Page 120 - Cornelius Hedges Story

107 The Cornelius Hedges Story

The Lecture of Superintendent Hedges delivered at the evening
session, on the “Reciprocal Duties of Parents and Teachers,” was
well received by his auditors. It was replete with practical thoughts
and suggestions.

SECOND DAY
Opened with prayer by Rev. F. A. Riggin. A discussion on the
subject of “Mathematical Studies,” was ably conducted by Messrs.
A. J. Bennett, C. Hedges, and W. Marshall. Address by County
Superintendent Purdum, on “Bookkeeping.” Mr. Purdum handled
his subject in the manner that showed his thorough knowledge of
the science.
The afternoon session was opened with an address by W. I.
Marshall on “Geography.”
Recitation and class drill in mental arithmetic in which Messrs.
Hedges, Bennett, Sturges, Purdum, and Marshall, volunteered as
pupils, and Miss Maria Purmort conducted the recitations. Messrs.
Hedges and Marshall followed with a discussion on the subject.
Essay by Mrs. L. Fitch on “Mineralogy.” An elegant paper, doing
great credit to the accomplished authoress.
The following persons were elected officers for the ensuing year:
Amos Purdum, President; Miss Maria Purmort, Vice President; Mrs.
L. Fitch, Secretary; J. B. Baker, Treasurer.
The evening session opened with a lecture by D. B. Sturges,
on the subject of “Vocal Music in our Public Schools.” This was a
really brilliant effort on the part of the lecturer; his points were well
taken and ably argued, while his elocution was excellent.
Messrs. Hedges, Sturges, Bennett, Deimling, and Riggin,
discussed the subject of “School Discipline.” This discussion gave
the disputants a fine opportunity to show their facetious proclivities.
Mr. Hedges and Mr. Riggin were particularly happy in this vein. Mr.
Hedges didn’t believe in rod discipline, Mr. Riggin did. The latter
gentleman claimed that he owed much of his moral success in life
to the very liberal amount of pounding he’d received in his youthful
days, both in and out of school. The discussion was interesting and
amusing.
After a vote of thanks to the Temple of Honor for the use of the
Hall, the Institute adjourned sine die.345
To give the other side of the debate between Mr. Hedges and
Rev. Riggin, The Madisonian, in the same issue, printed Hedges’
remarks and ideas.