The Dickinson press., 1912-03-30
Coyote and held the audience SPELL

Coyote and held the audience SPELL
bound.
Prof. Gustafson of the city schools
gave the county teachers valuable sue-
sestions az to what they can do in Civ
ing their pupils a start in manual train
ing. 40
THE country pupil 10 entitled to
some training Of his hands as well as
his city brother. Three problems con-
front the rural school-competent in
struction. arrangement of a course and
the cost of equipment. Cooperation
may solve these. Consolidation 10
gaining and where several schools
unite the cost is less and the instruc-
ton a be better. But it is entirely
possible to do quite a little with a COM
paratively small outlay. A shed. cellar,
part of the cloak room or q part of the
school room itself may be the work
shop.
''Blacksmithing and repair work: the
making of single trees. neck yokes,
wagon boxes, gates. fences: cement
work. where wood is expensive and
clay, sand and gravel at hand for the
taking may all form a logical part of
manual work in rural schools. Once
parents are interested the way will
open.
Prof. Kennedy said: THE, child
needs first, a happy home. and second.
a happy school. The teacher should
get the children OH her side and be a
stimulator rather than a forcer. En-
courage children to self-activity and
avoid doing things for them. just give
them the needed direction as q driver
turns the course OF a spirited horse.
Children like to just feel the reins.
Better teach them a few things we'll
than many only half mastered"
State Supt. Taylor paid high compIi-
ment to the western part of the state
and said the eastern part would have
to look we'll to its ]aurels if it kept
them.
Ten years ago in five counties of this
association Dunn. Mckenzie. Adams,
Hettinger and Bowman there was not
a single school. Now there are 500.
Billings then had IL and now has $50.
Stark and Morton have double the num-
Der they had 10 years ago.
Much is said about the superior edu-
c%ational advantages of the city. But
the same state law applies to the
country and rural districts can have
just as good schools as they wish to
have. A canvass Of the state shows
but 80 districts having the maximum
tax levy. Most have not more than ia
per cent of the amount the law allows
showing that more money can be raised
when the people wish better schools.
The business session resulted in the
choice of Mott as the next place Of
meeting, the claims of THE Spot
being enthusiastically presented per-
sonally by Miss Steake and also
through a communication from the
Commercial Club read by her.
Miss Steake of Mott was elected presi-
dent Miss Wagner of Adams county,
vice president and Supt. Scott of the
Mott schools, secretary.
Friday evening the program opened
with a violin solo by Mrs. Messersmith
with Mrs. Jessen at the piano. This
popular violinist was at her best and
kindly gave a second selection in answer
to continued applause.
The teachers sextet-Misses Mum,
Pennington, Beebe. Mitchell, Hillesheim
and Summers-Gave the next number
which was very popular with the audi
ence and the ladies were recalled.
The retiring. vice president, M.
Tschida of Glen Ullin. president of the
school board, spoke for a few minutes
on the need of getting school officers to
attend these meetings. He thought
things would 60 better if they heard the
discussion.
Supt. Berg introduced the speaker of
the evening. Prof. Joseph Kennedy, as
the Dean of the teachers college and
one ofthe choicest spirits of our state
Prof. Kennedy chose for his subject
THE Power of Suggestions"
He showed the power of a suggestive
idea in various fields by numerous illus
trations how the body and mind act in
the same direction. as a law fol-
being: how this is seen in every field
of action; in practical everyday
affairs. in imitation, in disease, in
crime, and in conduct generally. The
force of a suggested idea was illustrated
in criminal life and action, as we'll az
in conduct. Examples were Given Of
its sway on a LARGER scale in society
and in history. 1t was shown that the
Greater part of the teachers, the
parents and the pastors work con.
aiata in suddestions fnr dond. II Sva,