Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1908-04-10
OFFICERS AND TEACHERS MEET.

OFFICERS AND TEACHERS MEET.
Prominent Men Address Enthusiastic
Gathering at the Court House.
The court room was filed Tuesday
afternoon when the County Superin-
tendent, Mrs. Anderson, called the
School Officers and teachers' Meeting
to order and introduced State Superin.
tendent q. A. Ustrud:as the first speak
or OF the afternoon.
In few words he outlined the trip
through the state SO far and some of
its results, leading up to his stereopti-
can lecture on "The Public School and
itsSurroundings." The views were ex-
oellent and varied starting with the
old Deadwood stage coach and pioneer
school houses in Vermillion and other
towns, including the fine school build
ings at Mitchell, Brookings, Sioux Falls
and Spearfish, and ending with fine
views of Lincoln, Washington. Harriet
Beecher Stowe, President Roosevelt
and Old Glory, plea being made for
the pictures presence in the rooms and
the flag floating from every school
ground.
H. L. Bras, of Mitchell, convulsed
the audience with number of laugh
able stories at the close of the lecture.
is. Robertson spoke entertainingly
on the subject of "Beautifying of
School Grounds" lie contended that
the school law requiring the fencing
of school grounds should be complied
with and every opportunity taken to
plant trees.
Prof. Shouse spoke on "The Equip
ment of Scholars for entering the High
School," He mentioned two lines of
study that particularly affected these
requirements, which were arithmetic
and English. The foundation work of
spelling, reading and grammar should
be thorough, as also fractions, common
divisors and least common multiples.
Prof. j. +. Olander, of Pierre, spoke
of the "Cause of the Scarcity of Teach
ers." He mentioned a shortage of
over ZOO teachers last December. Low
salaries and lack of preparation kept
many from teaching. In recent exam.
nations about fifty per cent had failed
to pass, most of whom showed lack of
English work. Many failed in SPELL
lug. Out OF 764 lists at the last exam
ination, three missed every word of
the fifty and only four perfect. 4o4
failed last August in reading. One
test was Lincoln's Gettysburg speech,
all capitals and punctuation marks be-
ing removed which the applicants
we're required to replace and tell who
wrote it and whore it was given. The
first part was done fairly we'll but the
answers showed the speech to be given
by everyone but Lincoln and on as
many different occasions. In re-
sponse to the question of how sound
reaches the ear, one answer said
"Through the Erie Canal" Another
question asked was the use of the pam
creatic juice and the answer was ut is
used to digest pancakes" Another,
'What is the Retna?" answer, ssThe
oily matter at the base of the roots Of
hair" "Who are the Board of Re-
gents?" Answer, 'They have charge
of the feeble minded institution, the
forest reserves, and minors till they
become of age" "What is Geyser?"
IA frozen stream of water flowing
down hill" School boards ought to
pay better wages and teachers ought to
make better preparation.
The question box brought out many
questions and lively discussion of the
truancy law
The evening meeting was also we'll
attended and the singing by the glee
club, Mrs. Hedrick and DR.. Eaton
much enjoyed.
The lecture by Prof. w. E. johnson,
of Aberdeen, was we'll illustrated and
enjoyed by all.
This was the best meeting yet in the
interest of better school work and
good results will surely follow.