The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-01-10
EDUCATORS HOLD MEETING.

EDUCATORS HOLD MEETING.
North Dakota Association, Holds An
nuai Convention.
With 500 teachers in attendance the
North Dakota Educational association
opened its annual convention In
Grand Forks Wednesday. The pro
gram included a forenoon session Of
the high school and county superin.
tendents' departments and in the at
ternoon the first session Of the genera!
association was held.
In his annual address President
Squires made plea for better Eng
lish and pointed out some of the de
fects. that are common. He urged
teachers to have their pupils devote
more time to composition and less to
technicalities.
The annual address of w. L. Stock !
well, state superintendent of schools
was made Wednesday night. His
theme was "The Teacher as a Factor
In the Community" and he declared
that there was no position so. fraught
with opportunities for the public good.
He urged teachers to become more
active in the life of communities in
which they live. Dean Kennedy, who
has attended every convention of the
association since its organization
twenty'one years ago, gave histori.
cal address.
Valley City was selected as the
next meeting place at the meeting
held Thursday afternoon. The Choice
was made unanimously. The amend.
ment to the constitution making it
possible to hold the convention in
cities other than Fargo and Grand
Forks was adopted by vote of "a to
%, and lively discussion followed
as to whether it would be possible for
Valley City to. provide accommoda.
lions for the big crowd in attendance.
The association was assured that
there are ample hotel accommodations
at this time.
President, Matte M. Davis, superin.
tendent of Cass county; vice presi-
| dent, Supt. G. w. Hanna of Valley
City; second vice president, Frances
| Morrill, of Jamestown; secretary, Prof.
Clyde R. Travis Of Mayville normal;
treasurer, Supt. C. Ellithorpe of vii.
liston.
An interesting feature of the session
of the department of higher and pro
fessional education was an attack on
college education by some of the
speakers. Prof Halland of the North
Dakota agricultural college stirred
things up and declared, among other
things, that, judging from the number
of lawyers and doctors who are seek
ing to make living off the 100000
residents of North Dakota, one would
naturally suppose this to be the most
sickly and law-scourged place in the
world. Prof. Birch of the state science
school at Wahpeton referred to let
ter of a New York business man who
stated that he could get all the college
graduates he wanted for $12 per week.
He also stated that $12 and SIS per
week would hire lawyers of long ex.
perience. This attack was followed by
strong denials on the part of college
supporters, and a most interesting
session followed.
The convention came to a close On
Friday afternoon. 1t was success in
every way,and the attendance was the
largest in the organizations history.
In his address at the Friday afternoon
session Gov. John Burke declared
himself in favor of making the Bad
Lands forest reserve. This was the
main subject of his address.
An address was made by Bishop
Mann, whose subject was The
Church" He was followed by Mrs.
Frank White of Valley City, who dis
cussed "Women's Clubs" "The Press"
was the theme of w. P. Davies of
Grand Forks. Rev. J. H. Batten of
Grand Forks discussed The Home"
In resolutions adopted at the session
w. L. Stockweu was Endorsed for re.
election at state superintendent of
public instruction. A more thorough
study of English was recommended. It
was urged that study of agriculture be
made in the elementary and secondary
schools.
The reaction against the vertical
system Of penmanship was approved,
and it was urged that more attention
be paid to the subject. Further or.
ganization of teachers in counties was
recommended. Contract by the year
for teachers instead of contract by
the month was urged. Abolition Of
the district system and adoption of
the township system were favored.
In accordance with the views of
Gov. Burke 1t was decided to petition
the national government to set aside
the Bad Lands for the purpose Of for
estation.
Csylon Pearl Harvest.
A report on Ceylon, forwarded by
Consul General Michael from Calcutta.
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