Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-03-31
Buffalo Teachers Association
Discussed Text Books
CoLLIERsTowN, VA, Mch. 90


Discussed Text Books
CoLLIERsTowN, VA, Mch. 80.
DEAR GAzEyTE:-The Buffalo Dis
trict Teachers Association held at
Collierstown Graded School Building
last Saturday, March 20. its final meet
ing for the present scholastic year.
The exercises were opened with prayer
by Rev. DR.. Hanrahan OF the Presby-
terrain church.
A very excellent and instructive pa
per criticising the vertical system OF
pennmanship now prescribed for our
public schools, was read by Miss Anrie
F. Nichols OF the Collierstown Graded
school, and followed by a lively gene
raj discussion participated in by Prof.
P. II. Montgomery. principal Of Col
lierstown Graded school ,and ex-Super-
intendent of Schools j. Lucian Hamil-
ton This discussion, however, was
one sided both speakers agreeing with
Miss Nichols In her criticism and
judging from the manifestations of
approval elected by the speakers, IL
was evident that the vertical is uni
versally dlsapproved by this associa-
ton.
Another forceful and interesting
paper, discussing generally and disap-
proyingly the text books prescribed
under our present regime, was read by
Miss Lita p. Boulware, also OF the
Oolierstown Graded school. The
reading OF this paper called forth Wig.
orous speeches from Messrs. Mont.
gomery and Hamilton, who compared
the merits of our text books of twenty
years ago with those now In authorita
tive use, showing up our present books
to great disadvantage. The sentiments
expressed by the speakers on this
text book question were apparently
most heartily endorsed by the members
of the association, as well as by the
audience of patrons and friends of the
school
The last subject considered at this
meeting was "An Act to Provide Re-
tenement Fund for Public School Teach
ers," approved by The General Assem-
bly, of Virginia, March IA, 1908. The
discussion OF this subject was intro
duced by Professor Montgomery, who |
strenuously denounced all pensions.
and especially what he characterized
as This latest outrage" He was fol-
lowed by Mr.. Hamilton In defence of
this legislation. Declaring at the out
set OF his remarks that we are all more !
DR. less creatures OF circumstances, that
our environments exert great influence
n our mental development, ETC.. he face
lou ,ly observed that the standpoint
rom which one looks Is sometimes a
potent factor In the formation OF his
opinions, that the alignment of Pro
essor Montgomery and himself on this
question would appear quite logical,
when il is Iemem bered that Professor
montgomery has taught but few
ears and now expects to discontinue
rachng while he (HamiIton) had
aucht twenty yrals In the Iublic
chools of Rcckbridge. Mr.. hamil-
on was followed by Professor l.. g
scott, principal of Palmer High school,
Tho spoke in opposition to tie legis-
alive act 10 question. {
Your correspondent would be pleased ,
0 give comprehensive report of the
ETC., but apprehends that
GU could not yield us 50 much space.
uffice to gay. the exercises seemed to I,
e enjoyed hy all present, and when the
inc arrived for adjournment sine die,
ne members and friends of the asso.
alton separated with that feeling OF
,gret which chGracteriZes such nct-to-
leet again adjOurnments.
Yours very truly,
OCCASIONAL.
(1he above excellent report Of the
uffaio Teachers Association meeting
cached us too late for last. weeks
sue. Editor GAzETTED