lecture the Decorah
teachers gave banquet to the visiting
teachers at Steyer's opera house. This
was served unusually well by the
ladies of the Library Association.
With Prof. q. A. Oliver as toast
master an interesting program of toasts
was carried out. Pres. Laur Larsen
toasted the college" to the common
school educator, Supt. Finch, of West
Union, told of the different kinds of
Cranks; Prof. d. L. Gramns of Lime
Springs handled the delicate subject of
the Kicker" Supt. III. l.. Adams
showed the different uses of "Mellin's
Food,n and A. F. Anundsen closed in
a happy manner with a toast to the
'fYoung Hopeful" The music during
the evening added much to the enjoy
ment of the occasion. The DecOrah
string orchestra during the evening
furnished q number of well rendered
selections. The Luther College band
again played several selections which
elected well merited applause. The
ladies quartette which had been so
we'll received in the afternoon again
delighted the banqueters, and sang
even better than before. Mr.. Burton
Adams appeared in solo and gave
the visiting teachers an opportunity to
hear his magnificent voice. His efforts
brought a storm of applause and he
graciously responded with an encore
number.
The program Saturday at the High
School building was professional in its
nature. 1t was most interesting and
instructive and brought out many in
teresting discussions. The paper by
Miss Aida Tate, of Cresco, on "Pro-
gress in Manual Training" showed
careful study and brought out many
points in favor of this branch of school
work. Mrs. Hannah Boole, of West
Union, read a most interesting paper
on Rearing Girl" This was one of
the best papers of the entire meeting
Many other topics of interest were also
discussed. In the afternoon the topic
taken up was rural school consolida-
tion. The.drift of the papers read and
the discussion following showed that
the majority of the teachers present
were in favor of making the township
the unit and as far as practical consoli-
date the rural districts.
The attendance was good up to the
closing sessions and the meeting was
one of profit and inspiration to all who
The following officers were
elected for the ensuing year:
President--Supt. E. l.. Coffeen, De-
corah. Secretary-Miss Carrie Barden,
Waukon. Treasurer-Co. Supt. Elsie
Perry, Cresco: Member of executive
Co. Supt. H. l.. Adams,
West Union.
The following resolutions were
passed by the local committee:
WHEREAS, the Big Five Teachers
Association held in the city of De-
corah Friday and Saturday, Nav oath
and 25th was success,
BE 1T RESOLVED by the teachers ofl
Decorah,
That we accord our thanks to the
citizens of Decorah who so generously |
opened their homes for the entertain |
ment of the visiting teachers and in
many other ways aided materially in
the success of the meeting,
That we express our appreciation to
those who so kindly contributed to the
musical features of the various meet