Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-27


versed in motor boats than l.
PAYSON SMITH PREDICTS
CHANGING IN TEACHING
The one big thing to be taught n our
schools today, is a broader conception of
democracy and this means that the indi-
vidual should be taught not only what
democracy was to him but what he owes
to democracy-an understanding Of the
cooperation of all the members OF de-
mocracy in perfect harmony, so that the
me, will serve
This was the conclusion Of DR.. Payson
Smiths lecture Saturday evening at
Frye hall, Portland. when he spoke be-
fore the Woman's Literary Union under
the auspices of the educational depart
ment. Dr. Smith. who is now commits
sioner OF education for Massachusetts,,
made a powerful plea, for the children
that nothing Of war or the calls Of war
should be allowed to interfere with their
education.
DR.. Smith deplored that fact that in
some cities there has been great falling
or OF the attendance of the boys and
girls OF high school age and announced
that he was glad to say that the super
intendent Of the Portland schools, De-
Forest II. Perkins, had told him that In
the Portland High schools the average OF
, attendance had increased In this con-
nection DR.. Smith alluded to England's
tons, thus increasing the juvenile crime
Z a n roo ,p1 !, ,I,n hny
England had seen her mistake and was
now trying to remedy it. Let us see to
it that we do not make this mistake"
said DR. Smith Let us see to 1t that
this is not a children's war"
Predicts Changes in Future.
Dr. Smith predicted great changes in
the near future, in the school methods.
saying that he believed it would not be
long before some college would open that
would offer all the year around courses
so that students need not be obliged to
spend four years, in prepare ton for work,
radical changes he predicted, saying that
two theories would be merged until the
individual would be developed mentally.
morally and physically. We have too
long put too great a stress on the intel
lectual, and in the future, children will be
taught thrift, home making, and clear
straightforward thinking. One of the
! things most needed today is clear think
ing and in this connection DR.. Smith said
he objected to the methods OF interschol
astic debates. that he believed that a boy
or girl should never be asked to debate
on the side of question in which he or
she did not believe. In connection with
the radical changes Dr. Smith spoke Of
democracy as safe instrument in the
hands of the people. as the foundation of
self-government only so far as the people
are capable of elf-government and he al
luded to Mexico and Russia and the price
, they have paid for the lack of education.
Because everything connected with the
education of the child is so important, DR..
Smith deplores the taking of collections
in the schools for the different relief or
! ganizations He believes that the chill
dren can do their part in the food con-
servation movement. in the Liberty Bond
sale and in other ways but with the calls
of the many relief organizations, each APP
pealing to the schools. he feels that this
is placing too great burden on the chill
dren. for upon them depends the future
Of this country and nothing should be al
lowed to interfere with their education.
DR. Smith sounded a strong call for pa
triotism but he showed very plainly and
proved conclusvely that the highest pa
triotism is the patriotism that looks to
the education of the future citizen
1--WE must win this war" said DR.. Smith
"but in the meantime nothing can go on
as usual, our schools cannot go on as
usual no individual life can go on as usual.
The schools will never be the same as pc
fore this war-but we must see That our
educational program of the future must
be sound and so arranged that every IN
dividual will be forced to a least OBTAIN
an elementary education.
Dr. Smith was formerly the state su-
perintendent of schools Of Maine ana ne
was warmly greeted when he was lnlro-
duced. Mrs. William f. Wing presided
and gracefully introduced the speaker
Mrs. Charlotte Gum Roche sang TWO Sc
lections and sang them eXquisiteiy, her
voice was heard to especial advantage III
her first number, French song ana she
made very pleasing impression.-Iele-