Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-07-11
Of the American Institute
Of Instruction
Opened at Portland, by Pres.
c. \. Keyes, Hartford.
Address by State Supt. Of Schools Sistson
Attendance Is Large.

Portland, Me-, July 1G.-The members
of the American Institute of Instruc-
lion were given hearty welcome to the
city. tonight. at the opening meeting OF
their 18th annual convention which was
called to order by President Charles H.
Reyes of Hartford. Conn. City hall,
where the principal sessions will be
held, tomorrow, Wednesday and Thurs
day, was we'll filled with members and
local people interested in educational
matters. They Were welcomed by
Mayor James p. Baxter, who spoke at
some length.
opportunity to refer to several subjects
which may be discussed during the con-
vention. Regarding free text books in
public schools. he said:
Aside from the facility which books
passed from hand to hand offered for the
dissemination of disease germs, the ques-
ton of unnecessary cost to the taxpayer.
and loss which pupils sustain by not own
Ing and keeping their books is worthy
of the pupils in our public schools really
need to have books furnished them. The
parents of the remaining IS per cent. can
well afford to furnish their children with
not rich. but thoughtful men, object to
this sort of charity, and furnish their
children with books. A question may be
asked: Does not the free book system at
ford an alluring opportunity for extrav-
aganCe and graft?
In speaking of the practice of many col
lege students working in summer hotels
and making money by receiving tips from
guests. the speaker said:
one would suppose that college stu
dents in this country would be above re
ceiving tips. for the tip represents social
distinction between the one who gives
and the one who receives 1t. No student
the offer Of a tip; it is an insult to his
citizenship What. it may be properly
asked. will students such as l have de
sSreed become when they INA have not 70 taGS
10 furnish recruits to the army OF grafters
and bribcrs which is becoming all TOT
large for the public welfare. or. having
lost faith in humanity. to become know.
tails and detractors of their hetters;
Such men are social pests. What we wan,
in this country are men of character
men Of high ideals who are above bride.
taking iii any form; strong. self reliant
men who esteem 1t IA privilege to lend
hand to fellow man on all necessary occa
sionS. to do good hoping for no reward
The response was a brief and pleasing
address by j. G. Edgerly of F1tchburg
Mass. who was introduced as the dean o.
Superintendent Edgerly called attention
tn Mayor Baxter's suggestions Tor dis
CussiOn.
Schools W. ". Stetson OF Maine, upoi
the topic Educational Ideals was con
siiered II feature of the convention pro
gram. Supt Stctson said:
This paper makes no pretentions 10 e .t
haustng the subject. 1t is written for m
purpose of dropping hints and noting TN
next things. as suggested by present ten
qer"n The dsssrS + I" h heP m they
maxi the unskiiful laugh: cannot ou
make the judiciOus grleve.
When We become sourcd by sense Q
our uselcssness I'm this world and realiz
our unfitness for the next. then we writ
alleged witticisms on the unwisdom OF De
Ing hospitable to ideals ,; AEes of thei
wagons TO the stars. Long after tn
youngest critic has died. the. wise o
earth will continue to use this divine Sys
tenn Of transportation. The historian ha
written record of the past. the anual
Isl writes the happenings OF the DAY. IN
prophet and the poet write the thing nd tt ~
ideals Of tn" singer are more accurat
than the statistics of their coad1utorS
We are persuaded that ideals keep IN
heart pure. the thought sane and the &C
Righteous
When the better day has dawned tn
New Education will come into its owl
Then the community will be scrupulou
in paying Il dollar for n dollar worth o
service. to the end that Justice may Q
done and stealing cease. The time serve
VIII find no opportunity to serve his timt
The doer will not toll in Arctic zones O
neglect or fatten his sails In the CAIN
OF indiff, renee. Service will not vast
Its energies in seeking appreciation. !
viii be known that the recognizer Q
worth makes exhibition of the suprem
quality.
The school board will consist of nc
more than five members each serving fC
the number of years indicated by IN
membership. one retiring and one bein
elected each year. To be eligible to thes
POSITIONS. candidates must possess hone:
". capacity. have had experience In q
fahs. have a desire to serve and must :
controlled by an intelligence which WI
lead them to place the administration
Tho schools in the hands Of the superb
tendent, except in the items of ground
buildings and supplies. Common conser
VIII exclude prc-adamitic teachers an
Prehistoric members of other callngs, s
mat the schools may not suffer from IN
miSlrasancc of persons compounded OF II
nerited ignorance ana acquired stupidit!
are suspicious" of any improvement tins
spells change and that they continue
themselves the plumbers of the past.
The superintendent will be endows
with those qualities which mark tn
statesman. thus making it easy for hir
10 See his work in It's proportions as we
as In its details. He will welcome re
sponsibility and will not finch whe
charged with failures and. IL credite
with successes. will not permit praises t
Continued on Page Two.)