The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-03-21
SCHOOL DIRECTORS CONVENTION

The annual convention Of the Co.
lumbia County Directors Associa-
ton was held at the Normal School
last Saturday. There was large
attendance, an unusual feature be-
ing the presence of the wives of
many of the directors. The morn
ing session opened at 900 O'Clock,
with devotional exercises, D.. M.
L. Canoe addressed the meeting
with some very pertinent remarks.
He was followed by DR.. ID. J Wal
ler, who spoke on "The distinction
between a necessary expense and
profitable investment.
John B. Fortner of Catawissa
then read carefully prepared paper
on Domestic Science, Manual
Training, and Music in Our schools"
DR.. L. B. Kline, president of the
Association, read a paper entitled
The Essentials of Common
School Education.
Nathan Beisblne Of Fishingcreek
selected as his subject Agriculture
in the Public Schools" He brought
out the fact that the rural schools
are in a measure educating their
children away from the farm thus
depicting the country districts OF
many OF their most talented young
people. He urged the necessity for
such changes in the course of study
as will better relegate the education
Of country childrec to country life.
This was followed by short but
pointed discussion. County Supt.
Evans called attention to q fatal de-
feet in the school system as regards
rural schools. He emphasized the
point that all text books are written
and all teachers trained with town
point of view almost exclusively.
The reason for this condition, he
stated, lies with the country people
who have been content to follow in
the paths beaten by the town school
systems. If the people of the coun-
try demand a change, he stated,
they will get it.
Prof. J. f. Rees Kilgore, super
intendent of the schools of Sullivan
county, was the next speaker, he
speaking on The Director from
Superintendent's Standpoint"
Pretty Little Kate" was the
title of an exceptionally we'll render
ed baritone solo by Chas. o. Skeer,
of Bloomsbury, which drew forth
an encore.
The last number of the morning
program was a very eloquent and
timely address by Hon. F. c. Bow
ersox, former superintendent of the
Snyder county scrools. "The Mis-.
sion of the Public Schools" was his
subject.
At the close of the morning ses-
sion the members repaired to the
dining room of the Normal where
an excellent dinner was served.
Prof. G.. f. Wilbur made a happy
hit as toastmaster, and kept every
body in a good humor.
Charles o. Skeer then sang
Gypsy john and was encored,
The following were the toasts and
speakers: "Our Wives" William
S. Johnson, Berwick; Contagious
Diseases" DR.. l.. B. Kline, Cata-
wissa; Paper Wads in Education"
Geo. A. Laub, BerwicS; Boarding
Round" +. P, Bender, Saltwater;
The Old Time Spelling School" 1"
Josiah Heacock, Millville. Remarks
were also made by f. B. Hartman
and Supt. Dean of Mt. Carmel.
At the afternoon session the
following officers were elected:
President, J. H. Eisenhauer, of
Mifflin; first vice president, Geo. B.
Patterson of Greenwood; secretary,
VIM. E. Rinker of Bloomsbury;
treasurer, N. Beishline of Fishing
Geek.
The afternoon session opened
with song by Bloomsbury High
School pupils, led by Prof. Yetter.
u. c. Brown spoke on School
Board Economy" DR.. I. L.