Evening times-Republican., 1903-12-28
HIS last ADDRESS
Barrett Has Addressed State
Teachers Association Every
Year for Six Years
GOOD ATTENDANCE PROMISED
IL Will Never, However, be as Large
as in Other Years Because of the
Growing Popularity of the District
Association - Superintendent Bar
rett Returns Thanks to the People.

S''SNs''S SRo'"iisy " S''S S'Ss''S ~
Association - Superintendent Bar
rett Returns Thanks to the People.
Special to Times s-Repub.ican.
| Des Moines, Dec. 2s-The teachers
of the state are already beginning TO
gathee in groups in the city for the
! state teachers association; and the
outlook is for a larger attendance than
last year when very severe weather
reduced the attendance materially,
while it is now certain there VIII be
good weather for the association week.
| But 1t Is regarded as probable that
there will not be in the future as large
attendance at the state association
meetings as in other years. The dis
trict associations are now the most
popular. Teachers have found that
because of the great division of the
work in the state association Into so
sections. they are unable to get the
greatest good out of the program. AT
the district meetings there is differ
ent organization and better oppor-
tunity for every one who attends par
ticipating in the sessions. The attend
ance at the five district association
meetings this year was not far from
nf 4 .,,lJ Jnb to, n
more than the attendance a the state
association has ever BEEN The ad-
dress of the state superintendent to
the association will be delivered on
Wednesday and this will be the last
time the address will be given by Sup
erintendent Barrett. His addresses
, before the associations, one each year
for six years, would make an inter-
esting and valuable book in which is
discussed almost every phase of the
school question. The address this year
will partake somewhat of review of
the progress in recent years in educa-
tional work. The biennial report OF
superintendent Barrett has already
been printed. n the state binder gets
quick action. copies may be in the
hands OF the teachers Before they leave
the city-an unusual occurrence. In
his report. Mr.. Barrett pays his COM
pliments to those who have honored
him by election to the office of state
superintendent and returns his thanks
as follows:
My sincere thanks are extended
without reservation to the people. They
have honorei me with the highest gift
1T
wants of none and the masters of
many They are conservative. and yet
independent and progressive. That
they can make so strong a school sys-
TEN that 1t will be the pride of future
generations is my sincerest belief Dur
ing my term OF office 1t has been my
privilege to speak to them In every
county In the state once, and in many
counties often. The cordially with
which they have cooperated in all the
work of the department, calls from me
an expression Of deepest gratitude"
Concerning his deputy and his office
clerk, Superintendent Barrett in the
report says:
"To Hon. A. c. Ross, who has served
as deputy during almost the entire
period of my incumbency in office,
owe a debt and am under the greatest
obligations. He brought to the office
an experience of nearly twenty years
as city superintendent of Iowa
school. His rich scholarship. know
ledge and experience have proved of
inestimable value in the conduct of the
same. Ir all the work he has proved
himself the very ablest and most court
eous and obliging of officials; always
careful and accurate In details, wise
counselor and advisor-and with all
loyal assistant and sincere friend. His
general oversight of the office and of
affairs pertaining thereto has been of
the highes. order, and / cannot speak
of hi,; iabors in terms too high. Miss
Byrdella Johnson has during two terms
served as stenogra pher and office clerk
with commendable satisfaction. Her
careful work has relieved me of many
duties and she is entitled to this pub
lie testimonial for efficient service
To the teachers and educators of
the state Mr.. Barrett has this closing
word
1T is not easy for me to do justice
In words TO the teachers of the state,
who have held up my hands and en-
coura ged me to bear the burdens of Of
flee by their enthusiastic support and
their words of good cheer If In the
conduct of school affairs beyond the
confines of the office / have been able
to prove myself of assistance to the
great public school interests, great
credit is due to the teachers who have
on every occasion inspired me 10 put
orth the best of lifes activities. If
he discouraged teacher has been en-
outraged. if the heavy hearted has
seen made to rejoice. if the weak has
- en- strengthened, If the pathway of
ife has been made to appear smooth,
he skies brighter and the days hap
Ter by anything l may have said or
one the inspiration for the word or
A came from the encouraging words
helafulness spoken by teachers. To
IA who have been my co-laborers and
I'VE given your strength to promote
e true cause of education, am debt
beyond ability to repay or words to
press. I could not il l would, have
aea YOU from the burdens of the
tooi room, but We're the power mine
would give to each of you added
~eYgth TO bear all of the trials and
overcome all of the difficulties.
ould have have you remember that