New-York tribune., 1908-06-30
TEACHERS In SESSION
CONTENE At CLETEL4ND
Negro Girl Makes Perfect Record in
Intercity Spelling Contest.

Cleveland, June ce-The largest snd mos. yar,.a
programme in the history Of the National Fduca
tion Association marked the opening OF the forty
eixth annual convention of the organization which
heesn fve-day session here to-day Thousands
OF delegates were kept busy taking part in the
days events. The school teachers and Cleveland
ers filed the streets and public places which ara
esyly decorated 1t day of '.hustlins' for
the transportation companies as well as the media
soeues A special depot was constructed tn care
for the baggage Thousands Of Cleveland homes
were thrown open to entertain the visitors Hotels
restaurants and boarding houses are reaping a
harvest
The first session in connection with the conven-
ton meeting of the national council. The
Scarcity Of Teachers" was discussed. This was
followed by meeting of the 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 condition of the association and
the change in the policy OF the railways through
out the country in the matter Of passenger rates.
TIE committee recommended that Congress be
urged 10 make appropriations and take up the
work Of educational investigation under the gov
ernment Bureau of Education
One the interesting features of the programme,
although a part of the general convention rou-
tine spelling contest between eighth grade
pupils in which team Of fifteen, representing
each OF four cities, entered.
NEGRO GIRL PERFECT IN SPELLING.
the country. Pittsburg. New Orleans La, and
Erie Penn accepted the challenge. Each con-
testant was known by number only First there
was written contest OF 100 words and then oral
spelling OF about $50 words. When the scores
were compiled II found that Cleveland had
won with a total of only thirty-eight errors.
Pittsburs was second with forty-seven errors. New
Orleans third with siXty-six and Eric fourth with
eighty-fye. Two girls Mae Thurshy, Of Pittsburg,
and Marie Boden. Of Cleveland had perfect scores:
Three pupils missed only word.
Miss Boden is a negro. When her record was
announced she received repeated cheers from all
parts OF the big theatre.
The first general session was held in conjunction
with the national council where addresses of
welcome were made. responses heard and Charles
r Thwing. president of Western Reserve Univer-
sity, Cleveland, made q report upon THE Educa-
tional Progress for the Year"
An exhibition by the United States government,
in the education Indian children, is being given
for the benefit Of the visiting teachers This work
is under the direction of Miss Estelle Reel super
intendent OF Indian schools.
Real Indian Dances with all of the mysteri-
ous and uncanny chants of the real Indian in his
native habit given. The purpose of this cere-
1nony a effort show contrast between
sarasery and what is accomplished under compre-
hensive governmental supervision of the education
OF the Indian children. The exhibition school is
composed of children of the Nez Perce tribe who
dress in tribal costumes and adorned in bar
baric splendor. Demonstrations and exhibitions of
the handiwork the Indian pupils are made.
The active delegates met in their respective state
headquarters at $50 p. and selected CANDIDATES
for the nominating committee This committee VIII
meet On Wednesday morning TO nominate board
directors for the ensuing The new directors
will organize next Thursday evening.
The second general session met at p m at the
FIppodrone Theatre, where all Of the general ses-
sions will be held and which seats upward of five
thousand persons CIoudseley S. H. Brereton. d.
,siana1 inspector London County Council, London,
England. who has been suffering from an attack
OF bronchitis much improved and was able
10 deliver his in the evening. His subject
was The Problem Of Vocational Education in
London"
The musical numbers were the feature Of the
afternoon general session. The work of the boys
chorus of five hundred voices, under the direction
Of J. Powell Jones director Of music in the CleVe-
land schools was favorably commented upon ow-
ing TO the absence OF the Mayor the Rev DR. H.
p Cooley. of the City Department of Charities de-
Tvered the address Of welcome for the city, and
DR. Charles 6. Howe president Of the Chamber
Of Commerce, welcomed the delegates on behalf
of the business men Of the city. William o.
Thomson. president Of the Ohio State University,
Columbus responded for the delegates
At this point the national council took up the
programme and President Joseph Swain of
SwarthTnore College, Swarthmore, Penn. intro
duced President Charles F. Thwing. Of Western
Reserve University. DR.. Thwing spoke The
Progress of Education
At the evening session there another elab-
orate musical programme, and the address OF Vice
President Nathan c. Schaeffer, State Superinten-
dent Of Public instruction, Harrisburg, Penn. who
vas acting president, in the absence of President
Edwin G. Cooley. Superintendent Of Schools of Chi
cago who is Ill in Switzerland, delivered.
DR. Andrew S. Draper, Commissioner of Educa-
tion for the State Of New York. spoke this even
ing upon The Adaptation of the Public School
Industrial Ends