Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-09-19

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sponsibility of the teachers or TO-
day who in great part must train the
youth of America for their coming
work, Governor Ralph Q. Brewster
in a speech Friday evening before
the members of the Augusta Rotary
Club and the entire teaching force
of the Augusta public schools VINO
were their guests, declared that It IS
his belief that both groups should
have the same motto.
Service above self" is the motto
of the Rotary Club and Governor
Brewster stated that from his ex-
perience as teacher he believed
that as a class they follow the mot
to, because the financial returns re-
ceived by the majority of teachers
are not by any means excessive.
He explained forcefully to the
large gathering the increased need
for the right kind of instruction In
the schools, because of the change
in home conditions, the growing lack
of religious influence and the loss
Of the small town. influence. The
governor cited the case of Bolshe-
visit Russia, where teaching heads
the list of professions and is the
highest paid, in proving his conten-
ton that the world relies more and
more upon the teachers.
He deplored the growing unrest
and the different notions of morality
which are manifest in the youth OF
the present day and declared that 1t
is a menace that cannot be ignored
1t can be combatted by proper reli-
gious teaching and the laying down
of the right moral precepts but how
far this can be accomplished in the
public schools of the land Is a
question that has not yet been de-
cided, he declared. 1t Is true how
ever, that no nation has been able
to continue with atheistical tenden-
cies prevalent among the younger
members of its population, and this
thing must be guarded against
through the influence which the
teachers have upon the youth of the
land.
The talk by Governor Brewster
was of intense interest and the
teachers were greatly impressed by
his outline of the responsibilities Of
their profession. 1t was explained
by President Everett v. Perkins.
when introducing the governor that
he was at one time principal of the
Castine High school, and that he had
been for several years member of
the school board of the City of
Portland, beside having two children
who are being educated In the public
schools, and for that reason he felt
the Governor to be we'll qualified to
talk upon. this subject.
There were nv acfua1 count 1SS RO-
tarians and teachers in the large BAN
quet hall at the Augusta House when
a rap by the presiding officer brought
the meeting to order. After welcom-
ing the teachers in a short, interest
ing and at times humorous talk, he
asked Charles Bilodeau to lead the
singing. With Harrison Lyseth, who
filled both classified tons, that of a
teacher and that of a Rotarian. at the
piano, several songs were sung be-
fore the banquet was enjoyed.
During the first course a lady was
introduced by President Perkins as
Isabelle Espenheimer, the new super
visor of modes and manners. She
was clad in a gown with hat to ma tch
of the latest hue. and explained that
her duties would be to pep" up the
fair city Of Augusta by teaching the
women teachers and the girls of the
schools the latest "stuff" Isabelle
appeared to be perfectly capable of
doing this and her contributions to
the educational development of Au-
gusta will doubtless be watched with
great interest. Several people noticed
a startling resemblance between the
fair Isabelle and one James Comedian
who last year was he coach for both
the boys and girls basketball teams
from Cony high school. Music for the
evening was furnished by Eastman's
Melody Mixers. At the finish Of the
speech by Governor Brewster the en-
tire gathering sang America and the
formal part of the evenings enter
tainment was brought to a close. 1t
was announced that short time
would be devoted to getting acquaint-