The Republican journal., 1917-09-13

State Superintendent.
tendent of public schools, was the guest
of honor. The evenings program was
opened by the audience singing America
under the direction of Mr. EIbridge S.
Pitcher, teacher of music in the Belfast
High school, with Mrs. Clement W. Wes-
colt of Belfast accompanist Misses
Charlotte knowlton and Helen Wescott
sang The Blue Bird Song and responded
Mr.. and Mrs. Pitcher sang Twilight by
Nevin The musical program closed with
Mr., Pitcher playing two grand opera Sc
lections on the schools Victrola, which
were greatly enjoyed. Supt. William B.
Woodbury. introduced Dr. Thomas with a
few general remarks saying in part that
it was the pleasure of Waldo county to
give Names new superintendent his first
public welcome. Dr. Thomas was the
| former State Superintendent of Nebraska
and resided in Lincoln. He began his en-
| tertaining remarks with few words of
commentator on the musical program
and said he was glad at least one school
in Maine could get their musical pitch
from a real pitcher" and that ne also
had what every school needed a real
Battery behind him. He also referred
to seeing Mr.. Pitcher in a recent musical
assembly in Nebraska long before he ever
thought of coming to Maine. DR., Thomas
| brings to his work in our State wealth
of experience, quiet dignity and spirit
of cooperation entirely free from criti-
cism. He will work with the school au-
thorities as well as direct them. He said
he had no criticism to offer in regard to
Names school system and even stood in
the Belfast High school room without
reference to its inadequacy. Every SEN
tence showed his deep interest in his life
work-that Of teaching. Heis especially
interested in the rural schools as he said
they were one of the principal factors of
the country community life He told of
what was done recently in building a $40,
900 school house in twenty mile terri
tory in Nebraska that displaced many old
buildings which were later used to build a
teachers home and farm for demon
stration for the schools benefit He re-
ferred to Maine's rating in its public
school system but said he did not care fol-
that. The State has done we'll n the past
and he enjoyed seeing the good comrade-
ship among it's superintendents and teach
ers and to him that meant success ir
what they might undertake together He
said he knew of Blaine, Reed, Dingley
and Hamlin long before he realized what
beautiful and resourceful State Maine
was 1t is to be regretted that more OF
our citizens were not present to meet Dr.
Thomas
At the morning and afternoon sessions
Thursday Mr.. Frank W. Wright, the
Deputy Commissioner of Education OF
Massachusetts, gave two addresses of in
tereSt to all concerned in school work
He spoke from an intimate knowledge
gained by personal experience on ''Think-
ing in the Recitation" and SCHOOLS as
Usual or Unusual SchooIs?' His ad-
dresses were full of helpful suggestions
and Just criticisms of many of the pres
ent day customs. All who heard him
will be anxious that he come to the next
county convention and speak at an even.
ing session.
Mr.. H, A. Allan, State Agent for Rura
Education, spoke at the Friday morning
session on ''The Hygiene of the School
ROOM, subject that is attracting the
attention of all parents at the present
time.
new feature was an exhibit by the
Belfast Free Library which consisted of
table attractively arranged with books ane
pictures. The display included the --latest
volume of the index to periodicals., G
sample volume of the encyclopedia fol
grammar grades, books on storytelling
and supplementary reading in history anc
geography. The feature which attracted
most attention was the classified collec-
ton of mounted pictures prepared for the
use of teachers in their classes. These
are large clear pictures, usually of beau
tiful coloring, mounted on stiff cards, in
cluding among the subjects, birds, flow
ers, historical and geographical pictures.
. The librarians, Miss Annie L. Barr and
) Miss Grace H. Hall, were in attendance
every day to make the acquaintance OF
the teachers and explain how the library