The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-02-17

ume 10 tlme, as The circumstances OF Inc
people may authorize, academies, colleges,
seminaries of learning within the State.
Laws providing for the support OF pub
! lie schools were among the earliest OF our
enaclmen,s, and a commendable degree
Of liberali,y has been manifested by sue
cessve Legislatures in the endowment OF
Our higher seminaries OF learning. Tho
duty imposed, has been, in this particular,
faithfully performed. Bnl the question has
arisen from time 10 time, whether some.
thing further is not required, - whether the
circumstances Of the people do not au-
ihorize that something further should be done
TO give more thorough and earnest efficen-
cy 10 those seminaries of humber preien.
sions, but of far higher importance 10 the
people at large-our public schools. With
this objec, IN view, The Legislature in eish.
teen hundred and forly.six established a
Board Of Education. and in eighteen hun
dred and forty.seven, Teachers Institutes
Whether a subsequent, Legislature acted
wisely in aboishing both, it does not be-
come me 10 decide. But so strong are my
convictions that the substitute provided by
the Legislature is totally inadequate 10 the
attainment of the object in view, that ! do
not hesitate 10 Recommend he repeal OF
the Act creating it.. I refer 10 The Act es.
tabllshing the office of Commissioner of
Common Schools for each county in the
State, approved April 26, 1852.
wonld no; be understood as entertaining
the opinion iha, there is no necessity for a
general superintendent and supervision Of
our public schools, or that they would not
derive essential benefit, directly or indirec,.
", from the efforts Of earnest devoted Ia.
borers in The cause OF popular education.
But the superin,endence of skiliul, compe-
tent teachers, rather than Of committees or
commissioners is the great want. Supply
this want, and you give an additional mo-
tive power 10 The migh,icst engine which hu.
man ingenuity has ever devised or employed
for the advancement OF montal and moral
freedom.
] should be happy 10 lay before you al
Irhis time, the information contemplated by
o Resolve passed a, the las, session, having
reference TO the education Of teachers for
common schools, but circumstances beyond
my control prevent. The authority confer.
red by that Resolve having expired by lin.
italion, sugges, 10 you the eXpediency Of
passing a similar one, should nothing deiin.
lie upon the subject be accomplished at the
present session. From the interes, hereto.
fore manifested, and more recent indica-
tions Of public sentiment, infer that your
attention will be called 10 this subject, and
| bespeak it for your favorable considera.
tions.
| In my first official communication 10 the
Legislature, recommended the appropr-
alton Of a sum of money sufficient TO CON-
pleie the agricultural and geological survey
OF the State, commenced some years since,
| but, In my estimation. prematurely suspend.
ed. did so in tho belief that the pecuni-
ary interests OF the Stale would be promoted
thereby. The bare fact that in large ma.
oIiiy of The States composing the Union,
similar surveys have been completed, or
are now in progress, constitutes oil itself
alone a good reason why Maine should not
be behind her sister States in the attempt
10 discover and develoPe her natural re.
sources. But the further fact us established
by official reports, that the result OF those
surveys has been without exception, the
discovery of sources OF wealth before un-
known, furnishes still stronger reason for
the prosecution OF The work in this State
No reasonable doubt can be entertained that
il will, sooner or later, be resumed and
completed. Tho longer it is delayed,
the longer will SO much Of the natural
wealth OF The State as would be brought 10
lgh, by il, remain unproduciive. A careful
review OF The reasons which induced me 10
recommend this measure 10 the favorable
consideration of your predecessors, has
strengthened my conviction OF its impor-
tance, and am constrained by sense OF
duty 10 renew the recommendation.
The Consular Convention OF the Odd OF
February last, between the United States
and France, contains a stipulation on the
part OF the United States, that The President
shall recommend 10 those States oflhe Union
by whose existing laws aliens are not per.
mi,ied 10 hold real estate. the passage oI
such laws as may be necessary for The pur-
pose of comforting that right. have TO in
| form YOU that in accordance with the slipu-
lalion adverted TO, the President has COM
municated 10 The Executive of this State,
his recommendation ,ha, If French subjects
are no, allowed to hold real estate in Maine,
under existing laws, that right may be con.
ferred upon them.
The embarassments which have attended
the organization Of the State government al
the present session, growing ou, Of the fail.
ure OH the part OF The people TO elect ma
ioriy Of the members Of one branch OF the
Legislature, and the strong probability of a
recurrence of the same stale of affairs, can
not fail 10 suggest 10 you, and the people OF
the State al large, the expediency, il no, The
necessity, OF some change in our Consiita.
ton. recommend 10 you the adoption of
the preliminary measures necessary 10 Ell
feet such a change.
congratulate you, gentlemen, and our
fellow citizens at large, upon the present
highly prosperous condition Of our State in
its various interests. TIE conviction which
cannot fail TO exist in every observing mind,
that this prosperity is not merely foriuitous,
temporary, the effect Of some extraneous
cause liable al any moment y be removed,
but rather the legitimate consequence OF en-
terprise wisely directed and labor judicions.
ly employed, renders IL still more proper
subject for congraiula,ion.
So far rs il is within our power, by legis-
laiive action, TO encourage industrial effort,
whether by developing tho resources OF the
State, thereby opening new fields for enter
prise, or by furnishing additional facilities
and inducements for The investment OF cap.
i,al, i, is our duty so 10 10. look 10 pros.
periiy at home as The means Of staying The
tide Of emigration which has been setting
SO strongly 10 the west, and ofcallins back
many OF our young and vigorous population,
now seeking employment and competence
abroad. No measure which will tend 10
produce results SO desirable should be lefl
uniried.
I congratulate you also, as citizens Of the
Republic. upon our present prosperous con.
dition as nation. Maintaining, rs trust
We ever may, amicablc relations with oil the
civilized nations OF the earth. in the free on.
ioymcnt Of oil tho blessings and privileges
Incident 10 n nonular form Of goyernment, |