Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-02
MADISON
Special Town Meeting for School
Changes ArOuses Much Inter-
est-A Fire on Saturday Eve
ming

shown at a special town meeting held
in Union hall Saturday afternoon. The
cause of this interest was the proposed
changes decided on by the school au-
thorities several weeks ago. Various
rumors have been afloat and vigor-
GUS opposition to the action of the
committee was developed which re-
suited in the special meeting at this
time. When the meeting was called to
order at p. NJ. to all appearances at
least 1t looked as though equal suf-
frage prevailed in Madison if not in
the rest of the State. Not only was
the stage packed with women but
there was a large sprinkling in the
seats on the floor of the hall. While
the ladies took no part in the speech
making they made known their opinion
by vigorous applause at points made
in the speeches by the men. j. Frank
Withee was elected moderator. Article
was to ask the school committee and
school superintendent to explain their
reasons for making the proposed
changes at this time. The first speak
err was Stanley Renter, member
the school committee. Mr.. Renter
stated in opening that he at first
thought he was familiar with the pro-
posed action by the school authorities,
but from various stories that had
reached his ears he was beginning to
think that he knew but very little
about it. He then said in part that the
Freshman class in the High school
this year was unusually large and the
building was crowded. The committee
after consideration decided to elm
mate one teacher in the lower grades
as there are over 100 pupils less this
year than last. The eight grade sys-
tenn was to be adopted and the pupils
in the Ninth grade to be placed in the
care of other teachers. By doing this
the work would be more evenly dis
tributed, each teacher having about 35
pupils instead of from 20 to 40. In
making this change it was distinctly
understood that none of the resident
teachers would be left without a
school. He also said that all scholars
in the lower grades on or south of
Main street were to go to the Old
Point avenue building and that in his
opinion this was desirable as there was
ample room. for them. Another matter
discussed was the putting back of Is
members of the High school Freshman
class by superintendent J.. w. Gerrish.
MIR. Renter stated that he was opposed
to this action and that the committee
had voted to restore them. He also ac-
cused Superintendent Gerrish of STIR
ring up unnecessary strife among the
teachers in regard to the proposed
changes. The next speaker was Mr..
Gerrish, who briefly outlined the
school law in regard to High schools
and said the change in the Freshman
class was made because Is scholars
were not able to do the work and that
in his opinion it was detriment to
the school to have them continue as a
part of them came in on conditions
anyway. Mr.. Gerrish then gave statis-
tics showing how in nearly all other
parts of the country the eight grade
system had been adopted and that it
was in line with modern methods.
He said that four years ago after some
discussion the Madison school committee
had expressed themselves as wanting to
keep up with the best methods and that
he had been working gradually since that
time for the eight grade system He said
ma changes had been made except what
had been voted by the committee and
that in % years experience he had never
been called on to face a situation of this
kind before Mr.. Gerrish emphatically
denied the statement of Mr.. Renter that
he had stirred up strife and challenged
him to bring any proof Eugene Hurd
another member of the committee, said
he had been strongly opposed to the pro-
posed changes, but as a majority of the
committee had been for them he could
do nothing. Brief speeches were made
by A. NJ. Holden, William Fahey and It's
dale Look. The last Speaker was Bernarl
Gibbs, who made a strong plea for the
citizens to stand back of the committee
and not hamper their work. He said the
committee was elected by the town to dc
something and that they were endeavor-
ing to the best Of their ability to make
some changes for the better. In opening
Mr.. Gibbs was interrupted and he deliv-
cred a scathing rebuke to what he termed
the unfair and lawless spirit that had
been manifested in not only this but pre-
vious town meetings fYArticle was to see
If the town would vote to as thet com.
mi.tee to defer their proposed changes
until the end of the school wear. This vote
was carried by an overwhelming ma jor-
ity, although doubted. AS one teacher
has been eliminated and one resigned
Just how the committee will get around
the situation is problem.
The Madison FIRE alarm was sounded at
1880 o'clock Saturday evening for a fire
in the stable at the residence of S. F.
Waldron on Jones street. The fire was
discovered by Mr.. Waldron, who tele-
phoned for help, which responded quickly
and had the fire under control before the
department arrived. Only the timely dis
covery prevented bad fire.
At the annual business meeting of the
First Methodist Sunday school Sunday
afternoon the officers elected for the com
ing year were Superintendent, Reuben
Head; Asst Supt., NJ. NJ. Spear; secre-
tary. Miss Mary Prince; treasurer. Miss
Olive Moore; Supt. of primary depart
ment and cradle roll, A. NJ Holden; as
sstant, Miss Annie Hartwell; Supt of
home department. Mrs. Belle Sawyer
ehorister, E. X. Moore; organist, Mrs.
Mary Twitchell; president of Sunday
School Missionary Society, Mrs Eva
Spear; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Alb
bic Haynes.
A watch night meeting was held Sum
day evening at the Methodist church The