The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-02-02
AUGUSTA, Jan. 81, 1855.

.s.. AUGUSTA, Jan. 81, 1855.
Since my las, was written, the ordinary
business Of legislation has progressed quite
as rapidly as is consis,an, with correc, ac-
ton. Nothing o. in,eres, 10 York County,
alone, has been transacted, If we except
the passage-,o be enac,ed--pf the "Ac,
10 incorporate the city Of Biddsiord,n which
has now passed in both branches, and only
awaits Gov. Morrill's signature, 10 become
law Of the land. i, will probably be
signed tomorrow; and then, The good peo.
pie may, or may not, accept the conditions
Of the charter. II accepted, we wish ii 10
be understood, that we cauno, dispossess
the old city Of York from any claim il may
have, 10 the honor OF being the frs, city IN
the County Of York. II we are no; mis,ak-
en-, tina, place was laid on, into city by
virtue Of charter obtained from his Maj
esiy's Government many years ago, and
streets were laid out, and all the steps nee
essary 10 make il a "goodly" city, taken.
Blu, we must leave The city 10 take care Of
itself, and pass 10 other matters.
Among The matters Of general interest,
which have iranspired since my last, is the
reporting, by the Committee on Education,
Of three resolves granting seven half town.
ships Of land 10 the Readfeld, Westbrook
and Maine. State Summaries two hall
townships 10 The frs, named, aud three TO
the last named, the Maine, State Seinina-
ry,-or an equivalent from the State ,rea,
sury. We think there is ar indispOsliOn
OIL the part Of the Legislature, 10 make
these appropriations. The State is in debt,
and BY Resolve passed in 1850, The sales
OF the public lands were pledged 10 the
payment Of the public debt. Should the
Governor and Council elect, give the equiv.
alent in money, an appropriation OF some
fifty or sixty thousand dollars mus, be made
for the purpose, and this money must either
be raised by an addition 10 the State tax, or
by loan on which in,eres, mus, be paid
Under these circumstances, many feel that
the Stale has, really, nothing TO give; or,
at least, il she has anything, i, would be
more meriotious 10 give i, 10 the common
schools. This feeling may deiea, these
Resolves. In connection with this subjec.
Of education, We would remark, ,ha, bill
for the establishment, Of Normal schools,
originated BY Mr.. Body Of Cumberland,
seems 10 strike the friends of the common
schools. very iavorably. The bill has been
ordered 10 be printed. I, is short, and lis
features are these. The frs, section pro.
vides for the establishment, Of three Normal
schools, designed entirely for the education
Of teachers, and 10 supper: these schools,
the sum Of twelve thousand dollars is ap.
propriaied in equal proportions, out OF the
Bank tax. The schools 10 be under The
management Of Board Of Trustees, who
are authorized 10 accep, propositions from
any person, or corporation, TO furnish build.
ings and apparatus sufficient TO accominc-
date two hrndred pupils and when these
are accepted, then the appropriation for the
supper, Of the school shall apply. There
/, fel, 10 be a great wan, of properly trained
teachers, and this division OF a portion Of
the Bank tax, is no violation Of The purpo-
ses 10 which this school fund has been de-
voted. The passage Of bill Of this char.
ac,er, would be no drain upon the treasury;
and would supply wan, which has sadly
diminished the usefulness o: the common
schools. = HH ."
There has been some action of the Leg
stature, looking 10 some alterations OF the
Judiciary system, but although Commis.
sioner for,he Arranging OF new system may
be appointed, s,ill change is extremely
problemaiical Some sections OF The Stale,
or rather, we should say, the Bar Of snme
OF the counties, u anxious for change,
bu, in other quarters the system is said 10
Soik well. Il is argued BY those opposed
10 tie change, that the system has no, hid
hir trial, and thi, feeling will have
much to do with keeping toe system where
i, is. The Ksanebec Journal has heen Sc
ieci ed rs the State p'per. We notice thai
a paragraph, copied rom The Arsus or
State Of Maine, is going The rounds OF The
papers, thai the Journal had only Que ma
iori,y in the caucus when the selection was |
made. This is no, so. On, eishy-eishl
ro,e. cast, The Journal had siNly.ssyen;
oxford Democrat 90; scattering L. This
Is all night. The Ase bows to The gull
loliue with great meekn,ss, and well Il
~ 50 u 5sr.r $3.50 L ~