Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-10-09
STATE TEACHERS
At MONTPELIER
Big Registration for Convention
Pres. Thomas of Middle
bury Speaks


association commenced at Montpelier
this afternoon under very good conditions
the City Hall was packed TO the doors for
the first meeting, which will indicate a
large registration of teachers.
The feature Of the afternoon was the
address by DR.. John Thomas, president
Of M'ddeoury College in place of p. p
Claxton, commissioner of education at
Washington. d. c., who wired that he
could not attend because he has been ap-
pearng before the L. s. Senate committee.
He spoke upon Demands which the New
World viii Make Upon Public Educa-
ton" For the first few minutes. Mr..
Thomas spoke humorously of his appear
ance on short notice to fill places
assigned man Of national reputa-
lion and then settled down to
serious consideration of ,he problem whish
faces this as we'll AS other countries
connected with the scnool systems. He
pointed out defect which has existed
since the enactment of the law of 1895
whereby children are allowed to secure
high school tuition and go to a foreign
town from Monday until Saturday with
out supervision and care. just at the time
that It should be given them. He dis
cussed its peril, claiming the State has
not paying enough attention to producing
manhood He urged an amendment to the
above law so that supervision over the
young people would take place and re-
ferred to the temptations. how the chill
dren are placed in small rooms without
suitable conditions. often children Of diff
ferent families rooming together or
grouping without supervision.
He said some trustees of schools in the
State pay too much attention to money
getting instead of raising the standard
of their schools. He called attention TO
the responsibility which the United
States now possessed. having become a
world power through the war and that
this nation must realize it has that re-
sponsibility and assume it by extension
In every manner
AT the afternoon session the Rev.
Charles st. John Of Montpelier offered
the prayer and then Mayor II. c. Shurt-
left welcomed the teachers to the city.
He spoke of the troubles that this ma
tion has had in the past with socialists
and the like, comparing them to the
present trouble here and that the present
trouble in the other countries as due to
the same forces, but that this nation
has and will defeat that class OF trouble
makers. But there is job for the
teachers to do in connection with this.
He felt that where the people have been
under the education OF the teachers of
Vermont no trouble will develop. He
spoke of the ideals of the teachers.
Mrs Margaret Kelley. president Of the
association was unable to be present and
Mrs ldc of st. Johnsbury read her re-
sponse and a short address upon the
ir lob
planned how the system of placing mex
perenced teachers in the rural schools
is wrong, that these should be placed
where they would have but grade. for
the rural school has too many problems
for the young teacher, while the pay Is
too small in the rural schools to retain
the experienced teachers. She wanted
better supervision of the work
The remainder of the first days pro-
gram included a conference in knights
OF Columbus hall upon kindergarten with
II. d. Casey Of Springfield presiding, and
discussions being carried out according to
program.
The weather conditions were most
favorable and large number Of the
teachers came by automobile, many ma
chimes being seen lined along the curbing
next to the school. City Hall and other
public buildings.
The book exhibits in the basement of
City Hall are better than usual. while
the exhibit Of the Johnson Normal school
in the auditorium is especially attractive.
The rooming committee of Montpelier
seemed to be able to handle the problem
all right there having been plenty Of
rooms in spite of the fright which vas
given the committee earlier In the week
for fear that there would not be sufficient
rooms.