Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1911-03-09
SCHOOL OFFICERS MEET
A LARGE NUMBER ATTEND
THE MEETING FRIDAY
AN INSTRUCTIVE SESSION
Prominent Educational and
Agricultural Experts Assist in
Making the Meeting one of
the Most Interesting Ever
Held in Day County.

the Most Interesting Ever
Held in Day County.
Pursuant to a call by County Super
intendent j. H. Hetley, the school
officers of Day county met at the opera
house in Webster, Friday, March 9rd.
and at 1890 a. m. the meeting was
called to order by the superintendent,
who in few well chosen words extended
hearty welcome to all. the meeting
was organized by choosing w. H. Wood
ward chairman and j. j. Fosse, secre-
tary.
Supt. Hetley gave short address in
relation to the rural schools of the
county. The selection of teachers for
the several districts is one of the most
difficult functions of the office, especi-
ally when the local supply is exhausted.
The recommendations are not always
reliable, but in the future, as in the
past, every effort will be made to
secure only such teachers as are educa-
tionally, morally and physically compe-
tent.
Henry Paul, being called on, res
pended with an earnest appeal to the
meeting to cooperate in educating the
children as a means of delivering the
country from its present unfair condi-
tions. The farmers are especially in a
bad way. While all other classes can
say what their labor and products are
worth, the farmer has to take what he
can get. He has everything to do and
nothing to say. The other fellow wants
half of everything, but will do nothing
to produce that half. Our ignorance is
the cause of these conditions-hence
the need of better education. He advo-
Gated fairness in all things, and believed
in keeping good thing when we have
found it. That was why he, though {
democrat, had always been in favor o.
j. II. Hetley as county superintendent
If the farmers would work together al
farmers, and cooperate, they coulC
have their say and make the other fel
low do his share of the work too. Hi.
address was we'll received and heartily
applauded.
Mr., German next spoke in favor Of
repeating the law prohibiting the issu
ing of third grade certificates to the
same person more than twice. He helc
that we had become the dumping grounc
of third grade teachers from neighbor
ing states, while our own poung people
had become discouraged. Physica
ability, he contended, was as necessary
in teacher as high scholastic stand
ing.
d. j. Howell wanted to emphasize
the need of physical ability. 1t was fol
the teacher what the army and navy il
for the nation. He thought that aftel
two years practice, if the teacher wa!
worthy of continuing in the profession
he or she would gets second grade GER
tificate.
He also was in favor of the compul
sorry law, although he had heard many
who were opposed to it. The best way
he knew to have an obnoxious law
repealed, was to enforce it.
The chairman then announced recess
for dinner.
At l 80 the meeting was again called
to order, and President Nash; of the
Aberdeen Normal, addressed the meet
He spoke in favor of progressive educa.
tion-not faddism. He admonished the
school officers to do their best in spite
of poor pay. A well equipped schoo
room should have light from one side
only, be heated with a ventilatine
stove, have good desks single desks