Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-31
OUR TEACHERS
CONTINUED from page ~
most Of the resources and possibilities

NEST of the resources and possibilitie.
at hand.
The visitors We're welcomed in be-
half of the schools Of the city by sup
erintendent F. r. Wyman. In be-
ginning he spoke Of the change of name
and stated that he had wished that il
might be called the Maine Educational
Association and that all connected in
any way or interested in the educa
! tional work might be brought to-
gether for mutual help and benefit
The object of the association is to help
the teachers of Maine to realize more
IN the future than they have in the
past. Some there are who even think
that 1t may be waste of effort to at
tempt to uplift the schools and their
. teachers. pointing to what the old
schools did for many a famous man.
But these men We're of extraordinary
ability taking what they could get
from the schools Of their day and no
man Gan tell what they might have
been or how much easier their path
might have been made with better
schools and better training.
There is Il distaste in many quarters
for critizing the public schools and
when this is done by critics from with
OUT every teacher feels duty bound to
make the best reply possible. But in
the meeting of the association which
like family gatherings he believed that
things should he called by their right
names and that this would do no
harm The 6cp-aCafin, nf ~ Yrn
fession was not wholly accounted for
10y unworthy teachers but by the pub
lie rs well. The average pay for
women teachers in the State is but
$G.i2 per week and some were still
working for 81 per week and board
ing around.
The average was lower than that
earned by factory girls who are under
pay the year round instead of So or
10 weeks us are the teachers. Under
these conditions 1t cannot be expected
that talent of Il high order can afford
to teach in many of the towns of the
State. The social position of the
teacher is not yet all that it should
be. Many of those teaching in the
PAST must have received their great
est reward in the knowledge of
noble work well done.
The response to the address of well
come in behalf of the association was
made by Vice President w. f.. Rus
sell Of Gorham. Mr.. Russell stated
that when he had been asked to make
the response ne had considered it IA
task that might even be an irlisome
one but after listening to the preced
ing addresses OF. welcome it had be-
come IL pleasing one. In choosing
Watervlle as the place for the meet
ing some one had said it was because
of its central location. because it was
easy of access. because the Presidents
home was here but more than any of
these he believed it was because it is
one of the recognized educational CEN
te,s of New England Mr.. Russell then
spoke in glowing terms of the work anN
influence of Colby on education for
the past so years. speaking in highest
terms of praise OF President White.
this being heartily applauded. He ALSO
spoke of Coburn and was applauded
before he could mention the name of
DR.. Hanson and then again when he
plcntioned the work being done by
Principal Johnson. He also spoke in
highest terms of the public schools of
the city and of the good judgement and
keen insight shown by Superintendent
Wyman in the selection of teachers.
why" exclaimed Mr.. Russell with "a
smile. his work makes Waterville the
happy hunting grounds of the Massa-
chusetts superintendent and princi-
H., in h.al rf n
plauded for this.
The speaker tLen warmly thanked
President White and Mr.. Wyman for
the welcome extended and President
Johnson for the hall which was 50
convenient and pleasant for all the
meetings.
Everyone having been thus intro
duced and made n home. Rev. w. f.
Berry. president of the Maine Wes-
/ leyan Seminary, was introduced to
make the first address of the conven-
! ton on the subject. The Public
Schools and Good Citizenship" Mr..
Berry was warmly received and was
interrupted once or twice by applause.
| The principal thought that he ad-
ynnced was that ethics and loyalty to
| the State SnOuiu De t1oIouSHiS Taught
carly in the schools. In the army and
navy true loyalty to flag and country
were taught and the standard of eth
| i,s was very high but in civil life it
VAS very low. He believed that the
| scholar should be taught the same 10y
| rtty to the laws or hts country, State
and town that the soldier and sailor
| show their flag and country. He
should be taught the purpose of the
State and that laws are made for his
| own good TO be observed. He should
| be taught reverence for this and
| should be made to understand the du
tics he would be called upon to per-
form as a citizen and to be thor
oushly loyal to these. He should thor
ouchly understand his duties as juror
as municipal and State officer and as
a voter anu "A true reverence for THESE
should lie instilled in him. Loyalty to
land reverence for the laws and duties
Of every day life should be as strong
las loxe and reverence for country. He
should be taught that disregard fol
ire laws yrf ms state makes him 8
traitor as much as the selling out OF his
country to the enemy in the time OF
war. He should be made to believe
-