The Portland daily press., 1865-02-21
Glimpses of the Capitol.
AUGUSTA, Feb. 20, 1855.

Wnen the question was taken, with the result
given in your paper of Monday. To-day the
question of engrossment will come up, and
gentlemen have avowed their deternlhatioh
to present and press amendments. But, from
| the decided vote on Saturday, oil u to 4o,i
NAV be set down as quite certain that nothing
short of the absolute repeal of the section,
win satisfy the majority. 1t will appear in the
Senate, of course, as soon as disposed of in
the House, and of its fate there, do not
know. The victors flushed with suscess,
claim an easy victory in this branch-and go
so far as to claim two of the Senators from
Cumberland, on their side. This sounds
strange, and if true, indicates pretty certainly
what success this proposed change of policy is
to meet with in that branch, in regard TO the
western part of the State.
One-half of the Committee on Agriculture
five out of ten-have made minority report,
on the Agricultural College. They are not
Committee in sending the matter to the next
Legislature. They feel the importance OF ini-
tiating this great enterprise, at once; and not
to allow it to lie along from year to year, for
want of disposition to grapple with and make
the most oft. They have, therefore, not only
made report against the reference, but also
have presented an elaborate bill of eighteen
sections, going into full arrangement of the
college, its studies, teachers, and general
workings The bill proposes to make no
charge for tuition to any student, who is an
inhabitant Of this State. At this late day of
the session, with the determination of the
members to close the session within week
from this day, the fate of the bill of these sed
ulous gentlemen is settled. 1t will probably
share the fortune of the measure itself as pre-
posed by the majority, and be sent to the next
legislature with the rest of the papers.
The Governor, in his annual message, sug-
gested the abolition of the office of Superin-
tendents of Common Schools. That sugges-
| ton was referred to the Committee on Educa-
ton. They have also had referred to them,
Orders of inquiry as to the expediency Of es-
tablishing Board of Education. On all these
matters they have just made report-signed
by the whole committee. They announce their
conclusion: "The State SUPPLEMENTARY of
Schools ought not to be abolished" But,
"the present system being less efficient than
desirable, through want of proper co-operat-
ing agencies in the several counties, it should
be SO modified as to render it more efficient"
A bill is submitted to carry out these purpos-
es. It creates a Department OF Public In
struction-the head of which shall be styled
the superintendent of Public Instruction. ?
and his salary be $500 per year, with inciden-
tai expenses not exceeding $500.
The bill also provides for county board of in
struction. This is to be composed of the School
Committees of the several counties They shall
meet and choose county Superintendent
of Schools, who may or may not be one of
their number. He shall aid the general Super
intendent in conducting the exercises Of the
county institute, shall visit the several towns
In his county to advise with teachers, &C., up-
on the affairs of the puplic schools; and shall
hold at least one meeting in every town, to dis
cuss the duties and relations of parents.
teachers, &C., to tue schools, and by all prac-
ticable methods promote the interests of edu-
cation within the county. An institute of in.
instruction in each county, of three days con-
tinuance, is provided for annually. The Su-
perintendent is authorized to prepare State
certificates of two grades, to be styled the
grammer school certificate, and the high
school certificate. Candidates for teachers Of
these schools are to be examined, and if it be
satisfactory, to receive a certificate for three
years, emitting them to teach in the State, The
bill is radical in its character, proposing i'm
portant changes in the present order of thing s,
and no doubt will receive careful scrutiny
before its policy, or any portions of it, is
adopted.
The Committee on the State Prison have
aroused to the necessity of more stringent
regulations as to runaways from PRISONS
When that raider into Calais-C olns-laid
his PLOT to break away from our State prison,
in which he was successful-he would hardly
have escaped apprehension, if this law
now reported, had been on the books and ri
gidly enforced hitherto. The fact is, that
sccundrel worked along through Lincoln
county, after he scaled the walls, and Just es-
capped drowning, by going into the houses OF
bis Secesh friends, and getting warmed and
fed. Thus he worked along through the dan
gerous district. Notwithstanding the force
on his track he eluded them all, by their help
fed to the woods for hiding place, and fnal-
/ ly got himself clear of danger. II this bill
pass, and these, or any other pseudo pLilan-
thropists help convict to escape, or aid him
with food, clothing, weapons, after he has es-
capped, they shall be punished by imprison-
ment in the State prison for a term of time.
not exceeding the whole time for which said
convict was sentenced, or by fine not exceed
ing $500. ha
The enforcement of these provisions If
they become law, aud have no doubt they
will, will do much to relieve the State of one
block under the Wheel as to these runaways
No sooner have they scaled the walls, or
knocked the keeper over, and bolted through
the guard house, than somebody outside is
ready to do the needful to disguise them and
prevent their recapture. Under this new law.
If the State lose the labor of the convict, and
the convict his proper share Of punishment, a
new customer may be put in his place if the
mischevous party outside the prison door can
but be ferreted out. To do that would be but
slight service. Give the officers the law, and
the result will be salutary. la
You may have noticed that the Committee
on Finance have reported in favor of resolve
| which limits the State bounty to volunteers,
&c. to 500 per man; this sum to be paid
by certificates of indebtedness, bearing inter-
est, and payable in 1867. They recommend
also, that the State tax be fifteen mills, and
thus no increase to the permanent debt of the
State will be required. One million of dollars
is authorized to be raised by temporary loan.
The taxes are to take care of the indebtedness