The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1906-12-07
TEACHERS SAID 'BESTIHYEAR
THEIR ANNUAL CONVENTION WAS
A HUMMER.
Instruction, Pleasure Sport - an
Mixed to Make the Occasion
One OF SplendOF.

For the first time in the history Of
GoOdland-and perhaps first in edu-
caiOnal zeal-the seventeenth annual
session Of the Northwest Kansas
Teachers association was opened in
the opera house at $3.50 o'clock last
Thursday morning, Thanksgiving day.
The day was prOpiuOuS-WaTm and
beautiful, marking as it did the end
Of fail and the birth OF winter. The
nationwide custom Of Thanksgiving
was here coupled with the annual ce-
Iteration OF nigh ideals in edu"atiOn
among the lea ling factors OF our sTeat
public school system
The teachers OF northwest Kansas
40G strOng-in whose hands a multi
tude Of homes each year entrust the
moral and Intellectual life OF its chill
dren, who Travelled from far and near
for the common good, received the ad-
dress Of welcome by z. T. Murphy Of
this city Mr.. Murphy entertained the
audience 70 serious and amusing
Thought In a brief speech, recalling
Incidents OF his childhood school DAYS
and concluding with words weighted
with the great responsibility Of the
foider for young and growing America
The response was made by Prof =.
Z Rarick OF Plainville, end when ne
was done the annual meeting OF the
teachers was declared to be launched
for business. President r G. Miller
delivered his address, the subject be-
ing ''Earnestness-" And after the in
EsGA140AAs u AAA451C DELHsE EA the DEE-
Vtcus numbers on the program came
one OF the important lectures Of the
convention. The Spirit Of Literature"
~ Dr.. s. H Clark Of the University Of
CT tcagO.
He reversed the ordinary notion
that literature is not practical He
insisted that instead Of being not prac-
ftcal--Eterature was one Of the most
practical accOmpaniments Of human
activity; that it not only aids US in
frrrr 80 z.-HT
strument that lifts a man from the
"'lOwly sphere to the vaulted skies
touches man where he is greatest and
noDlest, and that which directly ele-
Yates him ought to be one Of the most
practical things in the world.
The teachers put an estimate Of
much value on DR.. Clark's talk, which
In point Of actual good advice and
counsel, they considered one Of the
best.
CIark's Recital Of Ulysses.
The star performance Of the con-
ventiOn perhaps fell to the lot Of Dr.
Clark in the evening, who recited
Stephen Phillips romantic drama
Ulysses 1t was the old Greek story
IN new words, holding the 700 people
that filled the opera house, with feel
ings Of love and amazement for the
hero Of Troy and his constant Pene-
lOpe. DR.. Clark did not overdo the
representation, but simply turned his
voice and act to suit the character Yet
he portrayed the parts with exceeding
interest, and unraveIed the nature Of
undying love Of a manly, heroic man
for divine and beautiful woman It
is thing Of beauty and a Joy for
ever" not because DR.. Clark makes it
so, but because the story in a meas
ure is the story Of every courageous
and great hearted soul.
Dr. Clarks recital ended the first
day OF the convention. But afternoon
sessions at 2 o'clock were held in the
Christian and Methodist churches, and
IN the assembly rooms Of the high
school building and the opera house.
At these places, primary, graded and
high school topics were discussed and
also questions relating to the work Of
county superintendent.
This same routine work was car
r1ed through Friday, and the teach
ers reported interesting sessions. Oc-
casiOnally a heated discussion would
arise over some question but that only
added to the enthusiasm