Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-04-23
COLLEGE ALUMNI
DEBATE PROBLEMS
ST. Benedict Graduates, Many
of Them Now Prominent,
Attend Banquet.

The annual dinner of the Alumni
Association of st. Benedicts College.
held in the auditorium of the college
in High street last night. was marked
by the presence of many former stu
dents now prominent in the business
and political life of this State.
The problems which face the mod
ern educators of today were discussed
at length over the banquet board and
the characteristics of the future gen
erations of Americans were outlined
in forecasts of different degrees of
originality. according to the fancy of
each particular speaker.
Governor sends Letter.
|. Assemblyman Hubert J. Rowe,
| POSTMASTER. introduced Playground
Commissioner Bernard M. Shan.
ley, ir., who gave an address of
welcome; the Rev. John A. Dillon,
superintendent of the parochial
schools of this diocese, who respond
ed to the toast. Some Educational
Problems" and Judge Peter +. DAILY,
of New Brunswick. who spoke of
1.-THE Coming American" Mayor
Jacob Haussling. former United
States Senator James Smith, jr., the
Very Rev. p. Polycarp and the Rev.
p. Cornelius were the invited guests
A letter from Governor Fielder was
received expressing his regrets on his
ability to attend owing to the meeting
/ held in East Orange, where he was
to make an address.
Judge DAILY prefaced his remarks
by telling of an incident occurring in
the reception room prior to the din
ner, where he noticed one man who
was greeted by all as they entered
THAT mans life has not all been
roses" he said, land he has been the
victim of gross political ingratitude,
but / would rather have the love and
respect of the friends and neighbors
of this large city of Newark that was
shown him than be the President of
the United States.
Cheers for Former Senator.
Senator Smith, you can laugh at
| the world when you have boys about
you who love you like that" he con-
cluded. Three rousing cheers, spon-
taneously given. was the response of
the alumni members to this tribute
to their guest.
Three problems facing the e1e-
mentary schools today, morality of
| the children, the wider use of the
school building and the efficiency of
the study course were 'propounded by
| Father Dillon ih his remarks. First
reminding his audience that though
the schooling of a child took eight
years, but little over three years were
| in reality used to instruct the child
owing to the many holidays and long
vacations, he spoke of the present
agitation of teaching sex hygiene in
the public schools.
He said that underlying the practise
of teaching physiology and psychology
i of sex to children, is the error that
knowledge of itself is capable of pro-
dncing virtue He refuted this by
several illustrations.
Condemns Novelties.
He objected to the distraction of
the schools from educational purposes
and claimed that aceruing expenses
for these novelties and the wear and
tear would counterbalance the free
rent.
Father Dillon took up the quest ton
of thoroughness In essentials, and
said the answer to the criticisms re-
garding efficiency has been an eva
sion of the question. The criticism
is made that the children cannot
spell correctly; and the answer is
given, we want an appropriation for
4 vocational schools. Who Is capable
of deciding the vocation OF a mere
child?
Education must be a moving stair
way, on which the child steps in the
first grade and is turned out of the
eighth grade with no effort on his
part The children cannot read
! smoothly, the answer is, they must
not be worried by examinations; and
yet when the child leaves school he
is confronted with civil service ex :
aminations for almost every position
for which he applies.
The heavy tide of immigration from
southern Europe and it's effect on
the coming Americans caused Judge
| Daily to make plea for the immi-
grants.
The business success of the gradu-
ates of the college was pointed out
by Mr. Stanley in his welcoming ad-
dress. He also spoke on the achieve
ments in the athletic world and con-
graduated them on having the cham
pion basketball team.