Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-03

lue uISt speaker ne called upon WAS
Rev. J. w. Potter, who spoke in his
usual earnest and forceful manner. He
stated that he wanted to see good
teachers in the schools, teachers who
know something, teachers who have
common sense. He did not want a
child's mind simply crammed with
knowledge, but; wanted the child's
mind and soul educated. He wanted
the children governed and thought the
parents should help the teacher in the
matters of government.
The next speaker was Mrs. w. H.Mc
Achran, who spoke briefly on the idea
of the parents standing by the teach
ers, and that the teachers should not
be too severely criticised and that they
should at all times be made to feel
that the parents We're the power be-
hind the throne to aid and assist them
in their work.
w. I. Deupree was then called upon
and responded with some practical
suggestions. He said that the people
would stand taxation for the support
of the common schools with better
grace than for any other object He
believed that no teacher should be en-
ployed who does not have a profound
reverence for God and the bible.
Mrs. Della Sewers then spoke for a
few minutes offering many practical
and helpful suggestions in regard to ed
ucating children. AS Mrs. Sewers was
for some years a successful teacher IN
the public schools, her remarks were
much appreciated. She said that the
child nature must be trained into the
mature character; that the parent is
the God given guardian of the child;
that the acorn is planted for the oak
tree, and not a pebble. But it seems
that there is something wrong. For
every acorn that grows, there are doz-
ems tramped upon, else why were there
not more graduates from our public
schools? One trouble with the school
work is that there is too often lack
of personal work. A teacher with a
large class has but little time for in
dividual work. The speaker thought
it would be good plan to have a
teacher at large who could do person
al work, and help the tagging student.
The parents should visit the schools
often, for they can not really tell what
the children are accomplishing by 60
ing in only occasionally to some public
program, and the children are on dress
parade and prepared to do their best.
Attorney John r. Scarborough was
then called upon and spoke earnestly
of some things needed in our public
schools. He said men should be elect
ed to serve upon the school board who
would devote some thought and at
tention to the needs of the school. Good
buildings, good appliances, plenty of
light and air were needed. He express
ed himself as being ashamed of our
public school building and was in fay
or of a change. He said children
should never be punished in a fit of
anger, but if punished at all, should
be given to understand fully why they
were punished Boys should not be al
lowed to quit school to earn money.
Rev. j. c. Wilson then made short
but interesting talk. He thought the
main thing in the school teaching was
to develop character Thought it i'm
portant that the parents should take
an interest in what their children were
doing in school.
The meeting was then thrown open
for general discussion. Mrs. E. Romin-
ger, w. M. Wray and Mrs. Clayton
spoke briefly. Mrs. o. D. Wray Mrs
C. D. Fortune, Mrs. w. J. Steckel, and
Mrs. w. B. Stark favored the organiza-
ton of woman's club to agitate the
question of a new school building. A
motion to that effect was made and
seconded, and upon vote being TAX
en-, prevailed. Mrs. w. B. Stark was
then made president of the club, and
Mrs. Will Steckel. secretary. Tuesday
February 8, was named as the date of
the next meeting to perfect the organi-
cation, and adopt measures. This
meeting will also be held at the public
school building.