The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-11-07
TALKED FOOTBALL
Teachers Think the Game
Needs Restriction.
City and County Superintendent Take
Action on the Subject Southern
Minnesota Teachers Meet.

Football was subject under consid-
Grafton at the executive session of the
city and county superintendent of
southern Minnesota. held in the
library of the normal school Thursday
evening. Twenty-Five superintendent
and five or SIX county superintendent
were present, and Supt. E. B. Uline
of this city was chosen to preside.
Athletics was subject that was
discussed at some length and with a
good deal of interest. Football was
talked about more than any other one
form of athletics. and some dissatis-
faction was expressed with the way
the game is being played by the. stu
dents of high schools, on account of
the accidents happening and the strife
aroused between schools. Several even
went so far as to advocate prohibiting
indulgence in the game entirely, but
this extreme view did not meet with
general favor. 1t seemed to be the
general feeling that the game is not
properly controlled by the teachers,
end that it does not benefit enough of
the students. 1t was thought that the
way in which it is being played leads
to professionalism. Where not check
ed. there is an OVERRIDING of the sport.
1t was felt by the meeting that
athletics should be organized in all
departments of the schools, and that
they should be made to reach those
who most have a need for such a
training. This football and base ball
do not do.
The chairman was instructed to ap-
point committee of fiveto present re-
solution on this subject from the South
ern Minnesota Teachers association to
the Minnesota Educational association,
be enforced to the effect that the rules
of the latter and additional rules be
adopted. This committee consists of
superintendent ]. A Thorson of Ma
della, chairman, Secretary Swift of
Tracy, g. A. Franklin of Faribault,
E. M. Phillips of Albert Lea and A.
j. Jones of Redwood Falls.
Another subject discussed was "The
Qualifications of District School Child
rem for the High School Z" This was
also freely discussed. The general
EXPIRE sion was that this was a matter
that should be- left with the county
superintendent and high school prin-
cipals of each county to always work
together according to an understand
ing they had.
The Teachers Convention.
The teachers of southern Minnesota
have gathered here in large numbers
TO attend their annual meeting. They
spent the forenoon in visiting the city
schools and the normal school and in
renewing their acquaintance with one
another.
This afternoon session of the con-
vention was held when the teachers
discussed the questions of Athletics
and "Self government in the School
Room" Superintendent Bright of
Chicago also gave an interesting talk
and there was music by public school
pupils under the direction of Miss
Pitcher, and by the. Cecilian CLUB of
the normal school.
This evening there will be stere-
opticon lecture by Superintendent
Bright on "Some Problems of the
Country School. (" This lecture has
been heard by some of the superin-
tendents present, and they pronounce
it exceedingly fine not only to school
men, but to the generatpublic. All are
cordially invited to come and hear
Mr.. Bright. The lecture will be fol-
lowed by reception to the visiting
teachers In the library.
Tomorrow forenoon the teachers
will meet to discuss the subject of
"Waste in the Upper Grades" and
Miss Phelan of the st. Paul Training
school will speak on Constructive
Work in the Grades
All sessions are open to the public.
Superintendent Ralph 81. Burns Of
st. James is presiding over the ses-
sions of the convention. Superinten-
dent Schmidt of Albert Lea was elected
president year ago, but resigned
when he gave up the teaching profess
sion to enter the book business. The
chairman of the executive committee.
superintendent s. J. Race of Redwood
Falls, also gave up that Office on &C.
count of lack of time. The line of
succession then fell upon Superinten-
dent Burns, member of the executive
committee, the association having no
vice president.