358 27 py 1 STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION 1870 — 1920 COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION 1845 — 1920 State of Rhode Island COMMEMORATION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN RECOGNITION' tf the FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY c/ the CREATION OF THE State Board of Education AND OF THE SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE Commissioner of Education COMMEMORATIVE EXERCISES HELD AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE OF EDUCATION DECEMBER 3, 1920 Address by Hon. John H. Finley President of the University- of the State of New York and Commissioner of Education Greetings and Messages from Civic and Educational Institutions Reception Complimentary Dinner to the State Board of Education by the Rhode Island Institute of Instruction Addresses by Commissioners of Education of New England States, and others State of Rhode Island BOARD OF EDUCATION, 1920 Hon. George T. Baker Hon R. LmNQBTOM Beeckman Hon. Joseph R. Bourgeois Hon. E. Charles Francis Hon. Frank Hill Hon. Frederick Rueckert Hon. Frank E. Thompson Hon. Emery J. San Soici rC •t »• FOREWORD Rhode Island public education in its organization and administration is a distinctive type of American public education. Its development affords the student of public education fruitful experience of rare interest and value. The law creating our state system of public schools seventy-five years ago was pre- pared by and its administration for a time was entrusted to an eminent educator and constructive statesman, Henry Barnard. That law and that service initiated a continuity of improvement in educational law and practice and a permanency of progressive policy which has characterized Rhode Island public education for three quarters of a century. The creation of the State Board of Education fifty years ago was an issue of the experience of twenty-five years, in which the need of it in our state educational organization was revealed. It marked an increase of state responsibility for public education and to meet the growing responsibility it enlarged and strengthened the state's educational agencies. For fifty years the integrity of public education has been dependent in high degree on the legislative and administrative service of the Board of Education. Its members, elected by the General Assembly, by whose acts our educational organization has been created, developed and is now governed, representing the people of this state and charged with official responsibility for the education of the public's children and youth, have been conversant with educational needs and in touch with the power and means to meet such needs. No body of men is more deserving of grateful recognition and honor than the Board of Education, whose members are the trustees of our institution of public education with its three thousand teachers and one hundred thousand pupils and whose members for half a century have cared for the people's educational interests with devotion and wisdom. The growing importance of state administration in education has been indicated not only by advance in law and practice, but also by growth in our public school system. In the past seventy-five years the number of public schools has increased from 428 to 2,256, our school year from 80 to 194 days, our school population from 25,782 to 121,251, the number of our teachers from 517 to 2,966 and our school revenues from $55,055 to $4,144,141.29. Fifty years ago eighty-five thousand dollars were annually expended for school buildings and in recent years the sum annually expended for this purpose had risen above nine hundred thousand dollars, while the value of the property of our public schools and educational institutions approximates $15,000,000. This souvenir is presented in recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of the creation of the State Board of Education and of the seventy-fifth of the appoint- ment of the Commissioner of Education. It has been prepared by Dr. Carroll, author of "Public Education in Rhode Island" and ardent teacher of the meaning and worth of our public education service. It gives an outline of the development of our system of public education, its advance in legislation, its improvement in practice, its expansion in public responsibility, and of the service of the Board of Education, with sketches of the members and of the Commissioners. WALTER E. RANGER, Commissioner of Education 3 STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, 1870-1920 The creation of a State Board of Education was recommended to the General Assembly in 1855 by Commissioner of Public Schools Elisha R. Potter. A bill providing for a board substantially similiar in form and in method of selection to the existing board was presented to the General Assembly in that year, but no action was taken. Commisssioner Thomas W. Bicknell renewed the recommenda- l ion in 1870 as a part of his plan for strengthening the organization for the admin- istration of public education, and was successful in obtaining favorable action. To Mr. Bicknell unquestionably belongs the honor of achievement. The Board, with one exception, is the oldest in existence in Rhode Island. While the Board at its creation was clothed with substantial supervisory and advisory rather than functional authority, the General Assembly from the be- ginning accorded respectful attention to its recommendations. In 1871, on the recommendation of the State Board of Education, provision was made for the re-establishment of the Rhode Island Normal School, which was entrusted to the control and management of the Board and the Commissioner of Public Schools as a Board of Trustees On similiar recommendation legislation requiring town support of schools by appropriations equal at least to state appropriations, requir- ing the appointment of a superintendent of schools in each town, and requiring that every town should adopt a truancy ordinance, was enacted. When the first annual appropriation for the support of free public evening schools was made in 1873, the apportionment was entrusted to the Board, as was also the apportionment of the appropriation for free public libraries, first made in 1875. In a general way the legislation for supporting evening schools and free public libraries was of a new type; theretofore the apportionment of appropria- tions for public education had been determined by ratios specified in the statutes. While there had been in the seventy years from 1800 to 1870 a tendency to establish ratios in accord with a policy gradually developed of disbursing public school money with emphasis upon the need for support, attempts to solve this difficult problem of school administration had followed the line of refining ratios and rigid insistence upon an ultimate distribution reaching to the school district and the school as the primary units in the school organization. The evening school law, particularly, indicated a purpose to seek a solution of the problem of apportionment by disregarding the past, and the inclination of the General Assembly to strengthen the State Board of Education by entrusting to it the exercise of substantial functions. The precedent thus established has been followed in laws providing state support for high school education, special aid for deficient schools, and support for vocational and industrial education, medical inspection, supervision, and traveling libraries. Commissioner Bio-knell's vigorous campaign to eliminate illiteracy was con- tinued by Commissioner Stockwell, whom the logic and philosophy of his study of the problem led to a clear enunciation of the modern doctrine of compulsory school attendance. To both Commissioners the State Board of Education accorded earnest and effective support, and in the early eighties the Board's annual report repeatedly and consistently advocated legislation that should unmistakably be a "right-out, square declaration by the state that ignorance PAST MEMBERS, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION 1. \V. X. A. ki .1 v 2. D.H.Adams- .?. E. R, \nis I S. W. K. ALLEN 5. A. Aw HAMHw i,t 0. D. S. Bakeb 7. Z. R. Bliss B L.0 Boubm 9. D. R. Bbotto 10. Melville Bull 11. R. B. Burchabd 12. T II . ('uhkk 13. S.H.Cross 14. C. R. Cxjtlbb 15. L. B. DABLHJq shall l>e stamped out and every child ( rod has made capable of intelligent citizen- ship shall be qualified as such." A series of legislative enactments— establishing an annual school census, providing for the appointment of truant officers, grad- ually extending required attendance from part to a complete school year and by age until Hi years was reached, and regulating the employment of children — indicate the progressive movement toward a nearly perfect compulsory attend- ance law. The Board's campaign for compulsory attendance and for the solution of the problem of administration by abolition of the school district and estab- lishing the town as the primary school unit were continued longer in periods of t ime than any others, and involved more serious difficulties because both measures conflicted with "established interests." Recently the Beard has taken a firm stand against and has succeeded in eradicating a practice of charging enrollment fees in public evening schools that was clearly contrary to the spirit of the law and dangerous as an insidious under- mining of the principle that public education should be free of charge and restric- tion. At the opening of the World War, when with the discovery of subtle propaganda against American institutions and democracy attention was turned to disloyal teaching in schools in other sections of the country, the Board pre- scribed a pledge of loyalty for teachers, to which all subscribed. An investigation conducted by the Commissioner of Public Schools showed no disloyalty among Rhode Island teachers. While it is true that the General Assembly has not invariably followed the recommendations of the Board by enacting legislation immediately upon its first request, there has been in most instances a substantial ratification of the policy of the Board through legislation within a short period. The long series of laws and amendments to laws to which every General Assembly since 1870 has made a contribution is convincing evidence of the esteem in which the General Assembly has held the Board of Education and of a recognition accorded to it. In 1896 the General Assembly requested the Board of Education to prepare and report "measures by which the state shall still further supplement the revenues and efforts of the towns to the end that the system of public schools throughout the state shall be uniformly of the highest attainable standard." Following the Board's report the General Assembly in 1898 passed "An Act to Secure a More Uniform High Standard in the Public Schools of the State," a law that made provision for state support for public high schools, and for consolidation of schools, and also for a state system of certificating teachers. Upon recommendation of the Board the General Assembly of 1920 has appointed a special commission to make a study of school finance and administration, to make a report in January, 1921. The recommendation followed a careful review of elements contributing to a crisis in public education indicating the necessity for legislative action following a discriminating investigation of causes and remedies. It was entirely consistent with the policy of entrusting to the State Board of Education the control of the Normal School as the state's principal agency for the preparation of teachers that the examination and certification of teachers should ultimately be entrusted to it. Both measures established precedents for educa- tional legislation of a type written in liberal and general terms, and leaving details of administration to the Board. In this respect they were similar to and consis- tent with the evening school law and the free public library law. The statutes establishing teachers' pensions and graduate courses in education for teachers at 6 Brown University, and making provision for vocational and industrial education and for traveling libraries follow these precedents 'The General Assembly in these measures has provided ways and means, and entrusted the details of ad- ministration to the Board. So also the apportionment of scholarships and the appointment of state scholars at the Rhode Island School of Design, Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, and Brown University are entrusted to the Hoard. Inten- sion of opportunities for public education to persons who may not avail themselves of the service of the public schools has been a function of the Board. Thus the education of the blind of all ages is administered by the Board. Under its admin- istration the Rhode Island Institute for the Deaf, the State Home and School, and the Exeter School were inaugurated, though these institutions are at the present time controlled by other agencies. The Board also serves as a State Board for Vocational Education, with authority to cooperate for the State of Rhode Island with the Federal Board for Vocational Education. SKETCHES OF MEMBERS OF BOARD WILLIAM NICHOLS ACKLEY, 1886-1890, was born in East Haddham, Conn., Oct. 13, 1840. He was graduated from Trinity College, Hartford, 1863, and studied divinity at Berkley School, Middletown. lie was rector of churches at Danielsonville, and Newton, Conn., and of St. Mark's Church, Warren. He was elected to the school committee of Warren shortly after moving there. He was Superintendent of Schools in Warren, 1877. DWIGHT R. ADAMS, 1880-1804, was born in Lisbon, Conn., Dec. 11, 1823. Educated in public and private schools, while employed in farming in summer time, he taught school in the winter from 1840 to ISP). He moved to War- wick in 1849, and continued teaching in Warwick, Woonsocket, and ( Joventry Center until 1890. He served as member of school committee of Warwick for 16 years and for 10 years was Superintendent of Warwick public schools. He died in August, 1894. EDWIN R. ALLEN, 1894-1897, of Hopkinton, was born in Windham, Conn., Nov. 26th, 1840, and was educated in the schools of his native town and at Eaglcswood, N. J. He enlisted in Company A, Seventh Regiment, R. I. Volunteers, August, 1862; and was Corporal, Sergeant Major, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, and was mustered out as Captain. He was Lieutenant Governor, 1894-1897. SAMUEL WARD KING ALLEN, 1894-1913, of Last Greenwich, was born in North Kingstown, Jan. 2, 1842, and was educated at East Greenwich Aca- demy, New York Conference Seminary, and Boston University Law School. He was first Sergeant in the regular army during the War of the Rebellion. Be was Superintendent of Public Schools in Easl Greenwich for several years; Representative in the General Assembly, 1885 -86 and IS'.U lS'.M. and Speaker, 1894. Be was a lawyer by profession. Be died in 1919. ADELARD ARCHAMBAULT, 1903-1904, was born in Canada, April 26, 1864, and was educated at the College of the Assumption, ( 'anada. and graduated from Laval University, I'. Q\, 1883. He was Representative from Woon- socket, 1900-1903. He is a member of the Rhode Island Bar. and has been Mayor of Woonsocket. He was Lieutenant Governor, 1903 1904, DAVID SHERMAN MAKER, 1882-188o, was horn in Wickford, Jan. 11, 1852. Be was graduated from Brown University, 1875, and admitted to the Rhode Island Mar, 1877. He was Superintendent of Schools, North Kingstown, six years; member of House of Representatives, two years; member of the Senate, three years; and United States District Attorney. Be was author of "History of the Town^of North Kingstown.'' He died January 27, L906. GEORGE T. BAKER, 1894-1920, was born in Providence, June 25, 1842. He was educated in the public schools. He served three months in the Civil War as Sergeanl in Company B, Tenth Rhode Island Volunteers. He represented Barrington in the State Senate, 1890-1894. In 1894, he was elected n memberof the State Hoard of Education, serving continuously until his death, February, 1920. R. LIVINGSTON BEECKMAN, 1915-1920, of Newport, was born in New York City, April 15, 1866, and received his education in the public schools of Newport. He was Representative from Newport, 1909-1911; Senator, 1912 1914; and has been Governor since January, 1915. ZENAS W. BLISS, 1910 1913, of Cranston, was born in Johnston, Jan. 10, 1867. He attended the public schools, and was graduated from University Grammar School. 1885, and from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as mech- anical engineer, 18N9. He was a member of the Cranston town council, 1901-1909, and president of that body, 1905-1909. He was Representative, PM).; 1909. and Deputy Speaker, 1909. He is Chairman of the State Tax Commission and a member of the Hoard of Managers of Rhode Island State College, lie was Lieutenant Governor, 1910-1913. JOSEPH R. BOURGEOIS, 1913-1920, was born in San Antoine, Richelieu, Quebec, April 16, 1803. He was educated in St. Hyacinth College, Laval University, and the Grand Seminary, Montreal. He was ordained priest at St. Hyacinth College. Previously he taught for four years at St. Hyacinth College. After ordination he was assigned to Notre Dame, Central Falls, for five years. He was afterwards sent to Woonsocket, where he built St. Ann's Gymnasium. He has been pastor of St. John's Church, Arctic, for the past 22 years. He has travelled extensively and is well-known as a lecturer. Al'GUSTUS O. BOURN, 1883-1885, was born in Providence, Oct, 1, 1834. He was graduated from Brown University, 1854. He served as Senator, 1876-83, and as Governor, 1883-85. D. RUSSELL BROWN, 1892-1895, was born in Bolton, Conn., March 28, 1848. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and later attended academies at Manchester and Hartford. He served in the common council of Providence, 1881-1885. He was Governor in 1892-1894. MELVILLE BULL, 1892-1894, of Middletown, was born in Newport, Sept. 29, 1 854. He was graduated from Harvard College, 1877. He was Representa- tive from Newport, 1883-1885, and Senator, 1885-1892. He was a member of the Board of Managers of the Rhode Island State College. He was Lieu- tenant Governor, 1892-1894, and Representative in Congress, 1895-1905. ROSWELL B. BURCHARD, 1913-1915, of Little Compton, was born in New York City, August 20, 1860. He was graduated from Eastman Business College; College of City of New York; and Harvard University Law School, 1903. He was Representative for Little Compton, 1905-1912, and was Speaker, 1907-1910. He was Lieutenant Governor, 1913-1915. THOMAS HARTWELL CLARKE, 1874-1882, was born in Jamestown, Nov. 26, 1834. He was educated at Adelphian Academy, Brockton, Mass. He was Superintendent of Public Schools, Newport, 1873-1882. He was a member of the school committee of Jamestown, 1S84-1S97. SAMUEL H. CR< >SS, 1N70-1882, 1885-1897, was born in Westerly, R. I., May, 1835. He was educated in Westerly, and at Norwich Academy, Vermont. He was Town Clerk, Westerly, 1859-1884; Senator from Westerly, 1869-18S2; State Auditor and Insurance Commissioner, 1882-1887; Secretary, Board of State Charities and Corrections, 1887-1888; Commissioner of Indians, 1877-1878; Postmaster in Westerly, 1888-1892; Overseer of the Poor in Westerly and member of the Westerly school committee for many years. He died in New York, July, 1898. PAST MEMBERS, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION 1. J.W.Davis 2. L. D. DaVIS 3. A. W. DENNIS I ELISHA DtER 5. II.H.FAy C.H.Fisheb 7 l r C Garvin 8 G w Gbeene 9 Wiiium GREGORY 10. J. H. HlQGINS 11. S. I!. II., si v 12. A. C. HOWARD. 13. Henry Howard 14. F. H. Jackson 15. J. E. Kendrick CHARLES RUSSELL CUTLER, 1872-1873, was bom in Ballston, X. Y., Dec. 10, 1822. In 1839 he removed to Warren, where he engaged as seaman. In twelve years had become master of his own ship. He was elected Lieuten- ant Governor in L872. He was a member of the town council of Warren and its President for many years. LUCIUS B. DARLING, 1885-1887, 1889-1891, of Pawtucket, was born in Bellingham, Mass., Oct. 3, 1827. He was Representative from the old town of North Providence, 1860-1863; served in the town council, and held other local offices. He was Lieutenant Governor, 1885-1887. JOHN WILLIAM DAVIS, 1887-1888, 1890-1891, of Pawtucket, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., March 7, 1826, and was brought up to farming. He was a member of the town council of Pawtucket, and President of the same in 1882, and in 1885. He was State Senator from Pawtucket, 1885-1886. He was twice elected Governor, 1887-1888, and 1890-1891. LUCIUS D. DAVIS, 1882-1885, was born in Jerusalem, N. Y., Jan. 21, 1825. He was a student at Franklin Academy and Wesleyan Seminary. In the ( raeida Conference, Rev. Mr. Davis occupied several of its most prominent pulpits, serving at Hartwick, New Hartford, Madison, Mahlens, Cortland, and Utica. In 1859, he removed to Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard. Thence he came to Warren, and later was in charge of the First Church of Newport. He purchased and published the Newport Daily News and later established the Newport Journal, a weekly paper. He published also "Life in Itinerancy," "Life in the Laity," "Creeds of Churches," "The Children in Heaven," "History of Methodism in Cortland." He was twice elected a member of the General Assembly from Newport. ARTHUR WELLINGTON DENNIS, 1909-1910, of Providence, was born in that city, April 11, 1846, and was educated at Providence High School. He was member of the Providence school committee for a number of years; member of the common council, three years; president of the common council, 1888-89; and member of the board of aldermen, 1890. He was Repre- sentative, 1905-1906; Deputy Speaker, 1905; and Speaker, 1906. He was Lieutenant Governor, 1909-1910. ELISHA DYER, 1897-1900, was born in Providence, Nov. 28, 1839. He was educated in the public schools, University Grammar School, Brown Univer- sity, and the University of Giessen, Germany, from which he was graduated in August, 1860, receiving the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. As Adjutant General, General Dyer corrected and completed the war records of the State, and from them compiled the Revised Report of the Adjutant^General of 1865. In 1877 he was elected State Senator from North Kingstown; in 1878, appointed by Governor Van Zandt a member of the State Board of Health for five years; in 1880 and 1881, elected a Representative from Providence. He was a member of the school committee of Providence, 1888-1897, and a member of the board of aldermen, 1891. He was Governor, 1897-1900. HENRY H. FAY, 1880-1883, was born in New Paltz, N. Y., in 1835. Graduated from University of Rochester in 1856, in the same year he established a school for boys at Newport. He was a member of the General Assemblv, 1875-1880, and was Lieutenant Governor, 1880-1883. CHARLES HARRIS FISHER, 1870-1881, was born June 30, 1822, at Killingly, Conn. He was educated at Dartmouth, Harvard, and the University of New York. He practiced medicine at North Scituate and at one time served as Superintendent of Public Schools. He was elected to the State Senate in 1869, and again in 1877-1879. He was appointed member of the State Board of Health, 1878, and in 1880 was made State Registrar of Vital Statistics and Commissioner of Public Health. He died in Buffalo, New York, November 12, 1893. 10 E. CHARLES FRANCIS, 1909-1920, was born in Utica, N. Y., Sept. 6, 1851. He was educated in the public schools of Cambridge, Mass. H<> removed to Woonsocket in 1870. He represented Woonsocket in the State Senate, 1894-1897. Has been a member of the State Board of Education since 1909. LUCIUS FAYETTE CLARK GARVIN, 1903-1905, was born in Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 13, 1841. He served during theCivil War asaprivate in the 51st Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. He was prepared for college at Greensboro, N. C, and entered Amherst College, from which be was graduated in the class of 18(52. From the Harvard Medical School be was graduated in 1867. He represented Cumberland in the General Assembly, 13 years in the House of Representatives, three years in the Senate. He was Governor 1903-1905. GEORGE WASHINGTON GREENE, 1870-1874, was born in East Greenwich, April 8, 1811. He served as United States Consul at Rome, 1837-1845, and for several years was professor of modern languages at Brown University. He was a member of the General Assembly, 1865. In 1872, he was made professor of American history at Cornell University. He wrote "Historical Studies," 1850; "History and Geography of the Middle Ages," 1851; "Bio- graphical Studies," 1860; "Historic Review of the American Revolution," 1865; "The German Element in the War of American Independence," 1876; "Short History of Rhode Island," 1877; several biographies of his grand- father, General Nathanael Greene; two works on botany and one on French grammar. He died in East Greenwich February 2, 1883. WILLIAM GREGORY, 1898-1901, of North Kingstown, was born at Astoria, N. Y., Aug. 3, 1849. He was Representative from North Kingstown, 1888- 1892; State Senator, 1894-1898. He was Lieutenant Governor, 1898-1900, and Governor, 1900-1901. In 1901, he was re-elected as Governor for the term beginning January, 1902, but died before being inaugurated. JAMES HENRY HIGGINS, 1907-1909, of Pawtucket, was born Jan. 22, 1876, in Saylesville, Lincoln, R. I. He was graduated from the Pawtucket High School, 1894; from Brown University, 1898; and from Georgetown Law School, 1900. He was Mayor of Pawtucket, 1903-1907, and Governor, 1907-1909. He is a lawyer. FRANK HILL, 1897-1920, of Hopkinton, was born in Ithaca, N. Y., June 28, 1861, and was graduated from Alfred University, 18S3. He was principal of the high school at North Loup, Nebraska, 1881-1882, and principal of the high school at Ashaway, 1882-1885. He represented Hopkinton in the General Assembly, 1893-1898, and was a member of the committee on educa- tion five years, four of which he was the chairman. He was influential in bringing about a survey of the public schools in 1896-1897, that resulted in the enactment in 1898 of "An Act to Secure a More Uniform High Standard in the Public Schools," a measure that contained provision for state support for high school education and for the consolidation of schools, and for state certification of all public school teachers. He has been a member of the State Board of Education since 1897. SAMUEL ROBERTSON HONEY, 1887-1888, of Newport, was born in London. England, June 14, 1842. He was educated in England. During the Civil War he was promoted successively from the rank of Corporal through the grades of Sergeant. Sergeant-Major, Second and First Lieutenant, and Adjutant to Captain in the regular army of the United States. He served with First Battalion, loth I'. S. Infantry, in the Army of the Cumberland from Jan. 13, 1863, to Sept. 1, 1864, taking part in the engagements at Hoover's Gap. Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Graysville, Ga., Dalton, Etesaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach 'Tree ( 'reek, [Jtoy < 'reek anil JonesborO. in which last engagement he was severely wounded, Sept. 1, 1864. He was brevetted 11 Captain for gallantry in action at Jonesboro. He served as acting Judge Advocate, Third Military District (staffs of Generals Pope and Meade successively) in L867 and L868 at Atlanta, Ga. He resigned from the army in 1870. He was admitted to the bar in Montgomery, Ala., and while a resident of Rhode Island was a lawyer. ALBERT C. HOWARD. 1877-1880, was born in Cranston, February 29, 1828. lie was educated at Smithfield Seminary. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted as a private, and was promoted to the office <>f First Lieutenant, and then Captain. 11th Regiment. R. I. Volunteers. He was a member of the General Assembly, 1873-1874, and Lieutenant Governor, 1877-1880. He died July 3, 1910. HENRY HOWARD, 1873-1875, was born in Cranston, R. I., April 2, 182G. He was ei Incited at the University Grammar School. He represented Coventry in the General Assembly, 1857-1858. Governor Howard was a vigorous writer, his contributions of prose and poetry and letters of travel being published in the Providence Journal and other newspapers. He was Governor of Rhode Island, 1873-1875. FREDERICK H. JACKSON, 1905-1908, of Providence, was born in Kirkland, X. Y., October 9, 1847. He was educated at Jackson Military Institute, Danburv, Conn., and Cornell University, 1873. He was Lieutenant Gover- nor, 1905-1908 JOHN E. KENDRICK, 1891-1914, was born in Providence, June 17, 1854. He was graduated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., 1876. He was a member of the Providence common council, 1890-1912, and of the Providence school committee, 1887-1910. He was a member of the State Board of Education from 1891 until he died in 1914. CHARLES DEAN KIMBALL, 1900-1903, of Providence, was born in that city, Sept. 13, 1859, and was educated in the public schools. He represented Providence in the General Assemblv, 1S94-1900, and was Lieutenant Governor from May, 1900, to Jan., 1902, and Governor, 1902-1903. HERBERT W. LADD, 1889-1890, 1891-1892, of Providence, was born in New Bedford, Oct. 15, 1843, and was educated in the public schools of that city. His news letters from various points in the south and west during the progress of the Civil War were of exceptional merit and interest. He was twice elected Governor, 1889-1890 and 1891-1892. ENOS LAPHAM, 1888-1889, of Warwick, was born in Burrillville, Sept, 13, 1821. He was educated in the public schools, and at Bushee's Seminary, Smithfield. He served as a member of the town council of Warwick. He was Senator from Warwick, 1886-1887, and Lieutenant Governor, 1888- 1889. DANIEL LEACH, 1870-1889, was born in Bridgewater, Mass., June 6, 1806. He was graduated from Brown University, 1830; studied divinity for two years at Andover, Mass., and was ordained, 1832. In 1837, he became principal of the Classical School of Roxbury, and later he was Agent of the Massachusetts State Board of Education. He was Superintendent of Public Schools in Providence, 1855-1889. He published several series of text-books for use in the public schools. He died in Providence. CHARLES WARREN LIPPITT, 1895-1897, was born in Providence, Oct. 8, 1846. He was prepared for college at the University Grammar School, and was graduated from Brown University, 1865. He was Governor, 1895-1897. HENRY LIPPITT, 1875-1877, was born in Providence, Oct, 9, 181S. He was educated at Kingston Academy. He was twice elected governor, 1875 and 1876. Governor Lippittdied in Providence in 1891. 12 PAST MEMBERS, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION 1. C.D.Kimball 2. H. W. Ladd 3. Daniei Leach ». C. \V. T.ippitt • r ). Henry I.iimmtt 6. A . II . In i i.ki ii.i.u 7. G. A. Littlepield 8 G I Locki 9. J.H.Manchester 10. F. E. McFee 11. Seth Padelpord 12. E. K. Parkeh 13. A. J. Pothieb 14. O.J EIathbun 15 G I Sheplei ALFRED HENRY LITTLEFIELD, 1880-1883, was born inScituate, April 2, L829. He was a member of the town council of Lincoln, 1873-1877; repre- sented Lincoln in the House of Representatives, 1876-1877, and in the Senate, 1878-1879. He was ( iovernor, 1SS0 INN3. In his annual message to the < reneral Assembly in 1882 he recommended the establishment of a state indus- trial school for dependent and unfortunate children, and also urged that the public school system he modified so as to prepare the children of the people for participation in the development of the manufacturing and industrial interests of the state. He died in Lincoln, Dec. 21, 1893. DANIEL G. LITTLEFIELD, 1889-1890, ofLincoln, was born in North Kings- town, Nov. 23, 1822. He represented Northampton for two years in the House of Representatives of Massachusetts. He was elected Lieutenant Governor, 1889. GEORGE ABNER LITTLEFIELD, 1885-1889, was born in Chelsea, Mass., Feb. 11, 1851. He was graduated from Kimball Union Academy, and from Harvard University, 1878. He taught in Weymouth, Danvers and Maiden, being the first Superintendent of Schools in Maiden. He served as Superin- tendent in Lawrence, as a supervisor in Boston, and in Newport as Superin- tendent of Schools, 1882-1889. He was Principal of the Rhode Island Nor- mal School, 1889-1892. He was Representative in the General Assembly from Providence, 1895-1897, and 1900-1901. As an orator he is remembered for his addresses on Abraham Lincoln and Daniel Webster, which be delivered many times in New England. Mr. Littlefield died suddenly in Providence on Aug. 28, 1906. GEORGE LYMAN LOCKE, 1871-1886, was born in Boston, Mass., Aug. 28, 1835. He was graduated from Boston Latin School and from Harvard, 1859. He was assistant minister of Grace Church, Boston, and Trinity Church, Boston, and for many years he was rector of Saint Michael's Episcopal Church, Bristol. He served the town of Bristol as member of the school committee for many years. He died in Bristol in 1919. JOHN HOWARD MANCHESTER, 1890-1894, was born in Bristol, March 24, 1842. For 20 years he served the town of Bristol as member of the school committee, and for several years as member of the town council. He was collector of the port of Bristol and Warren, 1884-1888. FRANK EMERSON McFEE, 1887-1890, was born in Haverhill, Mass., Nov. 17, 1851. He was graduated from Haverhill High School and Brown University, 1875. For four years he was principal of the Washington Academy, Wickford. In 1879 he became principal of Bernon Grammar School, Woonsocket; in 1884 was appointed sub-master in the Woonsocket High School; in 1886 was elected Superintendent of Schools, Woonsocket. In this office he continued until his death, Feb. 4, 1915. SETH PADELFORD, 1870-1873, was born in Taunton, Mass., Oct. 3, 1807. He was a member of the Providence city council, 1837-1841, and 1851-1852; of the Providence school committee, 1837-1841, 1851-1853, and 1864-1873; Representative in the General Assembly from Providence, 1852-1853; Lieu- tenant Governor, 1863-1865; and Governor, 1869-1873. He died Aug. 26, 1878, in Providence. EZRA KNIGHT PARKER, 1874-1880, was born in Scituate, Dec. 29, 1832. He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1857. He studied law at Portsmouth, Va. He enlisted in the LTnion Army from Rhode Island, Sept. 4, 1861, as private in Battery D, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery; Sept. 7, 1861, was commissioned Second Lieutenant; April 8, 1864, was com- missioned First Lieutenant, Battery E, of the same regiment, and com- manded the battery from Sept ember, 1864, until June, 1865. He was Assistant Adjutant General of the Artillery Brigade, First Division, First 14 Army Corps, Army of Potomac; and was mustered out June 14, 1864. In Coventry he lias been moderator, chairman of the school committee, president of the town council, and town solicitor. He was Representative in the General Assembly from Coventry, 1898-1900; and Senator, 1900-1902. He was prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic, and was Commander- in-Chief for Rhode Island. He died in 1919. ARAM J. POTHIER, 1897-1898, 1907-1915, of Woonsocket, was born in Quebec, in 1854. He was educated at Nicolet College. Be was a member of the school committee, Woonsocket, 1885-1889; member of the House of Representatives, 1887-1888; Commissioner from Rhode Island to the International Exposition at Paris, 1889, and to the Paris Exposition, 1900; Mayor of Woonsocket, 1894-1895; Lieutenant Governor, 1S'.)7 lN'.IN; and Governor, 1909-1915. He was an elected member of State Board of Education, 1907-1909. OSCAR JENCKES RATHBUN, 1883-1885, was born in Woonsocket, March 12, 1832. He was educated at Worcester High School and Clinton Liberal Institute, Clinton, New York. He served for two years as Representative from Woonsocket in the General Assembly. He was Lieutenant Governor, 1883-1885. He died Feb. 1, 1892. FREDERICK RUECKERT, 1914-1920, was born in Providence, November 21, 1855. He was educated in the public schools and at Brown University, from which he was graduated, 1877. He was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar, 1880, and entered upon the practice of his profession. He represented Providence in the General Assembly, 1891-1892; and was a member of the Providence school committee, 1894—1912; and its president, 1903-1912. He was clerk of the District Court of the Sixth Judicial District, 1895-1905, and was elected Justice of this court, 1905, a position that he still holds. He has been a member of the State Board of Education since 1914, and is the chairman. As Justice of the juvenile section of the Sixth District Court, his service has attracted attention beyond the borders of Rhode Island. Rhode Island State College granted him the honorary degree of LL. D., June 14, 1920. EMERY J. SAN SOUCI, 1915-1920, of Providence, was born in Saco, Maine, July 24, 1857, receiving his education in the common schools. He was member of the common council of the city of Providence, 1901-1906. He has been Lieutenant Governor since 1915. GEORGE L. SHEPLEY, 1901-1903, was born in Dover, N. H., October 11, 1854. He was educated in the public schools of Providence. He was Lieutenant-Governor, 1901-1903. HENRY TILLINGHAST SISSON, 1875-1877, was born in Little Compton. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the First Regiment, R. I.Vol- teers, and was appointed paymaster, ranking as Lieutenant. May 20, IStil . he was commissioned Captain, First R. I. Artillery; Feb. 5, 1862, Major of the Third R. I. Heavy Artillery; resigned, Aug. 6, 1862. Nov. 5, 1862, he became Colonel of the Fifth Regiment, R. I. Heavy Artillery. April 13, 1863, the Fifth R. I. Heavy Artillery raised the siege at Fort Washington, N.C.,and relieved the 27th and 45th Regiments, Massachusetts Volunteers who had been surrounded by an overwhelming Confederate force under General Magruder. A relief party of nearly 5,000 Union soldiers failed to break the Confederate line, in an at tempi to relieve Fori Washington Colonel Sisson asked permission to try to run the Confederate batteries on the Tar River and carry aid by water. His project was at first condemned as foolhardy, but at length he was given permission, if he could find volunteers. His regiment volunteered unanimously. The passage on the river was made in a small steamboat covered with bales of hay for armor. The steamboat carried the 388 members of the Fifth R. 1. Heavy Artillery, and ample 15 supplies of food and amunition to relieve the garrison. In commemoration of this achievement the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have erected a bronze monument to Colonel Henry Tillinghast Sisson at Little Compton. He served as Lieutenant Governor, 1875-1876. AUGUSTUS D. SMALL, 1871-1873, was horn March 28, 1844, in Bangor, Me. He was graduated from ( 'olhy College, 1865. He was principal of Coburn In- stitute, Waterville, in the last two terms of his senior year. After gradu- ation he was employed for one year, 1865-1866, as assistant in the Literary Institution, at Suffield, Conn. He was principal of the Rockland, Me., High School, 1867 to 1871 ; principal of the High School at Newport, 1871; Super- intendent of Schools, Newport, 1871-1873; member of the State Board of Education, 1871-1873; Superintendent of Schools of Salem, Mass., 1873; submaster in the Lawrence Grammar School of South Boston, Mass., 1882- 1901; headmaster, South Boston High School, 1901-1914, and in 1914 became principal of the De Meritte School. He makes his home in Allston, Mass. PERCY DINSMORE SMITH, 1890-1894, of Glocester, was born in that town, Sept. 15, 1863. Was educated at Nichols Academy, and graduated from Brown University, 1889. He was a member of the House of Representatives, 1889-1894; town moderator, member of the school committee, and Superin- tendent of Schools of Glocester. AMOS FLETCHER SPALDING, 1870-1871, was born in Boston, Mass., Jan. 12, 1821. He was graduated from Boston High School, the Baptist Academy at Worcester and Brown University, 1847. He studied at Newton Theological Seminary, and was pastor of churches in Montreal, Hanover, Cambridge, Calais, Me., Warren, R. I., Norwich, Conn, and Needham, Mass. He died in November, 1877. HENRY A. STEARNS, 1891-1892, of Lincoln, was born in Billerica, Mass., Oct. 23, 1825. When 21 years of age he went to Cincinnati, O., and estab- lished the first factory for the manufacture of cotton wadding west of the Alleghanies. In 1850 he went to California, taking with him machinery for a steam laundry. He afterwards ran the first regular steam ferry from San Francisco to Oakland. Mr. Stearns devised several mechanical contriv- ances of value, and had marked inventive ability. He held numerous town offices in Lincoln and represented the town in the General Assembly as a Representative in 1878-81, and as Senator in 1881-84, and 1887-88. He was Lieutenant Governor, 1891-1892. PARDON W. STEVENS, 1870-1872, was born Sept. 15, 1815, at Newport, He served as a member of the Newport common council, 1854, and as alderman, 1857. He represented Newport in the General Assemblv, 1859- 1868; became Senator, 1863-1868; Lieutenant Governor, 1868-1872; and an inspector of customs for the port of Newport, 1872-1875. He died in New- port April 19, 1875. ROYAL C. TAFT, 1888-1889, of Providence, was born in Northbridge, Mass., Feb. 14, 1823. He was educated at Worcester Academy, Worcester, Mass. He was a Representative from Providence, 1880-1884, and he was a member of the Providence city council, 1855-1856. He was Governor of Rhode Island, 1888-1889. FRANK EDGAR THOMPSON, 1890-1920, was born in Somersworth, N. H., and received his early education in the schools of that town and of Dover. He fitted for college at Phillips Exeter Academy- and was graduated from Dartmouth College, 1871, receiving the degree of Master of Arts three years later. After leaving college, he was instructor at Phillips Andover Academy for two years. This position was resigned to accept the submastership of 16 PAST MEMBERS, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION H. T. SlSSON 2. A. D Small 3. P. D. Smith 4. H. A. Sir IBNB P. W Stevens 6. R C. Taft 7. G H Utter 8. C. C. Vah Zandt W. T C. Wardwell 10. R. C. W LTROU8 11. G. P. Wetmore 12 C. J. White No pictures of Enos Lapham, Daniel G. Littlefield, Amos F. Spalding and Frederick W. Tilton, members of the Board of Education, and of Henry Rousmaniere, Commissioner of Public Scl Is, 1861-1863, could be found. Otherwise the scries is complete for 75 years of the Commissioners and 50 years of the Board. — Carroll. tlic Rogers High School in Newport. R. I., and in 1890 the position of Head- master, which position he now holds. Since 1890, Mr. Thompson lias been a member of the State Board of Education ; in connection with his associates In' has been instrumental in bringing aboul many changes for the improve- ment of education in the State. In 1919 in recognition of long service in the cause of education the honorary degree of Doctor of Education was conferred upon him by the Rhode Island State College. FREDERICK \V. TILTON, 1870-1872, was born in Cambridge, Mass., L839. He was educated in Cambridge schools, and was graduated from Harvard, L862. Hi' studied at Gottingen University, Germany, 1862-1863; taught in Worcester, Mass., 1863-66; was Superintendent of Schools, Newport, 1867-71; was principal of Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., 1871-72; was headmaster of Rogers High School, Newport, 1873-90, and lived in Europe four years, 1890-94. GEORGE HERBERT UTTER, 1904-1907, of Westerly, was horn July 24, 1854, in Plainfield, N. J., coming to Westerly in 1861. He was graduated from Amherst ( lollege, 1877. He was a member of the House of Representa- tives, 1885-89, being Speaker in the latter vear. He was Senator from Westerly, 1889-1891; Secretary of State, 1891-1894, Lieutenant Governor, 1904, and Governor, 1905-1907. He was a member of Congress, 1911-1912, dying during the campaign of 1912. He was a printer, and publisher of the Westerly Sun. CHARLES COLLINS VAN ZANDT, 1873-1875, 1877-1880, was born in New- port, Aug. 10, 1830. He was educated in the schools of Newport, and was graduated from Trinity College. Hartford, 1851. He was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 1853. He was city solicitor of Newport in 1855; Clerk of the House of Representatives, 1855-1857; Representative from Newport in the General Assembly at various times between 1857 and 1873, being Speaker of the House, 1858-1859, 1866-1869, 1871-1873; represented New- port in the State Senate, 1873-1874; was chairman of the committee on judiciary. He was Lieutenant Governor, 1873-1875, and Governor, 1877- 1880. He was a gifted speaker. He published, "Newport Ballads," a collection of poetry relating to quaint characters of former days of Newport. He died June 4, 1894. WILLIAM THOMAS CHURCH WARDWELL, 1890-1891, of Bristol, was born in that town, Sept. 20, 1835, and was educated in the public schools. He served as a member of the town council of Bristol, and represented that town in both branches of the General Assembly. He was Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, 1890-1891. RALPH ('. WATROUS, 1908-1909, of Warwick, was horn in Mystic, Conn., July 19, 1866, and was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Hopkinton, R. I. He was a member of the town council of Warwick, 1906-1907. He was Lieutenant Governor, 190S-1909. GEORGE PEABODY WETMORE, 1885-1887, of Newport, was horn in Lon- don, England, Aug. 2, 1846. He was graduated from Yale College, 1867, and received the degree of A. M., 1871; and the degree of LL. B. at Col- umbia College, 1869. He served as ( iovernor, 1885-1887. Hewaselected to the United States Senate, representing Rhode Island, 1895-1913. CHARLES J. WHITE, 1881-1887, 1894-1906, was born in Boston, Mass., May 22, 1836, and graduated from Williston Seminary and Tufts College, 1S5S. In the same year he became principal of Milford High School. He was ordained to the Christian ministry in the I niversalist Church, and served at East Boston and Woonsocket. Previous to 1886 he was Superintendent of Public Schools in Woonsocket. He died in 1906. 18 COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 1845-1920 From one point of view the history of the Commissioner of Public Schools is substantially the story of the establishment and development of a state system of public school administration. Although public school education began in Rhode Island in 1640, and the General Assembly, as early as 1800, made provision for state support of town public schools, there was no suggestion in the law of a state system of schools until, in 1836, the General Assembly requested town clerks to report, with statistics of defective children, the number of children attending public schools and the amount of school money received from the ( reneral Treas- urer. A general law enacted in 1838 required more detailed and more elaborate reports, and directed the Secretary of State to furnish blanks. The first General Assembly elected under the Constitution of 1842-1843, upon the motion of Hon. Wilkins Updike, directed the Governor to appoint an agent, whose duty it should be to make a survey of schools and report to the General Assembly. Governor James Fenner appointed Henry Barnard, late secretary of the school commissioners of Connecticut, to be State Agent, on December 6, 1843. Substantially the work of the survey followed two principal lines: An appraisal of the public schools, and an awakening of interest among the people generally in the promotion of measures for improvement. Both were successful. An educa- tional revival was conducted. Measures for improvement were embodied in a general school law, 1845, outlining a system of schools and a plan for adminis- tration fundamentally similar to that still maintained in Rhode Island. The new school law of 1845 provided for the appointment of a Commissioner of Public Schools, whose duties required him to be an educational expert or adviser to the General Assembly, a publicity agent for maintaining public interest, an efficiency agent for projects for improvement of schools, an amiable counsellor of school officers, the dispenser of state school money, a state superintendent of schools, an agent for the training of teachers and the improvement of teachers in service, a school statistician, and a judicial officer conducting a legal tribunal for the settlement of controversies arising in connection with school administration. Henry Barnard was appointed first Commissioner of Public Schools, and served four years, 1845-1849. The five year period, 1S44-1849, comprising the service of Henry Barnard as Agent and as Commissioner, was marked by unprecedented progress in the rehabilitation of the physical school plant and in the building of new schoolhouses of approved types, by a splendid awakening of popular interesl in public education, and by the conservation of gains made by statutary enact- ments. On the substantial foundation laid by Henry Barnard, his successors in office continued to build, evolving gradually the Rhode Island system of schools. Elisah R. Potter, who had been Henry Barnard's assistant and associate, was his successor, 1849-1855. An able and experienced lawyer and public officer, Commissioner Potter, in rewriting the Barnard Law in 1851, recast it into legal language, the change tending to make the legislation more effective. Commis- sioner Potter ably carried forward the general policies of Commissioner Barnard. Through his endeavor, after two unsuccessful ventures in private normal schools, a state-supported normal school was established in 1854. Be repressed agitation that might have precipitated a religious conflict in public education and that 19 might have proved as disastrous in Rhode Island as elsewhere. He was keenly appreciative of the significance of the Commissioner's judicial authority, and did much as Commissioner, through exercise of this power, to win prestige and to establish dignity for his office. Subsequently, as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, he wrote the opinion of the Court in Cottrell's Appeal, a decision that laid down the rule for the interpretation of the jurisdiction of the Commissioner. Realizing the importance of a close affiliation with the General Assembly, as the repository of power through law to advance public education, he recommended in 1855 the establishment of a state board of education. He advocated free schools or the abolition of tuition, and also free textbooks. During his admin- istration the state appropriation was increased from $25,000, first to $35,000, and thereafter to $50,000. Rev. Robert Allyn of East Greenwich succeeded Commissioner Potter, 1855- 1858. His most significant service was an investigation of school enrollment, attendance and finance, and a detailed statistical report thereon to the General Assembly. He also sustained the judicial authority, and recommended free schools and free textbooks. John Kingsbury was Commissioner, 1858-1859. In his year of service he visited every schoolhouse in the state and made a report of conditions as he found them, affording material for a comparison with the report made by Henry Barnard fifteen years earlier. Joshua B. Chapin, 1859-1861, and 1863-1869, and Henry Rousmaniere, 1861-1863, were the next Commissioners. In the administration of Commissioner Rousmaniere the Civil War overshadowed other interests. The abolition of tuition during Dr. Chapin's administration made the public schools free schools after 1868. The fifteen year period 1854-1869 had been less ag- gressive than the preceding decade, and the necessities of the hour demanded a man of action. Thomas W. Bicknell was appointed Commissioner in 1869. He came to the office in the prime of exuberant manhood, and with the determination to re- establish for the Commissioner of Public Schools a prestige that had not been maintained by his immediate predecessors. One of his first recommendations was the appointment of a State Board of Education, and the General Assembly voted favorably. With Commissioner Bicknell as a vigorous, enthusiastic and able counsellor, the State Board of Education must share credit for the successful inauguration of its recommendation on several important measures, among them the re-establishment of Rhode Island Normal School, mandatory supervision, town appropriations to equal state appropriations, truancy legislation, support for evening schools and support for free public libraries. Commissioner Bicknell began an active campaign for the eradication of illiteracy. He resigned in 1875. Thomas B. Stockwell succeeded Commissioner Bicknell, 1875-1905, serving thirty years, a period equal to the combined terms of all his predecessors. Con- tinuing the campaign against illiteracy, Commissioner Stockwell soon realized that any measure short of compulsory attendance must fail of solving the problem of minor illiteracy. He was supported earnestly by the State Board of Education. By gradual change in the statutes a satisfactory attendance law was achieved. In 1884 the annual appropriation for teachers was made $120,000. In 1893 free textbooks were ordered by the General Assembly. In consequence of a special report by the State Hoard of Education in 1 898 ; the Ceneral Assembly made provision for state support for high school education, for consolidation of schools, and for state certification of teachers. To this period also belongs the beginnings 20 COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS Hkvky Barnard Ki.ism R. Potter ROBEBT Ai.i.vn 184.5-1849 1849-1854 1S54-1858 John Kingsbi hv Joshua B. Cumin 1858-1859 1859-1861, 18C3-1869 Thomas W. Bicknell Thomas B. Stockwell W ai.i'kk E. Ranges 1869-1875 1875-1905 1905-1920 of Rhode Island State College, Rhode Island Institute for the Deaf, Rhode Island School of Design and the State Home and School. When Commissioner Stockwell resigned in 1905, the State Board of Education elected as his successor Walter E. Ranger, who at the time was State Superin- tendent in Vermont. The fifteen years since 1905 have witnessed a remarkable extension and improvement of public education. Commissioner Ranger in his first year of service undertook a general survey of schools, and in his second report recommended pensions for teachers, a state system of traveling libraries, a state home and school for the feeble minded, state certification of superintendents, extension of high school education, industrial and trade education, improved school sanitation, reasonable tenure for teachers, a summer school for teachers. All of these recommendations have been carried into effect, and, besides these, provision has been made for a graduate department of education at Brown University, free state scholarships at Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, man- datory support of high school education, stricter and more perfect compulsory attendance laws, establishment and maintenance of uniform high standards for all schools, the teacher's minimum salary law, extension of and larger support for trained supervision, special aid for deficient schools, Americanization and the elimination of illiteracy, medical inspection, sight and hearing test, dental clinics, and physical training. Besides making his regular annual reports to the State Board of Education, the Commissioner made a special report on vocational education, and as a member of a special commission wrote a report on the State College and the obligation of the state to support it. Through his effort the General Assembly was persuaded to accept the provisions of the Federal Voca- tional Education Act, and to set up state machinery and provide state appro- priation for vocational education and the training of vocational teachers. The General Assembly of 1920 has changed the title of this chief administrative educational officer to Commissioner of Education. SKETCHES OF THE COMMISSIONERS HENRY BARNARD, 1843-1849, was born at Hartford, Conn., Jan. 24, 1811. He was prepared for college in Monson, Mass., and Hopkins Grammar School, Hartford, and graduated from Yale, 1830. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in Connecticut, 1835. He went abroad to travel and study. He was a member of the Connecticut Legislature, 1837-1840. He advocated various reforms, including improvement of the common schools. He secured the passage of legislation requiring the Comptroller to obtain from school visitors official reports respecting public schools; and acts to provide for the better supervision of common schools, for school- houses of better construction, for the normal academy and high schools, etc. He was Secretary of the Board of School Commissioners in Connecticut, 1838-1842. He was called to Rhode Island to undertake the survey of the public schools authorized by the General Assembly in 1843. In his report to the General Assembly he advocated various improvements in the public schools, including the codification of school laws of the state. An act drawn by him and passed by the General Assembly in 1845 laid the foundation for the present system of administering the public schools of Rhode Island. He was elected Commissioner of Public Schools under the act of 1845. He served until 1849, when he retired because of ill health. He was Super- intendent of the Connecticut State Schools, 1850-1854, and President of the 22 State University of Wisconsin, 1857-1859. lie was President of St. John's College, 1865-1867, and in 1867 was appointed first United States Commis- sioner of Education, holding that office until 1870. While in Rhode Island he published the School Journal. In Connecticut he founded the Common School Journal. 1855 he commenced the publication of the American Journal of Education, and a monumental encyclopedia of education. 1886 he published a collected edition of his works entitled "The American Library of Schools and Educators." It comprised 52 volumes and over 800 original articles. He died July 6, 1900. ELISHA REYNOLDS POTTER, 1849-1854, educator, lawyer, jurist, member of the General Assembly, Representative in Congress, author, was born in South Kingstown. June 20, 1811, son of Elisha Reynolds Potter, lawyer, member of the General Assembly, and Congressman. The elder Potter was born in South Kingstown, Nov. 5, 1764. In 1793 he was elected to the General Assembly, and was continuously re-elected until his death, Sep- tember 26, 1835, except when serving Rhode Island as a member of Con- gress, 1796-1798, 1809-1815. The younger Potter was also a member of the General Assembly, was Adjutant General, 1835-1836, and was Repre- sentative in Congress 1843-1845. He was assistant to Henry Barnard as Commissioner of Public Schools, and succeeded Mr. Barnard, serving from 1849 to 1854. He was subsequently elected to be a Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court in 1868, and served until his death, Aprd 10, 1882. He published, besides his School Reports and the "Rhode Island School- master," "Early History of Narragansett," " Paper Money in Rhode Island, and various papers on "Suffrage." ROBERT ALLYN, 1854-1858, third Commissioner of Public Schools, was a native of Connecticut and was graduated from Wesleyan University, Middle- town, 1841. Although ordained minister, he was engaged in the profession of education almost continuously from 1841 to June, 1892. First he taught at Wesleyan University. He was principal of the Wilbraham Academy, Mass 1845-1848, East Greenwich Academy 1848-1854. He was Com- missioner of Public Schools 1854-1858; Professor of languages at Athens University; President of Cincinnati Weslevan Female College; President of McKendree College, 1863-1874, and President of the Southern Illinois University, 1874-1892. He died in Carbondale, Illinois, December 29, 1893. JOHN KINGSBURY, 1858-1859, was born at South Coventry, Conn., May 26, 1801.- He was graduated from Brown University, 1826, and soon after began to teach in a private school. 1828 he became principal of the Young Ladies' High School, continuing for 30 years. He was appointed Commis- sioner of Public Schools, 1858, serving one year. In 1844 he became a Trustee of Brown University, and from 1853 until he died, 1874, he was a Fellow of the University and Secretary of the corporation. JOSHUA BICKNELL CHAPIN, 1859-1861, 1863-1869, was born at Hillsboro, N. H., August 19, 1814. He completed a four-year course at Brown Uni- versity in 1835, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts with the class of 1838, 'the same year that ho was graduated, M. D., from Berkshire Medical Institution. He was a physician, druggist and photographer in Providence. He served as Commissioner of Public Schools, 1859-1861, and 1863 1869 He was editor of the Rhode Island Schoolmaster, and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa. He died June 7, 1881. HENRY ROUSMANIERE, 1861-1863, was born at Newport, 1809, and edu- cated in his native town. In 1S32, with his brother, he purchased the Pawtucket Chronicle and Rhode Island and Massachusetts Register, and continued to publish the paper until 1839. In 1861 he was appointed Com- missioner of Public Schools. He died in Providence, May 19, lSbS. V\ lule Commissioner and afterward he was a prominent speaker at teachers insti- tutes. His address at the dedication of a Newport school has been pre- preserved in pamphlet form. 23 THOMAS WILLIAMS BICKNELL, 1869-1875, was born at Barrington, Sept. 6, 1834. He was graduated from Thetford Academy, 1852, and from Brown University, 1860. During the senior year at Brown he was Representative in the General Assembly, He became a teacher. In 1869 he was appointed Commissioner of Public Schools. He served six years, during which time, with the cooperation of the State Board of Education, which was created on his recommendation to the General Assembly, he was influential in securing many important advances of public education, among them the reestablish- ment of Rhode Island Normal School. He resigned in LS75 to become editor of the New England Journal of Education. In 1877 he established the Primary Teacher, in 1880 the magazine Education. He has been promi- nently associated with many of the most influential educational associations of the United States. His writing in the held of history have been voluminous and significant. Among them is a five volume "History of Rhode Island." Though 86 years of age, he is still vigorous and forceful, and an active participant in many movements for progress. THOMAS BLANCHARD STOCKWELL, 1875-190.5, was born in Worcester, July 6, 1839. He prepared for college at Chicopee High School, and was graduated from Brown University, 1862. After teaching in New Haven and Holyoke. he came to Providence as teacher in the Providence High School, 1864-1875. In 1875 he was appointed Commissioner of Public Schools, continuing in office until 1905, a period longer than the combined service of his predecessors in office. From 1867-1875 he was associate editor and manager of the Rhode Island Schoolmaster. Besides the annual reports, 1875-1905, he published a "History of Public Education in the State of Rhode Island, 1639-1876." He was a member of the Barnard Club and its second President; and also a member of the American Institute of Instruc- tion and National Education Association. He died February 9, 1906, within a year after his resignation as Commissioner. In commemoration of his services the teachers of Rhode Island have erected a bronze tablet in the State House. WALTER EUGENE RANGER, 1905-1920, was born at Wilton, Maine, No- vember 22, 1855. He was graduated from Bates College, A. 6., 1879. He received the degree of A. M. from Bates College, 1883, and from the Uni- versity of Vermont, 1902, and the degree of LL. D. from Bates College, 1907. He was principal of Nichols Latin School, Lewiston, Maine, 1879-80; prin- cipal of Lenox High School, Massachusetts, 1880-83; principal of Lyndon Institute, Vermont, 1S83-96; principal of State Normal School, Johnson, Vermont, 1896-1900; State Superintendent of Public Instruction of Vermont 1900-1905; and has been Commissioner of Public Schools of Rhode Island since 1905. He is president of the Board of Managers of Rhode Island State College, a Trustee and Secretary of Rhode Island College of Edu- cation, a Trustee of Rhode Island School of Design and of Bates College, besides being connected as a member or officer with various educational in- stitutions and societies, including the Bates Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. He is a past president of the American Institute of Instruction, of the Rhode Island Institute of Instruction, of the Vermont School Masters' Club and Vermont Teachers' Association, and of the Barnard Club of Rhode Island. He is well known in and out of Rhode Island as a writer and lec- turer on educational, social, ethical and fraternal subjects. His services as educator in four state school systems have given him a fruitful, practical experience, from which Rhode Island has profited in the fifteen years of his occupancy of the chief executive and administrative office in the public school service. After Henry Barnard he was the first American educator called from the chief educational office of one state to a similar office in another state, although the precedent has since been followed several times. The change in the title in the office makes him the first Rhode Island Com- missioner of Education. 24 1 / h ■ < • man Company Prtwldi nee. R. /. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 022 127 132 4 4