The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-14
EX-G0V. UTTER
DELIVERS TALK
To TEACHERS

Ex-Gov. George IL Utter discussed yes
terday What the Schools owe to the
State" In an address delivered to the
public school teachers OF the city in the
English high school hall.
The meeting was called by Superintend-
ent Walter III. Small. and the big hall re-
sembled a miniature teachers institute
when superintendent Small called the
gathering TO order at 1880 o'clock. For
half an hour previous Summer street had
been alive with teachers. mostly OF THE
feminine sex, making their way TO the
hall. and probably nearly all of the !W-
odd instructors making up the teaching
force OF the city Were present.
MIR. Utter spoke OF his address IS an
exposition OF the way man who never
taught school looked upon the teaching
profession. and the men and women en-
gagged I'm g.
MIR. Small before introducing the speak
er said few words about the Penny
Provdent society. which seeks To incul-
cate habits OF saving among the children.
In 20 schools. he said the stamps when
represent the amount of the deposit made
by tlg child through the society were be-
ing used and about $500 worth OF stamps
were distributed monthly The receipts
for this year Mr.. Small said, were near
ly double those of last year, but he urged
the teachers TO push the matter. as IN
year such as this he concluded, the
even better effect than I'm brighter times. /"
Ex-Gov Utter spoke In part. as fol-
lows;
they do not take their profession seri-
ously enough Too many OF them look
upon IL as something TO go into for time
until something else turns mp and not as
a profession which can well be made
life work. Too many regard IL not as
vocation. but as an avocation.
"a republic Is an experiment every day
and YOU arc SOME or the cNperlncntors,
If there is any class OF people that Is
making the experiment a success IL Is the
public school teachers.
''The city OF Providence has put into
your hands a plant that means more 10
the city than any mandatory within lts
borders II invests I'm the plant nearly
81 O00 coo n year. and the responsibility 10
use this plant Is yours.
But YOU are given something more
than buildings and equipment. You are
given children. They come to you from
an manner OF homes-homes I'm which
there Is cleanliness and order and wise
discipline. and from homes lacking IN az
of these. They come with inherited and
acquired traits OF character as divergent
as are east and west. They come from
daily influences which teach selhshness
or unselhshncss ingratitudo or gratl.
tude. a recognition OF responsibility or a
reckless disregard for the privileges ana
sHsre are the children who are native
born, and whose parents % well as them
selves have never known civil conditions
other than those OF freedom. Side by
side with them sit the little ones born
under other conditions. many OF whon
are irbued, as the result Of generations
of Inherited training. with the belief that
government Is synonymous with opprcs-
sion.
"lf YOU haven't secn through the dirt.
AZ YOU haven't seen through the clothes,
Al YOU haven't seen through the stolid
faces little OF the possibility OF these
children. you have failed IN your duty.
'srhere are four things I think YOU
should teach. The first ~ Democracy.
Real democracy means equality Every
hoy and ciri has an cQunl chance Bu'
don't give the child the thought that
cauantv means equal uf refultF n is
the equality OF opportunity, not the