Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-05-23

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as means of qualification. others as means Of
substance, and will incite them to the acquisi-
ton of degree of knowledge far beyond the
legitimate scope of common school education
Carried to this extent, education becomes pro-
fesslonal and there is no good reason why it
should be acquired at public expense, which
Will not apply with equal force to any of the vo-
cations OF life. Institutions, of higher grade
than the free school, are then, necessary for the
education of teachers, and for the progressive
advancement of science. Without such insttu-
tons as auxlliaries, also, it is believed that our
free schools cannot attain to that degree of use
fulness of which they are susceptible. The at
tempt to supply their place by intermingling
literary and scientific studies with those pertain
ing to common schools, must be traught with
great detrlment TO the progress of education,
and must be highly pernicious to pupils, by in
citing them, In the present state of rivalry of
parents and children, to the pursuit of studies
untitled to their capacities, and to their future
sphere of usefulness.
These, gentlemen, are suggestions | would
not make, but that the idea seems to be some
what prevalent that our free schools can and
should be made the only means for education
a substitute for all other literary institutions
The Constitution makes it your 90 duty to en-
courage and suitably endow from time TO time,
as the circumstances of the people may author
lze, all academies, colleges, and semenaries of
learning" Justice and sound policy would
seem TO dictate that YOU should render all nee
essary aid TO those already established in older
sections of the State, and that you should es-
tabish and "suitably endow" others, in the new
and growing sections, to the full extent of a
fair demand for such institutions.
1t is derogatory to the character of our State,
that we have no well endowed seminary for The
education of females. There are, it is true, a
few institutions of this description established
and kept alive by private efforts, but feeble and
languishlng for the want of that efficient aid
which is due from the State, and which other
States have cheerfully and literally rendered.
Our daughters, in order to obtain any degree of
education beyond that of the village school,
must 60 to Massachusetts, or elsewhere, at an
expense of from three TO five hundred dollars a
year, when all desirable facilities might be fur
nishcd to them within the limits of the State at
less than half that sum.
In this connection l would direct your atten-
tion TO the importance of establishing an agri-
cultural school, as means of advancing knowl-
edge and diffusing information upon that depart
ment of industry which lies at the foundation of
the wealth and prosperity of every civilized
people. My immediate predecessor very aptly
and very forcibly presented this subject in his
annual messages of lS47 and 1919. For fur
ther information upon it, would refer YOU TO
the very able report of the Committee on Agri-
cultural Schools, presented to the last Legisla-
ture.
The report of the Land Agent will make
you acquainted with the condition of our public
lands. need not remind you that this branch
of the public interest is, in all its aspects, polt
ical, pecunary, and industrial, one of paramount
Importance. These lands are the property of
the State, and should be managed for the equal
! benefit of every section of the State, and of
every individual init
Our timber lands, it is believed, are general
ly unfit for agricultural purposes. To promote
the enterprise of our citizens, and to invite the
investment of their capital and labor, should be
the leading feature of our policy in the manage
ment of these lands, while due regard to the
wants of the future would require a prudent
husbandry of them. They should not be held
up as reserved fund to replenish the treasu-
ry, nor should they be permitted 10 pass into
the hands of capitalists TO speculate, in present
and future time, upon the demands and necesSi-
ties for labor but they should be made availa-
bic to enterprise and productive industry, to the
full extent of the fair business demand for such
employment | would respectfully suggest, as
questions demanding considerations, whether
the practical operation of our laws has been
| such as to meet these requirements whether
due facility has in all cases been given to the
manufacture of lumber on our own soil-wheth-
er the laws have not had the effect to throw
| large and valuable tracts of timber lands into
the hands of capitalists Tin some instances iv-
ing out of the State,) to be used for purposes of
mere speculation.
For many years past our agricultural lands
have ceased to be regarded as source of reve-
nue.. A wise economy suggests that they should
be thrown open on easy terms to actual settlers
that they may be occupied by an enterprlslng
and thrifty yeomanry. The policy of the State
has heretofore been extremely liberal in relation
to this portion of our public domain still set
Elements have for many years, and especially
for the last two or three, been exceedingly tar
dy. The failure of the wheat and potato crops,
the want of ready market, which numbering
operations would afford, have proved serious
obstacles in the way. But the first of those OBJ
stacles are now passing away, and the latter, II
is believed, will soon be removed. 1t would
seem that the small cash payment in advance
now required, would offer no serious impedi-
ment, but small as it may appear, however, 1t
may prove heavy burden TO that class of our
fellow citizens who would be most likely 10 oc-
cupy tneSc llflQS. Al lnlS llmc, While tne lell-
dency to emigration is so strong, it becomes
doubly important that our people should be fur
nIshed with inducements to stay at home. Ii
may be questionable whether any we can offer
will accomplish the object. 1t is a common re-
mark, that it would be better for us to give
away our lands than TO suffer them to remain
unoccupied Would it not be well to make the
experiment.
will venture to propose that lot be given
to every man who will agree to occupy it with
the honest intention OF making it the place o.
his permanent residence, requiring such securi-
ty only as shall insure the performance of his
contract. Should it be thought unadvisabe to
offer all the lots upon the terms proposed, lei
each alternative lot be disposed of in this man.
ner.
On recurring to the reports of the Bank Com
missioner, it will be seen that the aggregate O
the bank capital in the State has been about the
same for the past six years, varying but little
fiom three millions of dollars, and that the cir
culalion of the bills of the banks has not beer
subject to much fuctuation during that period
averaging about two and quarter millions. II
will also appear that the ratio which the circu
latlon has borne to the capital has been greatel
for the last six years than during the proceeding
ten. The circulation in 1S49 exceeded only BY
a very trlfing amount the circulation In lo45
These facts would seem to indicate that the cir
culation has been extended during the six years
to the utmost limits compatible with the restrlc
tions imposed by the laws, and secondly, tha
the circulation is not now commensurate witt