Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-01
STATE HOUSE.
Superintendent Stetson Dis
courses on Maine Schools.
December Institutes to Be Held for
Pencbscot Farmers.
Seven New Corporations File Certifi-
Gates of Organization.

day,-not a very common thing-anc
came away with an interview on the
business of special interest transacted
at the recent meeting of the Slale
Teachers association and other matters
Said Mr.. Stetson:
1.-TWO matters were disposed OF at tnt
convention that are destined to nave
great influence upon the welfare OF tns
schools. The Department of Superln
tendence was organized as an indepen'
dent association and in the future, WI
meet at the same time the State 1each'
erS' Association is in session. Inc eau
catiOnal forces of the State are working
together with a harmony ana an
earnestness that have had no parallel
in thepast. The Maine Teachers Asso-
citation with it's several departments,
the School Masters Club, the Associa-
ton of Colleges and Secondary SCHOOLS
and the Department of Superintendent
held their meetings this year during the
same week, for the first time in the MS
tory of the State. The October meeting
brought together the largest number or
teachers and school officials ever as
senoled in Maine at any one time
Have you anything to say about
county and town teachers meetings
asked the reporter.
During the past year more than the
average number of meetings have been
held. The county meetings have been
largely attended and of great value.
Many of the papers read and discus
sions given show an amount of reading
i
and quality of thinking which would
do credit to the program of the Nation
al Association. The town teachers
meetings are becoming more popular
and more of them are held each season.
believe the time is coming when the
union OF half a dozen towns for these
purposes will be the fixed policy of the
State in this department of work.
'"rhe report made by DR. White is a
document of unusual Importance. The
propositions submitted by him are fair
and commend themselves to all who are
concerned for the education OF the
youth. The Department hopes to pup
lish the report in pamphlet form. This
report settles several vital questions.
1t is now clear that the professors of
our colleges and the principals of our
secondary schools realize the necessity
of ?, children receiving their common
school education in the common
schools, and that students shall not be
admitted to the higher schools until
they are; thoroughly prepared to take
advanced work. 1t is also settled that
the secondary schools will not lower
their. standards of admission for the
~,
dance, For for any other reason. 1t was
feared by many of the friends of the
smaller academies that the larger insti-
tutions would capture their pupils and
thus leave the schools without a stu
dent body. Time has demonstrated
that there is no occasion for this
anxiety The larger schools have pur-
sued an honorable course in this mat
ter. 1t is worthy of notice that several
schools have as many students as they
are prepared to instruct and are deVoting
themselves to teaching what they have
rather than to soliciting more pupils.
The gain in this direction is so marked
as to excite general comment. 1t is my
impression that a majority of the
towns will be so favorably impressed
by the report of DIR. White and the
attitude of the school men, that there
will be but little friction in collecting
tuition fees. Many of the smaller
towns We're not a little disturbed by
what they feared might be the outcome
of this legislation. This fear has been
largely replaced by better view of
the situation and there is prospect that
the law will prove of great benefit to
the towns and to the pupils who attend
secondary schools
Have you visited the State eiuca-
tional institutions recently?'
During the past fall | have visited
the FIVE Normal Schools, the School for
the Deaf and Dumb in Portland. the
Industrial School for Girls in Hallowell
and the state School for Boys in Port
land. The Normal school students are
characterized by great earnestness, I'M
usual devotion to their work and a
quality Of conduct that promises well
for the teaching force of the future.
Perhaps the most impressive charac-
teristic OF all these schools is the kindly
spirit manifested by all who are con-
nected with them. These schools re-
semble cultured homes to an extent
that one hardly expects to find in a
public school. The Deaf and Dumb
School in Portland is most interesting
institution. Most of the boys and girls
are bright and attractive. Some OF our
best families are represented IN the
| school. No one can visit the rooms and
observe the work, without feeling that
we owe Il great debt of credit to those
who have made these conditions posi-
BILE. The Industrial School for Girls
| has been pronounced by persons VINO
have visited many similar institutions,
the best kept. in point of cleanliness. OF
any set of buildings in the country
| They strike visitors as being lmmacu-
late. The training these girls are re-
ceiving will fit them for domestic life
| If any one has any doubt OF the use
| fulness of the school, this impression
will be removed by a personal visit
The State School for Boys was a great
surprise to me. 1 never visited 1t until
recently. The location is almost ideal
Many of the buildings are modern II
the best sense of the term. The Whole
institution impresses one as being con-
trolled by the most delightful and help-
full influences. The boys do the worn
| N 40 for IN h. no i'm the ShODS