Evening times-Republican., 1913-12-30
Al Edueatiena! Day In Maryland.

A county educational rally for Talbot
county. Maryland, recently held al
Easton, the county seat, illustrates the
value of this method OF arousing in
tefest in the needs Of the schools
Every school for white children in the
county sent pupils; some schools sent
their entire enrolment. Over 1900 ou,
OF $500 children in the schools for
white children in the county were pres
ent, accompanied by teachers, parents
! and others interested in education. All
of Easton turned out to assist. and
approximately $500 adults from outside
Of Easton were present.
The program for the day included
athletic events. q spelling match, a
luncheon provided In part by the do
mestic science department Of the
Easton high school. school process
sion. q pageant, and addresses by
prominent educators.
The school procession was an inspir-
Ing sight. The 1900 children. 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
principal OF the high school as q
mounted marshal. and with him rode
Uncle SAM" Following came pupils
in costume, who later took part In the
pageant, and the children in school
groups. Most Of the girls wore white
dresses and carried American flags.
The boys also carried hags. Each
group mached under banner giving
the name OF the school. The school
trustees. visitors. ETC.. rode in decor
ated automobiles following the chill
dren. The parade was over a mile in
length and was viewed by many thous-
and people from Easton and all parts
Of the county.
The historical pageant. entitled '"The
March Of the Centuries" was presented
by pupils Of the Easton high school 1t
was devised and staged by the prin-
cipal OF the school. The first scene
showed q group Of Indians crouohing
on the platform IN front Of a wood
land scene. Two Indian maidens sang
an Indian song. This was followed by
the entrance OF Columbus and his fol-
lowers The remaining tableaux pic
lures the landing OF the Pilgrims.
George Washington and the colonial
danes. the surrender OF Corvallis. the
death OF Perry, the war with Mexico.
and the surrender Of Leo. For final
scene all OF the characters were
grouped on the stage on either side OF
Uncle Sam and Miss Columbia. Fol-
lowing the tableaux were speeches by
the state superintendent Of public edu-
cation a representative OF the United
States bureau OF education. and the
congressman Of the district in which
Talbot county is located.
The purpose OF the rally was to stir
u <N
secure legislative action for the I'M
provement OF fhe schools Of the state
and especially 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
tho next meeting OF the legislature.
The state board Of education Is especi-
ally anxious to create sentiment wnicn
will result in favorable action by the
state legislature on the following
measures:
I. An increased state appropriation
for common schools.
g. A state supervisor OF rural
schools as an assistant to the state
super,ntendent Of public instruction.
3. A state wide compulsory educa-
tion law.
4. A minimum term Of at least sew
en- months for all colored schools.
5. Teacher training courses In ap-
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
explains to the audiences at these rail-
lies the condition of the schools Of the