Putnam patriot., 1909-09-17
A Revised Report.
nY ELLEN D. LARNrD.


 atn happy io meet my friends and fellow tewnspeople upon this memora- ble occasion the reception of this benatifnI Memorial edifice, dedicated to the higher education of the youth of onf iown of Thompson. The need Of such Il provision has been long mani fest. But fer the convenient proximity of excellent high schools in neighbor- Ing towns and the opportnne opening of trolley transit advanced ideas of ed uealipn and onr own sense of local re- sponsihiiity would have almost com pellea our town 10 face the situation and provide for the demand. Ne re- leiee that so many of onf young people 6s the nid ol The town have enjoyed l the privilege Of attending these friend l ly institutions, but We recognize most l clearly the fact that il k not in keep. ing with the theory and practice of l Connecticut that the youth of town shoald be eSligud to seek fna its gfow- 1 inE needs beyond its own limits. In Connecticut more than iu any state of our Union the town is sovereign. Each town k a aintalute republic, manag. 1 ins its own internal relations, aad so | far Was this principle carried out ia school matters that the towns were sub-dividod into distriets-we have sixteen of them in Thompson, each with it's own schooihouse, master or mistress, committee man and school tax | And the training received in these Dis tfiot schools Was well adapted to the needs of The tirnes--the scholars often becoming tcnchets, eager to impsrt the know ledge and stimulus they had re- | eeiVed.
 Much has been said ef the "I.ittle Red ~ehoolhouse and ils agency in moulding American character and in- stituiions. And Thompson has sent out many from its schools worthy To be held in reinemo oranee. llhiel Town, architect in Boston and New Haven; Elisha x. Converse of Maiden and Boston, John W naane of 'fhomp- son and Chicago, General John F. fourtellelte, whose pictured face looks down upon us from wonder Memorial Hall; Gen. 6eorge N Davis, our pros- ent representative In Washington, D. G.=-these and others from all parts of the town went eut from ear District schools to i'll places ef usefulness at home and abroad and remember grate, fully their early training and teachers.
 But thess ate things of the past. The "Red Schoolhouse" Is gone. the district system abolished, the local academy outsrown-~Moiern develop. ment, the spirit of the. age, demand more thorough and sys- lcmstic education. If such cannot he obtained free of charge within it's own limits, our Staie allows the towns to improve outside privileges, as has been done hy Thompson. Hat if the ehil. drcn need the schooling, the town needs the children. She cannot afford to lose her hold upon them just al this formative period, when she needs to retain their interest and affection. She wants them 10 grow up with that by alty and devotion which characterized those who went out from the old schoolhouse. She wants the strangers, who come among us. to feel that they live in town with character and historic town that cares for and provide for the highest interests of her children. And 50 We weicouie this capacious edifiee-this educational in. stitaa which is capable of doing SO much for the highest development of her youth. And if the small school house and limited instructions has sent out young men and women who have done good work In the world, what may We not hope for those who will enjoy so much greater advantages. Ne do not boast ot our town beyond measure. Like all Connecticut towns