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TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE.ClIESKYVILI.E, f.A,. (March 22, 1889. )The Institute heretofore called met at the above named place and proceeded as follows:Capt. Long, Parish Superintendent, called the Institute to order and delivering the following address:Ladies, Gentlemen and friends:School ollleers and teachers arc here, in Cheney villi', in this intelligent community, in pursuit of a common object. We are here to perforin, to the best of our ability, one among the many important duties of our lives. We arc here for the purpose «f trying to discover the best method that can be found to educate the sous and the daughters of the citizens of our parish.We are anxious to advise with all those who feel an interest in our work, in reference to the best method for us to pursue in order to gain the desired end we have in view, that is so much needed and is of such paramouut importance.The work we are trying to accomplish is of slow growth; full of care and anxiety and trouble; full of grave responsibilities; full of interest to all of our people, but it is of so much importance, so absolutely necessary for the future welfare of our parish, that we have taken hold of the work determined to give to it the steady, patient thought it deserves ; the unflinching, resolute labor it needs and ought to have; never growing weary, never giving up, but always facing the difficulties that present themselves to os; quietly, patiently, firmly removing them out of our way as best we can.Preparing children for future life, by educating Ihcm, so that they will I be able to sheer the snares and pitfalls that arc sure to beset them as they travel along life’s journey; teaching them to love justice, because it is right; teaching them the importance of, and the benefits that are to be derived from strictly observing the laws of morality and virtue, is a grand and noble work. A work that ought to have the careful consideration, the active sympathy, support, and assistance of ail our citizens.We who are actively engaged in the cause of education, to whom you have trusted the most precious of ail your earthly treasures, (the care of your children m whom are centered the hopes of the world) we need and expect to have your active assistance in all legitimate ways that will aid us in our school work. Ho who lives entirely in the narrow groove of self, has widely missed life’s most important duties, and knows ntrthiog of the pleasurest hat. come to him who lives a better, nobler and higher life. The man ' who lives a life of usefulness, assisting his fellow man, as he is able, may not be rich in this world’s goods but he is rich in that which Is far better; rich in knowing he has done his duty; rich in the knowledge that the world has been bene-fitted by his having lived in it; rich in the satisfaction that comes from having helped his fellow man when in need; rich in the fact that life is made up of little upon little, until the end comes, each act being justly rewarded, nothing is lost. Kven a cup of cold water, properly given, will not lose its reward.My friends it is a grand and glorious thing to live, but there is a condition attached to life. We must live right. We must do our duty. There is something for every man to do, and in order to know what it is. he must learn; he must he educated 90 that he may know what his duty is, aud education costs money. Money never has been and Dever will be more wisely expeuded than when used in obtaining an education. Education is useful as long as life lasts. It cannot be lost or given away ; neither can it be stolen.Education has been prominently before the people of the United States for the past ten yearB. It has been discussed by the ablest of the leading men in our nation. Men of high literary attainments; of deep, profound learning, of original ideas, who think for themselves, searching for the truth, and never rest until it is found. Men who are willing and anxious to use erne hundred million dollars of government money to educate the children who are our country’s growing citizens. They realize that the safety of our free institutions is largely dependent upon the intelligence of the masses of our citizens.It lias been for many years and still is the wise and cherished policy of onr national government, to educate her children through the medi- • iidi of public schools. This is right— just as it ought to be, for in a few more years the children of to-day will he our country’s rulers and surely they ought to be prepared to rule with justice and economy to the ruled; prepared to rule with credit to themselves and with honor to our country.Our Police Jury is composed ol the best of our representative men, who know their duty and are willing to perform it. They have done well. They have increased our school tax one mill on the dollar. Let them do better by increasing our school tax one-half mill more giving two and one-half mills on the dollar for school purposes. Do not mistake my meaning. I do not want our taxe3 increased, but I do want a larger percentage of the taxes that arc collected* devoted to educational purposes. This can be done without placing any additional burthen upon onr people and without material injury to any interest, aud then we can and will have good schools in every neighborhood in our parish ten months in each year. The school directors of this parish will do in the future as they have in the past all they can to increase the efficiency of our public schools. The reputation of our schools are now second to none of the country parishes in our State, and the credit of making them what they are, justly helongs to the steady, persistent efforts of our teachers to continually improve upon all their past work. It is with pleasure we extend our thanks to the teachers who have so faithfully and so nobly performed their duties in their school rooms.Iicforc closing I will read the statistical report of seven important cities of the United States, showing how much they pay on the dollar for school purposes: Brooklyn,. 5.81mills; Chicago, 10.08; Cincinnati, 4.4; Columbus, 0.9; Cleveland, 4.1 Nashville, 3.9; Milwaukee, 3.9. Itapides Parish gives two mills on the dollar, of assessed value, for education, which is 51| per cent, of the least amount, and 19.9 of the largest amount given by any of the cities nsmcd. Chicago gives a little over five times as much as Rapides. The figures tell all that need to be told. No comment on them is necessary.I hope you will pardon me for using so much of your time. Mv excuse fur the length of remarks is my interest in, and the importance of, the subject that is before us.Ladies, your prcse-nec gives us much encouragement in our efforts to increase our educational facilities.Woman was God’s last, best and • noblest gift to man, and to her influence and assistance we must look for help to elevate the human race.After which Prof. Calvit took charge as Mauagcr of the Institute, and further explained in his happy manner the great importance of these institutes in promoting a more 1 lively interest in educational work.'The local choir at Cheneyville, led by Miss Daisey Dean, as organist, rendered music which wss inghlv appreciated by the audience.Prof. T. R. Bussell read an ahle essav on “Higher Education Among the Masses.” His ideas were logicid and brilliantly expressed. The audience evinced their appreciation in an enthusiastic manner.Then followed an essay by Prof. J. W. Britt on the subject of “How to Teach.” The writer presented some ideas which are quite practical in a school room and also gave many illustrations of successful teaching.Miss Alice Pierson then read quite an interesting essay on the “Outlines of Geography. This young lady presented many interesting thoughts on this science. The essay was evidently the fruit of much careful thought and was expressed in elegant language. ML* Piersonthen gave a practical illustration of the method of teaching Geography in sand moulding.Mrs. D. E. Lewis read an essay on “The Reciprocal Duty of' Parents and Teacher.” By order of the bouse tfiis essay was sent to T. T. for publication.The Institute then adjourned foi refreshments.The first essay in the afternoon was read by Mrs. Lizzie Leake. Subject: “The Difference between Teaching School and Keeping , School.” The essay expressed quite a cultured sentiment in the -writer as to the kindly treatment the ; teachers should manifest and in the discipline of the student. The idea , held, out in the essay was that kind treatment was the best policy.Prof. J. W. Gordon read an essay on “Drawing.” He disclosed quite , a familiarity with this subject and : showed its refining influence on the minil. lie gave many illustration'' ' of its vitility in cultivating the ta9te i and the discriminating powers of the lt;mind.“Importance of Rudiments! Train-ing in our Schools” waB presented by Miss Bonny Wood in a very • pleasant manner.Miss T. Ware expressed her views ‘ on “The Uniform System of Teaching in the Public Schools.’’ She thinks it impossible and perhaps not . practical to attempt a uniform system of teaching, especially in a uniform course of text books. Miss Ware displayed in her essay many 1 valuable thoughts on the art of teaching, and favorably impresses an I audience by her cultivated and pleasing style. jRev. J. II. Coulson discussed at considerable length, the various I bearings of Education in a practical way. Mr. Coulson is a ready reader and expresses his ideas in a clear, j forcible manner.Prof. Calvit read quite a learned essay on the “Effects of Alcohol and Narcotics on the Human System.” The Professor, as he always does, prc- 1 sented his subject io that clear, cultivated style which captivates an audience. He illustrated his subject by mean3 of a chart showing the different stages the organs of the 1 human system undergo in the use of these destructive elements.A recitation by Miss Eloizc Daigre, 1 Subject: Chambered Nautilus.”At intervals during these proceed- lt;■ ings the choir rendered several excellent pieces of music which added ( much interest to the occasion.Most of these subjects were discussed by the Teachers present, and much valuable information was pre- 1 sented.It is to be hoped that these Inati- \ tutes have been of great beneflt to the Teachers and members, and that a bigiier standard will be obtained in our Parish.The following resolutions were offered, and unanimously adopted: Resoloed, That the members of the Teachers’ Institute of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, do hereby express their approval of what is known y as the Biair Bill now pending in Congress for assisting the common schools; and we do hereby heartily 1 request our members in Congress to use all legitimate means in their power to secure its passage, provided ) it does not, in their opinion, curtail the constitutional functions of the states.Resolved, That the thanks and gratitude of the teachers and officers of this Institute are due and hereby tendered the generous i hearted citizens of Cheneyville, for their courtesy und broad hospitality in their princely entertainments of onr said body; and especially to the organist. Miss Daisey 1 Dean, and the young ladies and gentlemen of the church choir, for the 1 sweet, touching music rendered during our session, (Resoloed, That the thanks of our Institute be extended our progressive journals, Town Talk and Democrat, 1 for the generous use of their col- ) umns in publishing the former work of this body, aud that they be requested to print the proceedings of 1 this meeting. 'Resoloed, That the names of absent teachers appear in the published y minutes of Institutes held in the different localities, as well as the names of the Teachers who are present at these Institutes. yList of Teachers present: W. J. Calvit, J. W. Britt. J. H. Coulson, II. J. Daigre, J. W. Gordon, T. R. 1 Russell, Edwin Orr, Mi9s Eloize Daigre, Mr9. L. Leake. Mrs. D. E. ] Lewis,. Miss A. Pierson, Miss 11. Wood. MissT. Ware. 1List of Teachers absent: Miss A. Winn, Mrs. A. A. Miller, Mr. E. P. ' Bruce, J. Wr. Hogan, J. E. Boeland. ■ D. B. Robert, W, G. Rudisill, Miss A. Waters, Mrs. M. Neal, J. Wat- ] son, Jos. E. Robert. Mrs. D. L. Hooe, Sirs. K. A. Mai hews, Sirs. I L. A. Armstrong, T. S. Smith, Miss M. Siatum, Mrs. SI. O. Grayson, Mr. J. T. Patton, J. T. Black- i well, A. J. Jibaw, Sliss. L. Walker, Mrs. E. L. Robert, Mrs. Taylor, Sirs. M. V. Crawford, I. C. Price. 1 List of honarary members: Stanley i Tanner, W. P. Ford, U. II. Johns, D. Levy, F. V. Moutoo, Dr. R. I Kilpatrick, C. G. McCormick, E. O. Ware, Mrs. U. H. Johns, Mrs. Leroy Stafford, Mrs. T. C. Ford. Miss Estelie Weil, Miss Daisey I Dean, Dr. Capell, Miss Rosa Weil, Miss Laurie Huie, Mrs. J. R. Sloore, Mrs. Chas, Tanner, Sirs. Stanley Tanner, Sliss Kate Wiley. Miss '• Staple Wiley, Miss Holly Taylor, . Sliss Sallie Audehert, Miss Ida ‘ Cheney, Sliss Mary Ford, Miss Alice Robert, Miss Jennie Jackson, S. , Blum, John Marshall, Herbert Kil-' ’ patrick, Miss Eleanor Marshall, B. F. Scott.J. W. Calvit,I). F- Lis win. Institute Manager.Secretary.
Newspaper Details
The Louisiana Democrat
Alexandria, Louisiana, US
Wed, Apr 03, 1889
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
East B.
LA, USA 21 May 2025
Other Publications Near Alexandria, Louisiana
Rapides Gazette
The Louisiana Democrat
The Caucasian
The Constitutional
