Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-12-03
SCHOOLS WELL REPRESENTED
Many Teachers and School Officers
Attend Annual Institute for
Polk County.

teachers being enrolled. On the corps
Of instructors were numbered some o.
the most eminent educators in the
state, and each OF them handled the
subject assigned to him with mos
consummate skill, presenting it clearly
and concisely in manner most profit.
able to his listeners.
L, r. Traver, of Monmouth, pre-.
sented the subject of Reading" in a
practical and interesting light, and
his talk on School Management" was
of great value to teachers.
During the Institute and Conven-
tion State Superintendent J. H. Acker-
man delivered several addresses, all
breathing the intense and practical
earnestness Of his progressive nature,
and all containing many new and
excellent plans for the furtherance of
educational work.
Professor S. W. Redway, author of
"Redway's Geography" the standard
text book In this state, substituted
Superintendent r. F. Robinson's ad-
dresses on Language and Compost
tion" with lectures on Geography" "
Professor Redway is thoroughly
conversant with his subject and his
hints on the study and teaching of
geography were exceedingly interest
ing,
President Ressler, of Monmouth,
spoke in behalf of his school, and
briefly outlined the shorter course in
methods" which is to be given at the
State Normal during the spring term.
Superintendent r. F. Robinson, Presi-
dent Of the Western Division of the
State Teachers Association delivered
short address in behalf of the State
Institute to be held at Eugene next
year, securing thirty new members
for the association he represents from
among the teachers present at this
institute.
The musical portion of Fridays
program was supplied by the Mon
mouth Quartette, consisting of Profess
sors Ressler, Traver, Pettys and
Powell. These gentlemen are all
trained singers, and each of their
songs received hearty applause which
was indeed we'll deserved.
DR.. J. Whitcomb Brougher lectured
Friday evening to crowded house,
on 'The Chief idea in Education"
and his brilliant address, teeming
with valuable thought, and rich in
subtle humor, brought to a fitting
close the first day Of the Institute.
The School Officers Convention,
Saturday, was complete success,
spirit Of hearty cooperation and
intense enthusiasm characterizing the
entire session. Representatives from
the school boards of every district in
Polk County were present Often the
entire board came in a body. One of
the directors from Grand Ronde, an
Indian, was 80 anxious to attend the
that he walked from his
farm to Dallas, distance Of 25 miles.
G. W. Myer, President of the Polk
County School Officers Association,
opened the program with a short and
earnest address, craving the active
assistance Of every member, and offer
ing several valuable suggestions for
the days work.
L. R. Traver, @. L. Hawley, Super
intendent J. H. Ackerman, Hon. B. F.
Jones and Superintendent r. F. Rob
inson all spoke briefly and pointedly
on topics Of primary interest to the
their addresses being
Interpolated by timely discussions
and questions from the teachers and |
directors in the audience. @. L. Starr,
Secretary of the State Board of |
Regents, spoke on the purpose of the
School Officers Convention, pointing
with pride to the influence the Polk |
County Association had already had |
upon school Legislation in Oregon,
and prophesying even greater achieve
ments in4future.
At three o'clock Saturday afternoon
the Association turned its attention to
the election OF officers and the passage
Of various resolutions.
@. L. Hawley was elected to the
Of the Association, and
County School Superintendent H. G.
Seymour, to whose earnest and
labors much of the sue
cess is due, was chosen secretary for
the coming year.
A resolution was passed endorsing
The School Children's Industrial Fair,
aud urging every director and teacher
10 work for the cooperation Of parents
and pupils in the preparations for the
.hird annual session Of the Fair.
1t was also resolved to recommend
% the next Legislature that a bill be
passed, making the county clerk
Of the funds of all the sch hool
districts in his county. The County
school Superintendent was instructed
o appoint a committee Of five to secure
he assistance Of the various county
delegations for the passage Of the bill
Before adiourning third resolution
vas passed, to request the special
committee Of the State Teachers
Association to investigate the question
u annnrtioninp the county schnnl