Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-26
Tho Alumni Reception.

UceQ.
Tho Alumni Reception.
The annual alumni reception OF the
graduates Of the COburn Classical In
stitute was held Friday evening at the
Coburn gymnasium. A large number
Of hOnored graduates gathered for the
evenings enjoyment. which was GER
tainly one OF the best in the history
of the school. In the receiving line
were Principal and Mrs. George Stan
ley Stevenson, Mr.. and Mrs. Carroll NJ
Perkins and Miss Adelaide fitzpatrick
After the reception speeches were
made by Mayor Frank Redington,
Rev. +. c. Whittemore, Carroll N. Per-
kins. Esq, Miss Gilpatrick and Prin-
cipal George Stanley Stevenson. Prin-
cipal Stevenson spoke as follows:
Mr. Chairman; and Ladies and
Gentlemen:
Leaving TO the other speakers the
pleasant task Of entertaining you to-
night. am going to ask your indul-
gence while l talk straight business.
Many persons, who love this school
with love that is strong and fear
less, and clear-sighted as concerns the
future, have long desired, as a means
to her future welfare and development,
the possession of more spacious
grounds. somewhat apart from the dis
fractions of the city. For dozen
years this has been one of the dreams
Of those who have had .oburn in
charge. There arose a few months ago
an apparent opportunity Of accomplish
ing this thing. I believed in 1t, with
all my heart. and SO far as I was able
worked for it. The plan, as you
know, did not succeed, for reasons dis
credtahle to no one. While discussion
Of this matter was proceeding. I gave
to the newspapers the following state
ment
1--WE have within recent years, given
some consideration to the possibility
of transferring the school to a new and
spacious location in the country just
ostside the city limits. In our pres
ent location we have. it is true, many
strong features. Our lot is large
one. l45 feet on the front and running
hack 800 feet. three quarters of an
acre. It adjoins the splendid Monu-
ment park, is near the Public library
and is in a section of the city that
is very attractive from the character
Of its residences and which is not like
ly to change much in the future. The
building Is one of the finest in the
State. erected in 1884 at a cost which
today would approximate $4,000. 1t is
sound structurally. 1t has, in addition
to an assembly room on the first floor
capable of seating 200 students and
large gymnasium on the third, 10 reci-
tation rooms Of good size and well
lighted. The ceilings are high with
good air spaces. The ventilation sys-
tenn is good. The laboratories for ply
sizes and chemistry. together with COM
plete apparatus, were installed last
summer, and are regarded as the best
among all the secondary schools of
Maine. A large gas machine was put
in by the Walworth Company of Bos-
ton. and supplies the gas requisite foI
proper experimentation. In the base
ment are locker rooms and shower
bath for the athletic teams. Th,
school proper has a beautifully fitted
room of its own for it's editorial and
business work. The boys and girls
dormitories are both on Elm street,
not far from the schoo! building. Yet
in spite of all these advanta ges, some
OF us have felt that the future develop
ment of COburn as secondary school
of wide scope and very high stand
ing can be hest carried out in loca-
ton somewhat apart from the distrac-
tions of the city. on grounds adequate
for unlimited expansion and suitable
for well arranged athletic fields.
20 II; IL OF
ly: none of us. however. feel it to be
an essentially pressing need. The trus-
tees, in recent years. have taken hold
Of the administration of the school in
most vigorous fashion, and have carried
out measures that assure to COburn &
future Of very great strength. I am
most eager that all conditions shall bt
suited to the development we have In
mind. If Waterville decides that i,
can. with advantage to itself. secure
our present school building. and if GU
trustees think 1t best to entertain such
a proposition, it should be construed as
a move of very favorable report to CO.
burn. We should proceed Immediately
to the erection of new buildings on very
spacious grounds somewhere on the
outskirts of the city. On the other
hand if no mutually satisfactory basis
Of procedure Is now discovered. we shall
find it possible for long term OF
years. to continue effectively in our
present location. When our future de-
velopment makes a relocation absolute
ly ard unavoidably necessary, we shall
doubtless find means to effect it.
Now. that IS precisely what we are
going to do We are in a position, in
our present location. to fulfill many
years of effective work. Never In it's
history did Coburn have greater ele-
ments of strength than at preesnt, new.
er was It's outlook more bright. Next
falls entering class will be the larges,
of recent years. We are in a position
to take these boys and girls and give
to them a secondary training of sturdy
strength. wholesome difficulty. and in
spring idealism. If. at any time in the
future. the need of relocation be-
comes absolutely imperative. you may
be certain that we shall find means to
effect it,