Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-01-05

AUGUSTA, MAINE
exaeslJ what they mean. 1 wish every bo,
and girl here between the sges of six anl
sixteen we're obliged to take blank pape
and write something every day How man,
teachers would have escaped = sinking 8
the heart. had the president requested then
10 prepare 9 ive-minnse paper on the man
Eer IN which they teach any parsicuia
study: We hsvsn't learned the AFT Of writ
ing We Americans use our English Ian
susse very badly indeed and have . yer,
small vocabulary Of ear own. An excel
lent way of training the children l. II
requifing them to reproduce in writing
stories or history ted to them. The mis-
takes are often laustable, but the children
do not dislike ii, and are meantime learn
ing to think.
We teachers have . work that lasts for.
ever, and We have the blessed privilege Of
earning our living in the grandest possible
way. heard . Harvard professor say hs
would willingly pay the institution e5 ,oot
/ year for the privilege Of teaching the
branch they hire him to teach. We have
. sacred trust ard we will keep it to the
end. God bless ard keep il, and in the
bright new century, TO come. give it the
harvest time.
This morning the meeting was opened
with prayer by DR.. Hanson, the foomi
being we'll flied.
The frst paper vas by Mr.. W. c. Craw-
ford, Superintendent Of Schools in Water.
VILE, whose subject was why and how
should the essential parts Of the work OF
preceding grades be reviewed each Year,
Review he said. is absolutely necessary ex.
cept in few particular eases. to fx facts
in the minds OF the pupils. The fret les.
son on subject makes the path, and only
by successive rspetitions and reviews can
the weeds be kept down. This topic was
afterwards thoroughly discussed by F. H.
Nickerson, Of Saccarapps High School,
who said . review must not be merely .
repetition Of words bu. Of the idea, aod tha.
the fact expressed must be comprehended
- when first learned.
II. NJ. Estabrooke of the State Normal
School At Gorhsm read q well prepared
paper on the Necessity and Feasibility of
| County Institutes" He demonstrated the
| necessity Of normal training for teachers,
and the right we had to expect good train
| ing as necessary part of a teachers out
| fit. In the discussion which followed, G.
A. Stuart, superintendent of the Lewiston
| schools. though endorsing heartily what
had been said of the importance of normal
training. said that the poor pay and the
| uncertain tenure, made the expenditure of
several hundred dollars 10 normal course,
risky investment. which those who en-
gage in teaching simply as a stepping stone
to something they thing higher, would not
be disposed to go into. Normal teachers
will not stay in Maine on a small salary
when they can secure large one in an.
other State.
W. j. Cortheli, Principal of the State
Normal School at Gorhsm, who was TO
have read paper on Town, County and
State Supervision" was absent, but sent in
his manuscript, which was read. In the
main the ideas advanced were the same rs
those embodied 10 the resolutions printed
in connection with this report. In the dis
cussion, State Superintendent of Schools
N. A. Luce wished that he might be divided
and sub divided again and again, in order
TO reach out more extensively and do more
effective work. NJ. A. Whiting. Principal
Of the Skowhegan schools, argued eloquent
ly for more and better supervision secured
by legislation. lie thought this might be
ended to at the next session, since there
were no more Asylums. State Houses and
other houses for the demented, TO be
treated.
Before intermission the conditions of
membership were read and all eligible were
invited to join, give their names. influence
and dollars. During internission many
OF the teachers went up stairs where Mr..
Chas F. King illustrated and explained
his method Of teaching geography.
The announcement was made that this
evening Prof. Rogers, a. the College.
would be pleased to show the teachers the
workings Of his machine for measuring the
expansion of metals by rays of light. An
invitation was also extended for the teach-
ers to inspect the College library and art
collection.
The president spoke eloquently OF the
hospitality Of the people of Waterville ss
shown in their reception and entertainment
and which has no parallel in the history Of
the society.
A representative of the International So
cisty of Teachers stated that its nexs annu-
al meeting would be held at Toronto, and
that half rates hid been secured for the
for the trip. to be made some time about
the middle Of July. The route will include
Niagara, or the Falls may be visited from
Toronto.
The following are the officers for the en-
suing year:
President, f. P. Sampson, Saco; vice
president. A. F. Richsrdson. Csstine; Sec
rstsry and treasurer, II. M. Estahrook,
Gorham; ex-committee ex-otflcio, E. 2.
Sampson, A. F. Richardson. Fl. NJ. Es,a-
brook, Miss Helen W. Fuller. Miss Mary
G Snow; advisory board E P. Sampson,
Fl. II, Nickerson. Prof. L. G. Jordan, A.
NJ. Lord and W. s. Adams.
The folloxing resolutions in regard to
changes in the school laws. to be urged
before the legislature, were reported by a
committee comprising G. A. Stuart, W. c.
Crawford, r f Gould, Mary s. Snow,
and James Archibald, and adopted almost
unanimously by the society:
Resolved, lst, That the district system
be abolished.
2. That towns Of one Thousand or more
inhsbitants elect school committees of
three on the first, second and third year
plan.
5. That the committee of any town or
city be empowered 20 elect superntend-
eut of schools. in which case the committee
shall serve without pay.
4. That whenever any two or more
towns, having 8 valuation Of net more than
two million dollars, shall unite to hire a
superintendent of schools, ard shall raise
therefor $500 the State shall give TO ihnse
towns $500 for superintendent, and $500
more for the teachers salaries, exclusive
of the amount now apportioned to said
towns.
). That there be established Board of
Education, consisting of the Governor of
the State. President OF the Senate and
Speaker of the House. ex officio, and Of
five others male or female, appointed by
the Governor and Council, on the fve-year
plan.
6 That such Board be empowered to
elect q State Superintendent Of Schools.
and Secretary, and hx salaries for the
ssne.
Z. That the members Of the Boa-d re-
eeive pay for travelling expe lses. and that
all except TIE Governor receive compensa-
tion IS members Of Council while attending
to the educational Interests Of the State.
Ard further. That there b. appointed by
the members Of tue Association ore person
in each county Of the State to use his inia-
ence with Representatives TO secure ste
adoption by Legislature Of the foregoing.
ard wh, shall. through the press snd other
wise, inform the people CT the county OF
the nst1rrs nf the prnnosad lprisI Atom and