The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1903-03-06

were benefited by the education they
rad received, the stats would not he
justified IN keeping up such instisu-
tions. Every one in the state is bene-
flied.
The state must go steI lzissr--
must maintain schools for is training
of teachers and for the y ~ Of greaii
scientists whose investigI lions ray
be carried on. We must have Cll1
class Of men If we are to Cal ~ on agri.
culture TO the best advanta ge.
Not all the farm boys will be farm
ers. II they were it wod.d be poor
outlook -or tbs other vacations OF life.
One of the gIeatest glories OF Michi-
gan is that she has seen fit to make
it possible for any farmers boy to 20
through the SCHOOLS almost without
money and without price.
II the time ever comes when poor
mans boy does not have an equal
chance with the rich mans boy In our
educational institutions God have pity
on the state. But this is not the
Michigan idea. No Michigan boy with
the right stuff In him need ever have
the door OF the Agricultural College or
the University closed against him.
applause
At the close of DR.. Angeles address,
Miss Lyon sang very effectively, 'Love
Watcheth Over ALL"
Teachers for the Rural Schools
Paper read by President ]. L. Sny-
der, of the Michigan Agricultural Col
iege, before the institute last evening:
The rural school problem has received
of late, thoughtful consideration not
only by our prominent educators, but
by the thinking citizens of our rural
communities. Various phases of the
problem have been presented and dis
cussed at this meeting. The old district
system which has rendered such valu-
able service in the past, seems to have
outgrown Its usefulness and must give
way to something better. Why parley
over 1.-The Little Red Shcool house"
If, like the grist MILL the carding mill
and the old post Office it has fulfilled its
mission, let it give way to a better
system, one which will better meet the
educational needs of the country chill
dren. While it is very important that
we should have the best organization
possible in order to carry on the admin
istrative part of the educational work,
yet we all recognize the. fact that much
more depends upon the teacher than up
on the organization or the system. "As
is the teacher so is the school," This
old saying was never more true than it
is today when applied to our rural
schools. A thoroughly trained, wide
awake, energetic teacher will conduct
good school anywhere, while the poorly
trained, aimless sort of teacher cannot
do good work under the most favorable
conditions What our country schools
need most of all is trained teachers.
The teacher of the ungraded school, of
all teachers, should have thorough pre-
paration for her work.
The teacher in the graded school can
gain help from her principal or superin-
tendent. There is always someone
ready to point out her short -comings
and suggest RENE dies. She gains help
and inspiration from her associates
The burden of maintaining discipline,
except in her immediate presence, is
born largely by others. In times of
and doubt, there is always
someone to whom she can turn for adj
vice: but the country teacher is shut off
from the rest of the world. She must
a miniature government in
which she becomes the monarchial head.
She must be wise enough to make, in
terpret and execute all the laws neces-
sary for good, wholesome government.
A little too much freedom and the
young American will override auth
)rity, but if the reins are too loosely
lrawn he will just as surely rebel. To
govern wisely requires mature judg-
nent, and not little tact and self-con-
rol. The teacher of the ungraded
school should be able to teach well all
grades. She must be able to do a great
leal of work in small amount of time.
Continued on page7.