The Somerset reporter., 1908-11-05
Somerset Well Represented.

The following teachers and super
intendents from this county attended
the meeting OF the Maine Educational
Association in Portland last week,
fifty three in all:
MaoeI Caldwell Lucretfa
Dinsmore, Dist. Supt. and Mrs. Geo.
f. Paine, Miss Rand, Grace Vose,
Prin. Guy Williams
Fairfield Marion BaJcheIder, Mary
A. Brown, Francis L. Cate, Grace +.
Drummond, Jennie Emery, Marion
Goodwin, Bessie Haley, Florence
Nichols, Catherine O'Brien, Prin II.
K. Pratt, VI. A. Wetherill
Madison-E Ethel Brown, Della Drew.
Maude Dyer, Adelaide and Nellie 4.
Holway, Ethel Sanford, Mabel
Seward, Ethel Thompson, Mary l..
Taylor, Blanche Wilber, Ethel Frost.
Plttsfie eld-Ethel B. Morill, Yelma
Rollins, Grace Rogers.
Skowhegan-Dorothy Elliott, Win
nipel Cover, Alice 4. Moore, II. S.
Mitchell, Dist. Supt. d. H. Perkins,
Ethel A. Kicker, Gala RoWell, Mar
jorie Salley, Berdena Trafton
Hartland- Mary Anderson, Dist.
Supt. j. S. Norton, Marion Norton,
Perla d. Pierce.
Athens-Ur. Smith.
Bingham-Dst Supt G Z. Ball
Canaan-Dist. Supt. +. l.. RoWeH.
New Portland-Eva NJ. Hilton.
Norridgew BigeloW.
Palmyra-Mrs. L. z Leavitt.
Ripley--Eunice Hoyt.
st. Albans-H. b. Arev.
This is probably twice as many as
ever attended any previous meeting
from this county and this fact is but
one of many signs Of the great educa-
tional awakening, not only in this
section but all the rural sections Of
Maine, an awakening that is largely
the result of the efforts and influence
of the district superintendents
Fifteen hundred and thirty persons
registered as members of the two As
soeiatlons and each general meeting
filled the entire seating capacity Of
the Auditorium. Thursday afternoon
many could not secure seats.
All the addresses were able and ex-
ceptionally practical, especially those
by State Supt. Smith. Dr. a. Z. VIM
ship of Boston, Supt F. a. Beedy Of
New Haven, CT, and Elk. Gov. Geo
II. Utter of r. l. Nearly all the
speakers urged that more attention
be given to industrial education SO
far as this could be done and not sac
ritice the necessary mental culture.
Manual and agricultural training
were the two most dwelt upon. State
Supt. Smith announced that the state
Department of Education was pre-
pairing and would have ready for in
hxr I,,lx To-
courses of study in agricultural ore
for the rural common schools, another
for the smaller High Schools and the
third for the larger High Schools and
Academies. The fact that Mr.. Smith
is preparing them is a strong assur-
ance that they will be practical.
The meetings of the various depart
ments of the Association were well
attended and the exercises were in
teresting and helpful. The room pro-
vided for the Department of Rural
Schools was too small by far, about
one hundred and twenty crowding in
and as many more failing to find
standing room and going elsewhere
Only about forty attended last year
Miss Lincoln's talk and DR.. Twitchell's
paper were clear, strong, practical
and progressive and were listened to
with deep interest. The discussions
were animated and general and
brought out many helpful suggestions.
The Question Box conducted by Mr..
Smith was a decided success and of
great value. SO deep was the inter
est in the work of this department
that Pres. Ball secured the promise
of the vestry of Pine Street Congre
gational Church of Lewiston for next
year as the Associations will meet in
the twin cities in 1909 and that vestry
will seat all who wish to attend Mr..
Ball received many compliments up
on the successful consummation of SO
fine program.
The educators of Somerset towns
who did not go to Portland were
heavy losers. Next year Lewiston is
SO near and the iares will be so low
that none can afford to stay away.
OF the two hundred and seventy
teachers and twenty eight superin-
tendents more than one in six should
attend the annual meeting of the
state association. OBSERVER.