The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-06-21

huence reaches more than it formerly
did. The weakening of the family in
fuence is due to this. The teacher il
the one person who stands in the breach
Morality may he taught in the schools
if religion cannot. The child can b,
taught right from wrong and the respon
sibiity of the citizen in the modern civ
ilization. The problem is being faced by
the schools manfully but not sutti
GENTLY.
The intellectual problem is not as diff
ficult as the other two. knowledge OF
the child is absolutely necessary. I'll
we are to place all of these burdens on
the new school master what is to be-
come of him." asked the speaker "Ht
must have assistance from the doctor
and the school visitor. The time has
come when every child's eyes should be
examined. You may say that 1T Is
good thing for the inspector, but would
YOU 90 to war without examining youl
GUN. or begin to thresh without inspect
inc your machine for flaws, or cut gram
without knowing the defects OF yom
binder? When it comes to the matter OF
education, when we are going to spend
the money of the community for ten oil
fifteen wears on a child, we do not know
whether the child can see or hear what
is said. The time is coming when every
school system must have
inspection, otherwise what is the use OF
beginning a performance that can only
end in bad teaching?
Have Homes Visited.
IF a man buys property he looks
carefully at the abstracts and title, but
when it comes to education we have nc
school children of what we are getting
look to see the time come when every
school will have visitor who will Wis
it the homes and report on the same
Otherwise, how will the teacher know
how to account for much about the chill
dren? The teacher must understand the
social points of the community. There
ought to be new dignity to place the
profession on a plane as high as any
other profession. The teacher must have
courage to force aside the old in thought
and ideas that stand in the way of prog
ress. The time is coming when from the
new point of view the teacher will be a
new force in the community. She should
have the aid and sympathy of us all in
order that she may bring about high
type of manhood and womanhOod in her
pupils"
The girls octet sang "The Crisis Cross
Baby" by Lynes, in a manner that was
artistic and pleasing.
New Building This Year.
President Cooper made some an
about the size of the class
etc. He spoke of the summer sessions.
There would be four regular terms in
the year hereafter, and this year q six
weeks summer school besides the regu-
lar twelve weeks term. School would
open June 25. Misses Blaisdell and
Klossner, who had been with the school
five or six years respectively, would re-
tire from, the faculty. He would be sor-
ry to lose them because they had done
faithful and efficient work. Their sue
eessors would be elected In a few days.
The school was to have the new build
ing this year, the $65, 900 appropriated
by the legislature being available the
present year. The state architect would
prepare the plans and it was hoped to
get the building under contract in a few
weeks. 1t would be used as a, model
school and gymnasium, and would be
placed south of the main building and
closer to. Fifth street, partly for looks
and partly to save. the ground for the
$50 children in the model school, The
school would then, be able. to take care
of the physical problem. Miss, Fisher
who was with the school several years
ago, has been engaged as director of the
gymnasium.
Presentation of Diplomas.
Hon. H. L. Buck of Winona, mem
Der of the state normal school board
was then introduced and addressed the
graduating class before presenting the
diplomas. He said that the students had
now reached the point that they had
been seeking for some months or years
The diplomas were evidence only that
they had completed a certain prescribed
course, not that they had completed
their education. In fact, they had only
commenced their education, for life, with
its joys and sorrows, is a great school
The pioneers of the state saw the need
for popular education, and liberal sys-
TEN of school was provided for. Schools
without teachers were useless, and the
normal schools were early established to
supply trained teachers. You have been
the wards of the state up to this time,
said Mr.. Buck. 1T has furnished you
the very best training that money car
buy, and now you go out in the service
of the state, and the state expects the
very best service of which you are capa-
BILE. | sometimes think that the teacher
has more influence on the life of the
child than the mother If the mothers
and teachers cannot make good citizens
out of the children none else can."
Mr.. Buck spoke of the dignity and
high character of the teachers calling
In his opinion the profession is high
er and nobler one than any other. I'll
you do your work well you may be able
to eXterminate all other professions in
time, at least the doctors and the law
yers," said Mr.. Buck. "Put your heart
into your work; do not work for money
only. hope that the time will com,
when fair salaries will be paid, yet i
this is not reached do not make it tn,
main object of life. The character o.
the future citizens of the state is il
your hands. The state is interested pri
marily in having good citizens. l con
graduate YOU upOn having completed tn,