The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-31
Robert j. Alley, Bloq0ington-
]. II. TcmIin, Shelly -
FIGHT FOR PRESIDENT.

The session of the nominating committee
developed into desperate fight to beat Van
Matre The Muncie man was put forward
by the county superintendents who are
members of the association. They had not
had a president of the association for SO
long that the memory got confused trying
to recall il. On the other hand 'Tere the
high school men who had no great objec-
tion to Van Matre personally. but who
considered that their claim to be recognized
was the better.
The high school men, through their
friends on the nominating committee,
brought out j. b. Pearcy. principal of the
Anderson High School. to make the race
against Van Matre. III was soon seen that
Pearcy had not the ghost of a show and
that if Van Matre was to be beaten they
would have to concentrate on a more for
midable candidate William Lowe Bryan,
president of Indiana University, was fixed
upon the best candidate possible. and
that the choice was good as could have
been made subsequent events showed.
The county superintendents, however, are
politicians of the first water, with wfes
and ways that the ordinary run of teach
ers know not of. They had laid their wires
was impregnable. When IL came to
''show down and a ballot the vote stood.
Van Matre, z; Bryan. g. Van Matre was
of the superintendents. The high school
men took their defeat gracefully and made
the nomination unanimous.
Mr.. Van Matre is the first president OF
the State Teachers Association chosen
from the ranks of the county superintend-
ents for many years. He is one of the best
known educators of Indiana and exceed
State. He is, comparatively, a young man.
The other officers are almost equally well
known and have been prominent in oh<u
affairs of the association.
A great deal Of interest attached 10 the
selection of the new members OF the Read
ing Circle Board. They are also well known
in state educational circles. Hedgepeth and
Tomlin are well-known teachers and Alley
is professor OF mathematics in Indiana
University.
Mr.. Beveridge's Address.
The session of the association last night
was given over entirely to the address by
Senator Albert j. Beveridge. The senator
preached gospel of lofty patriotism. and
the brilliancy of his speech was almost
forgotten in the note OF seriousness that
sounded from opening To climax. To the
teachers the senator repeated over and over
again that there is one omInous trait Of
American character that must be eradi-
Gated IL the Republic is to live and to con-
tinue great. That trait, In word. as he
expressed il, is lack of thorcughness.
There, he pointed out, although remarking
at the same time that he had no wish to
tell a teacher where his duty lies, Is the
teachers opportunity. To incuicste into
a child single -mindedness of purpose-the
faculty of bringing energies down to a
points the teachers greatest work.
Il regard IL as a great honor to speak
before this body" said Senator Beyeridge
as a prelude. Il regard the teacher as the
great nerve center of thought. and no man
a message to bring. l am not making any
apologies. understand. because 1 hold. with
Bismarck that all apologies are futile.
Deeds are what count. The world has no
time nor no inclination to listen TO a man
that has nothing but apologies and excuses
to bring 10 its attention. The world Is too
busy. Ii will pause moment for achieve
ments and deeds but for little else.
do you know" he continued, that the
impetus toward the serious thought I'm this
Nation Is found I'm the little towns-in the
country? 1 was travelling one occasion
with President Swain. formerly OF our own
Indiana University. and he remarked TO
me. L remember, that when he had an ad-
dress 10 make or an appeal TO make on the
subject of higher education he could always
get a large and thoughtful audience in a
small town, but seldom in a city. The
thought Is significant.
DEFECTS IN AMERICANISM
There are certain defects in our Amer
icanism." the senator went on. that per-
haps need TO be remedied. These defects
are impatience and lace OF thoroughness
We Americans want 10 do everything AZ
once. and to do 1t all In a hurry. 1 mads