Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-08

where it is necessary for the
children to carry their dlnhers'
warm noon luncheons are now pro-
yided in more than 1000 schools, ana
supervised play and noon hour exer-
clses are conducted in almost all OF
the schools Of the State.
Our facilities for the training OF
teachers in normal schools nave
been greatly increased and i'm
proved. New buildings now are
under way at Pressure Isle, Farm
ington and Gorham, while additions
have been completed at Machias
and the Fort Kent training school.
A complete health program has
been installed with more than 100
school education actively at work
with the cooperation of the State.
A State wide census Of physically
handicapped children has been COM
pleted by the State Department of
Education cooperating with the
Maine Public Health Association.
the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, and
Chambers of Commerce.
Evening schols have been foster
, ed and one-third as many scholars
are accommodated in them as there
are pupils in our day high schools.
Agricultural instruction is carried
on in twenty high schools and ac-
cording to the Federal Board for
Vocational Education based on the
cost of instruction, Maine high
schools lead those of all states in the
net returns from the agricultural
products raised by these pupils.
'In proportion to it's population
Maine leads all states in the number
of young people. up to the age of Is,
who graduate from four year high
schools, and our young people are
making an enviable record in their
college achievements. Through edu-
cation we are undertaking to develop
the several lines of interest that
bring progress to the State, and safe
guard the welfare of our people"
/ Needed Changes
Our State is teaching it's children
to work, to be useful to produce and
! to lead. One suggestion that would
make is that in certain of our schools,
especially in City high schools, more
, discipline, more self-restraint and u
closer attention to studies are need
ed. Social activities oftentimes are
! allowed to encroach upon the work
of the class room, and the movie,
athletics and fraternity work at
times interfere with the serious
| business of acquiring an education.
| Superintendents and principals
should strengthen the rules of their
schools, and parents cooperating
W III them should be made to under
stand that too many motor cars and
parties give children false ideas
which seriously handicap them in
after life. Self control and a proper
respect and consideration for the
rights of others should be the corner
stones of our educational system.
There Is so much of interest in the
world and so much to learn about
that we should crowd the youthful
mind during the few years of school
age. The present school year of SO
weeks is too short ami should be
heightened to AZ, while there should
be fewer Interruptions in the routine
of school work. Holidays and half
holidays already are too frequent.
On the whole. however, the young
people of today are. cleaner and more
! wholesome than those of any pre-
vious generation. Most of them dis
play a serious purpose in life, and it
is a privilege to know and work for
them l have faith in the coming
manhood Of Maine.
Public Money for Public Purposes
Only
am an advocate of the passage OF
comprehensive Constitutional
Amendment providing that public
money be used only for purposes that
strictly are public. Such 4 provision
should not be pared down to meet
the objections of it's opponents or
&weakened so that its vital force will
be lost. After thirty years of agita :
of AToinn will anNanf
this principle If it is presented to
them fairly and honestly. Once they
understand it's true Significance they
will demand its passage and local
considerations will not be allowed to
stand in the way. The State treas
ury forever should be divorced from
all private institutions. educational,
charitable or otherwise, however
worthy The last House of Repre-
sentatives made a partial beginning
by passing an amendment which
lacked but four votes in the Senate.
Had this failed at that time. by now
it would have been ratified by the
people and many hard feelings and
much unnecessary strife would have
been avoided. AS l view it this is
sue should be placed on higher
grounds than that of sectarianism:
squarely on the broad principle that
the money taken from the people by
taxation should be used only for
purposes that are strictly public and
for institutions that are solely under
the management of public officials.
Private and Sectarian Schools
In expressing my views l speak
from conviction ami without trace of
personal feeling or racial religious
antagonism. Brought up in a New
England family with New England
traditions l have the utmost faith In
our public school system and feel 1t
my duty to foster and defend it. All
the while / recognize the unselfish,
earnest work of the priests and sis
tiers who are engaged in Sectarian
parochial school activities. These
self sacrificing men and women are
untiring In their efforts to bring up
the children placed in their care in
what they conscientiously believe TO
be the only right way. They set a
wonderful example of self denial.
obedience and self restraint not only
to their pupils but to the community
at large. They are rendering faith
full service to their church and be-
lieve that the church should control
education, and that the State should
recognize their sectarian schools by
apportioning to them 4 proper share
of the public money.
These priests and sisters also in
their sectarian charity work and in
their hospitals and asylums practice
every economy, and with limited
funds achieve extraordinary results.
l do not doubt that with the means