The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-12-31

Valuable in Emphasizing Needs of the
Schools.

A county educational rally for Tai
bot county, Maryland, recently held at
Easton, the county seat, illustrates the
value of this method of arousing inter
est in the needs of the schools. Every
school for white children in the county
sent pupils; some schools seat their en-
tire enrolment. Over 500 out OF 1900
children in the schools for white children
in the county were present, accompanied
by teachers, parents, and others inter
ested in education. All of Easton turned
out to assist, and approximately $500
adults from outside of Easton were pres
ent,
The program for the day included
athletic events, a spelling match, a
luncheon provided in part by the domes-
tic science department of the Easton
high school, a school procession, pag-
cant, and addresses by prominent edu-
Gators.
The school procession was an inspir-
ing sight. The 1000 childrer, their
teachers, the local school trustees, the
county board of school commissioners.
and the prominent visitors were in line.
The procession was headed by the prin-
eipal of the high school as a mounted
marshal and with him rode "Uncle
Sam" Following came pupils in cos
tune, who later took parti the pag-
cant, and the children in school groups.
Most of the girls wore white dresses
and carried American flags. The boys
also carried flags. Each group marched
under a banner giving the name OF the
school. The school trustees, visitors,
etc, rode in decorated automobiles fol-
lowing the children. The parade was
over a mile in length and was viewed
by many thousands of people from Eas-
ton and all parts Of the country.
The historical pageant, entitled "The
March of the Centuries" was presented
by the pupils Of the Easton high school.
1t was devised and staged by the prin-
cipal Of the school. The first scene
showed group of Indians crouching on
the platform in front of a woodland
scene. Two Indian maidens sang an In
dian song. This was followed by the
entrance of Columbus and his followers.
The remaining tableaux pictures, the
landing of the Pilgrims, George Wash
ington and the Colonial Danes, the sur
render of CORVALLIS, the death of Perry.
the war with Mexico, and the surren-
der of Lee. For final scene, all of
the characters were grouped on the stage
on either side of Uncle Sam and Miss
Columbia. Following the tableaux were
speeches by the state superintendent OF
public education, and the congressman
of the district in which Talbot county
is located.
The purpose of the rally was to stir
up interest in education in order to Sc
cure legislative action for the improve.
ment of the schools of the state and es-
pecially those located in rural districts.
Similar rallies are being held in other
counties of the state. 1t is the purpose
of the state board to hold such rallies
in every county before the next meet
ing of the legislature. The state board
of education is especially anxious to Gre
ate sentiment which win result in ia
vorable action by the state legislature
on the following measures:
j. An increased state appropriation for
common schools.
2. A state supervisor of rural schools
as an assistant to the state superintend-
ent of public instruction.
3. A statewide compulsory education
law.
4. A minimum term of at least seven
months for all colored schools.
5. Teacher training courses in APP
proved high schools under the auspices
of the state board of education.
6. A state supported summer school
for rural teachers.
These educational rallies are doing
much toward building up the needed
sentiment. The state superintendent ex-
plains to the audiences at these rallies
the condition of the schools of the state
and what is needed for Improvement.
An outside person is obtained for each
meeting who can contrast the strength
and weakness of the Maryland public
schools with those of, other states and
who can also explain how the proposed
plans for improvements are working our
elsewhere.
Each meeting is in charge of the coun-
ty superintendent. Success depends
largely upon his ability to get people
To attend