Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-08

er is 4 delight to the eye. The pro
sale dull shades in dresses for the
women have had their day and in
their stead are seen teachers becom-
ingly withal conservatively gowned
The pupils themselves, more especial
ly the younger ones, have expressed
their opinions in regard to the per-
sonal appearance of their teacher. a
pretty teacher with pretty clothes Is
the delight and idol Of the youthful
pupils heart.
Afternoon Session
In the afternoon a general session
was held in the Assembly hall of tn.
school and most helpful and inspirin
talks were given by Hon. f. w. But.
terrified. state superintendent of publ
instruction for New Hampshire, an
DR.. Augustus O. Thomas. State super.
intendent Of public schools for Maine
The session was called to roder at Ii;
by the president. Principal T. c. Chat
fee Of Gardiner. The other officer,
were: Vice president. W. F. Packar
of Winthrop; secretary-treasurer. Mis-:
cSSfSGl IAdShciI VI IIdilOWtI
Election Of Officers
Early in the afternoon session cam,
the election of officers of the associa
ton for the ensuing year, the follow
ing officers being chosen unanimously
President. w. r. Packard, superinteip
dent of schools for Hallowell and Win
throp; vice president. Lewis J West
principal of Waterville high school
secretary Miss Ada f. Edge
comb Of. Augusta.
Hon. e. w. ButterfeId
The first speaker OF the Afternoon
was Hon. l.. W. Buttertield, who spoke
upon Punishment as a Factor i.
School Discipline" 1t was a most in
terestins address. filled with helpfl
suggestions, and in bringing out h:
points the speaker gave a number 0
illustrations from his own experience a.
a teacher. showing the effect that Ger
tain forms of nun shment have upo,
the pupils. Among the valuable sus
gestions he made in his address. he ad
vised the teachers to never make DO,
or girl stand up and apologize for tina
would tend to make them deceitful h,
advised that teachers should Away
punish with dignity; and he Shove
that all punishments must be for
clearly defined ofense.
Dr.. Augustus o. Thomas
The Responsibility of schools II
American Democracy was the suffice
OF the message brought before the con
vention by Or. Augustus q. Thomas
State superintendent of public schools
The speaker pointed out that il is tn,
duty Of teachers to look beyond thei
books in the teaching of children toda
for they should see the lesson that stu
dents can be made good or bad citi
zens in the schoolroom.
He pointed out that the teachers
; task has just begun. Although au-
tOcracy is dead, the United States is
facing another concern just as i'm
portant. And he asked tho hypotheti-
Cal question. what would happen in
this country ii the spirit which is
sweeping through Russia should per-
wade this country. 1T is what We cal!
anarchy--opposed to government. It
is q danger to any organized govern
ment and if it should break forth in
this country. it would find our de-
mocracy vulnerable.
In closing DIR. Thomas spoke Of the
federal aid by which this State will
receive about S1,O00.000 per year.
\ matter of human interest was
referred to by DIR. Thomas in begin
ming his talk. He stated that in the
gathering of teachers present there
was man who had been teaching
40 years. Is years of which he had
taught in the same room. and that
that teacher had just completed a
term in. the same school where he
began teaching Al years ago. The
man had never received more than
$3.50 per week, and had lived upon
that salary and is in good health. He
has just received a teachers pension
by which he will get $3.50 a year. That
man is William r. Seekins of Pitts
ton, and DR.. Thomas stated that Mr..
Seekins has the satisfaction Of a deed
well done.
dered during the afternoon were en-
joyea and were received with warm
applause by the teachers. The pupils
of the Sixth grade, Harrington school,
sang sweetly the following selections:
Market Day." the Swing Song
Lily Bells Ring and Apples and
Pumpkins" The music was directed
by Miss Gladys A. Whitmore. super
visor of music III the Augusta schools.
The Cony High trio composed of
Miss Margaret White, 'cellist. Miss
Bertha Merrill. violinist. and Miss
Margaret Merrill, pianist, rendered
the following selections: Spirits of
Independence" Flight of the Birds"
and 20 Sole Mic" These numbers
were rendered in n charming manner
and were greatly appreciated by ALL
The afternoon session was brought
10 n close with the singing of Tho
Star Spangled Banner" by ALL
Very interesting exhibits of war
posters made by students of the
grades in tho city were exhibited in
theh Assembly hall and won many ia
vorahle comments.
Postpone Action
On Naval Bill