Bound Volumes, Hometown History

February 27, 2025

125 YEARS AGO

February 1890

90 YEARS AGO

Academic freedom was defined today for 2,500 of the nation’s educators as “the freedom of the learner to learn, not the freedom of the teacher to teach.” The educators debated the role of public education in the present changing social world. The advocacy of new social doctrines in the class room was vigorously attacked by Frank W. Ballou, Superintendent of Schools for Washington, D.C. “Teachers should confine themselves to giving pupils a clear idea of the existing social order, some understanding of its strengths and weaknesses,” he said. Professor Jesse H. Newton of Teachers College, Columbia University declared that “capitalism is not a solution” to modern economic problems and predicted that “we are going toward collectivism until we achieve security for all Americans.” Dr. Newton pleaded for the freedom of teachers to speak their mind in the class room and declared that teachers as a whole are among the least liberal of professional people. “Clergymen,” he said, “are far more progressive” than schoolmen. He warned that “powerful forces” were at work to destroy the freedom of the schools.

February 1935

50 YEARS AGO

A series of certification meetings for the use of restricted pesticides are scheduled this month and next in Schoharie and Otsego counties. The sessions became necessary with the imposition of new regulations by the federal Environmental Protection Agency monitored in New York State by the Department of Environmental Conservation. In brief, the regulations mandate that farmers using restricted pesticides, proprietors of establishments open to the public, municipalities, public utilities, highway departments and industries that use any pesticides will need to be certified by October 1976, if they continue that use. Anyone buying or using a restricted pesticide must be certified attesting to their ability as an applicator.

February 1975

30 YEARS AGO

United Way of Delaware & Otsego Counties, Inc. held its annual meeting and volunteer recognition dinner recently. Special thanks were given to outgoing board members Andrea Pontius, Alvin Hall and Carol Donovan, the outgoing 1994 board president. New officers for 1995 are Robert Harder, president, Rachel Jessup, first vice-president, Steve Braun, second vice president, Donald Benson, treasurer, and Huemac Garcia, board member. The 1994 United Way campaign raised $282,500, which amounted to 94 percent of the Campaign total. The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Donald Benson of Piaker & Lyons.

February 1995

20 YEARS AGO

State Supreme Court Judge Robert C. Mulvey has ruled against a group of 25 same-sex couples who applied for marriage licenses last year and were turned down by the Ithaca City Clerk who followed a New York State advisory not to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Judge Mulvey’s opinion states: “Social perceptions of same-sex civil contracts may change over time, and every group has the right to persuade its fellow citizens that its view of such matters is the best. If that day comes, it is within the province of the legislature to so act.” An appeal is expected.

February 2005