Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-12
HENRY w. COBB, AUGUSTA
Newly Elected President Of kennebee
County Teachers Association

At the morning meeting Of the
Kennebec County Teachers Conven-
ton which was held Friday at the
State House the registration Of teach
ers present was 2s3, and there was a
crowd of parents and interested par
ties in attendance that filled the
House Of Representatives to over
flowing, both the floor and the gallery
being packed. In opening, the or
chestras from the Smith school and
from Cony High school played a num-
Der Of selections, which were much
appreciated, and then the invoca-
tional prayer was offered By Rev. c.
9. Mosher. Then a group % the sth
grade children sang a selection. as
sisted N the solo part by Miss
Stanchfeld, who proved that she has
a remarkably sweet and expressive
voice. and won generous applause
from the convention. After the sing
ing was over, business meeting was
held. and the report OF the secretary
treasurer Miss Susan B. Dow of this
city. was read and approved. Then
committee of three was appointed by
the chair. and the speaker OF the
morning was introduced.
She was Mrs. Deborah Knox Liv-
!ngston and in very interesting ana
able address entitled The Child d
Civic Factor" she said. in part. The
greatest factor in civilization is the
now recognize the importance Of the
child in relation, to the future life OF
the nation In the proper training OF
children she spoke Of the three view
points from which the child must be
considered, first, the recreational
viewpoint, second. the educational
viewpoint, and third, the industrial
viewpoint She asserted that the
vocational training Of the child could
not be begun too early in life. that
from the very first the child should
have definite objective point. she
also stated that the child should pc
considered as a machine, and the
school as the factory wherein the
parts should be assembled and fitted
for service to the world. She also
stated that no other country has as
perfect a system of public schools as
the United States, and paid high
tribute to the excellent body Of in
structors who are preparing the youth
of our nation for the future. Speak
ing of the Froebel and Montessori
methods Of allowing the child to play
into his work, she says that his meth
cd is the most rastional and success
full, for it is natural for children all
over the world to play, irrespective OF
color, race, religion or class, and that
a recess period can do more harm
than good unless it is utilized TO as
sist in the general plan OF Work tna'
is being carried on. She spoke OF the
trade schools in Massachusetts, ana
stated that in a state like that they
are Of the first importance. as the
child must learn something definite to
do If it is to be of use to the COM
munity. In speaking OF chiidren's
ambitions. she says that they shouio
be encouraged, and that the proper
method Of treating boy who wants
TO be a policeman is to tell him Of the
power for protection and good that
such a man can be. Among other
things. she stated that she believed
that a Federal law to make military
training a part Of the education OK
every young man would be good
thing, not as a preparedness for war
but as a moral and physical help to
proper living. In closing. she sara
that the highest teaching the school
can give the child is that OF the moral
appeal, which will make OF him
good and desirable citizen.
At the close Of Mrs. Livingston's ad-
dress, it was moved and seconded that
a COPY Of the address be printed and
sent to. every teacher in this state,
and ARRANGEMENTS were made Tor It's
being done Then the meeting was
split into two groups, and one met in
the Hall of Representatives with
Supt.. Charles N. Perkines as Its cnaif-
man. when a fine address on The
Child and Society was given by Pro-
lessor Robert A. Macdonald of the
Department of Education Of Bates
College. which was listened atten-
lively to by about three hundred
teachers and interested parents. and
the other group met in the Senate
chamber with Supt. Charles II. ABB
bott of Winthrop and Halloweii ds'i;s
Chairman. aud listened to very able
and Instructive address entitled The
IIHNfdual Pupil" by Prof. X. +.