Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-12-13
SCHOOL MEN HERE GALORE
Convention Attended by High-Up
Dignitaries in Educational Work

Thursday, the occasion of one of two
school district officers conventions to be
convened in the county. The meeting
was held pursuant to law, called by
Superintendent Gardner. Without no
LITIGATION of their coming, it was a
pleasure and compliment to have here
on that day State Superintendent c. p.
/ Cary, President Cotton of the La
Crosse normal school, Prof. Taylor FRYE
of the state industrial commission, w.
| E. Larson, state rural school Inspector,
and Mr.. Cleasby, a representative from
the game warden department, besides
Prof, Godfrey, principal of Westby
| schools.
The gathering reminded us of the
old-fashioned political conventions long
held in the county seat, with their en-
thusiasm and commingling of kindred
spirits. The large attendance augurs
well for us educationally, and the dis
cussions were entered into vigorously on
various SUBJECTS. Especially is this
true of the one presented by Superin-
tendent Gardner THAT part of the
teachers pension law which relates to
school officers" A flood of questions
we're showed at the speaker, who gave
replies on misunderstood points. 1t
/
ance of school officers looked with dis
| favor on the law, and they declared
| that the same was true of teachers in
their neighborhoods: that the teacher
with small salary would never receive
benefit from the operations of the law,
the high-salaried principals and pro-
fessors practically alone would be bene-
! ficiaries.
Prof Frye, representing the state in
dustrial commission, which deals with
truancy and compulsory attendance,
gave some startling facts and figures
on these subjects. He said Wisconsin,
| is spending too much money for educa-
| tion not to have it taken advantage of
| by the rising generation, and that the
department of state with which he is
| connected has a work to do and it pro-
poses to make it effective, and the
| sooner parents, children, school officers
and other officials charged with on
| fercement of law in this particular,
realize the force of the logic the bet
| ter it will be for all concerned. Wis
consin leads in most everything. Prof
| Frye said, lard we cannot afford to
TALL behind edacationally !"
Inspector Larson spoke on two sub
| jects, Consolidation of districts under
recent legislation, and THE county
superintendent and his work" Both
were treated with candor and telling
effect. The superintendent of large
county does more real everyday work
than any other person in the commun-
| ity. He never has a holiday or cessa-
ton from the drudgery of the position,
and seldom they are paid literally for
| their services"
A representative of the game warden
department spoke on bird and game
| life, stating that the state is doing edu-
eational work along this line.
In the afternoon State Superintend-
ent Cary was called out and introduced
| by Superintendent Gardner. He spoke
briefly, paying high compliment to
the 1iberaIity of Wisconsin citizens in
taxing themselves for the various ave-
nues of education. The salient point
made was that the new system of train
ing schools is filling want and pro-
j viding a means that will be fully APP
preciated as time wears on.
Prof. Godfrey spoke forcibly of the
''needs of agriculture IN our schools,
stating that the average teacher, be
cause of lack of actual experience in
agricultural knowledge and contact is
| lOldiiy UIlpIGpdICu " liltpdAb lhAOAih
| ton TO her classes. Demonstrations
with simple and necessary equipment
| is essential to teach the rudiments or
the larger scope of work in this i'm
portant branch.
MIR. Fred P. Bean of Sterling, spoke
for an agricultural college in connection
with the county training school
| Paul Steensland of Westby, following
discussion of teachers pension law.
moved that a committee be appointed
to draft resolutions disappearing of
! features of the same, and SuperirItend-
ent Gardner appointed Mr.. Steensland,
Mrs. Eta German and William Dolen
such committee. They later presented
the following resolution, which was un-
animously adopted:
| School officers of the western part Of Vernon
county in convention assembled. after having
heard the explanation Of the meaning Of Chapter
1923, Laws of 1911, returning 70 teachers insurance
and retirement fund. lind the matter Of COM
pusory contributions by the teachers TO this fune
Objectionable. and, we think unjust. BE il there
| fore
| RESOLVED. That the legislature be Detitioned
/ to amend the law 50 as to make it option instead
COMPULSORY.
The training school pupils and in
structors visited the convention in q
| body and made a fine showing. The
school responded to calls for songs,
several numbers being given in credit
able form end force.