The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-30
THEEDUCAT0RSMEE
CONVENTION OF NATIONAL Ass0cI'
 ALTON IN CLEvELAND.
Varied Program Marks The Opening Day. And . Spelling Bee ts
 One Of The Interesting

Cleveland, O., June 2S-The largest and most varied program in the his- tory of the National Educational As- sociation. marked the opening of the 4sth annual convention of the organisa- tion. which began five days session here today.
 Thousands of delegates were kept busy taking part in the days events. Cleveland bristIed with entertainment. The streets and buildings are gaily decorated. The school teachers and Clevelanders filled the streets and pub lic places.
 The first session in connection with the convention was the meeting of the National Council. This was followed by a meeting of tho directors. where the financial reports were made and resolutions adopted. The committee on appropriations and investigation proposed that their work be dropped, owing to the general financial condi- | ton of the association and the change | tn the policy of the railways through out the country in the matter of pas senEer rates. The committee recorn- mended that Congress be asked to I make appropriations and take up the work of educational investigation under the government bureau of educa- tion.
 one of the interesting features of | the program. although not a part Of the official convention routine. was spelling contest between eighth grade | pupils, in which team of fifteen representing each of four cities enter ed The Cleveland schools challenged the schools of the country. Pittsburg, New Orleans, and Erie. accepted the | challenge First there was a written contest of 100 words and then oral spelling of about 25o words. Cleveland won with total of only thirty-eight l errors. Pittsburg was second with | forty-seven errors. New Orleans third with sixty-six and Erie fourth with eighty-five
 Two girls, Mae Thursby, of Pittsburg and Marie Bolden of Cleveland. had | perfect scores. Marie Bolden Is a negro When her record was announced she received cheers from all parts of the big theatre. | The first general session was held in conjunction with the national coun- | ell, where addresses of welcome were made. responses heard and Charles F. | Thwing, President of Western Reserve | University. Cleveland. made a report | on "Educational Progress of the Year. An exhibition by the United States | government in the edtcattpn of Indian | children was given for the benefit of the visiting teachers. This work Is under the direction of Miss EveIle Rec, Superintendent of Indian schools. Real Indian war dances, with all of the mysteries and uncanny chants of the real Indian were given. The pur- pose of this ceremony is an effort, to show a contrast between savagery and what might be accomplished under comprehensive governmental super vision of the education of the Indian children The exhibition school is composed of children of the Neg Perce tribe.
 The active delegates met in their
 respective state headquarters at s:3C
 D. m. and selected candidates for the
 nominating committee. This commit tee will meet Wednesday morning tc
 nominate a board of directors for tho
 ensuing year. The new directors will
 organize next Thursday evening.
 The second general session met at D. m.. at the Hippodrofne Theatre
 where all of the general sessions vii
 be held. cloudseley S. Brereton
 divisional inspector of the London
 County Council. London, England. wh'
 has been suffering from an attack O
 bronchitis was much improved and wal
 able to deliver his address in the even ling.
 The musical numbers were th'
 features of the afternoon general ses
 sion.
 Rev pr. H. R. Cooley delivered th
 address of welcome for the city an' Dr. Charles Howe welcomed the dele
 gates in behalf of tho business men 0
 the city.
 William O. Thompson. President o
 the Ohio State University responde'
 for the delegates.
 At this point the national counci
 took up the program and Presiden
 Joseph Swain. of Swarthmore College
 Swarthmore. Pa. introduced Presiden Charles F. Thwing. to address tn
 delegates:
 At the evening session here and an
 other elaborate musical program an' the annual address of Vice Presiden
 Nathan c. schaeffer. State Superinten
 dent of Public Instruction, Harrisburs