The Portland daily press., 1865-01-06

school, or the proprlety OF inauguraIng an
other. The friends Of the Normal School pro-
Tess to be satisfied with the beginning. That
it may be perfect success is certainly 10 be
desired.
A disposition for some years past has been |
manifested to abolish the office of Superin- |
tendent of Common Schools, aud 1t Is believed |
that an unwillingness to displace a most
worthy and competent official, alone has pre-
vented it. At the present time there is no
such embarrassment, the late superintendent
having resigned his position to participate WIN |
you as lswgiver.
Whether the salary of this office and the
other expenses arising therefrom, can pc saved
to the treasury without injury to the educa-
tional interests of the State, is Tor you to de-
mine The suspeuson of this Office for a time
will prove or disprove its value, II on trial
it is found expedient, it will be easy to re-
store it. gM9
Commencing the whole subject to your con-
sideration, I shall defer most cheerfully to
your decision, whatever it may be.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.
Under the Resolve relating to the estab-
lishment OF college for the benefit OF Agri-
culture and the Mechanic Arts" approved
March 24th, 1854. Honorable Mess-s VIM. G.
Crosby, Joseph Eaton and Samuel F. Perley,
were appointed by the Governor and Council,
Commissioners to perform the duties thereby
created and defined.
These gentlemen have proceeded to the dis
charge of the trust confided to them with that
intelligence and fidelity demanded by the
public expectation, and of which their char
acter was so adequate guarantee. full re-
| port of all the propositions submitted to them
for consideration, accompanied by their, own
! reasonings and conclusions upon the subject,
| will be submitted to the Legislature at an ear
| ly day. This report will, l doubt not, receive
| l.. &l.o IN htnh
| will be entitled, and, l trust, may aid you ma
terialy in the settlement of the subject to
| which it relates. seed 5gts 81 ssg ad
In other States the subject Of the most ap.
| propriate disposition of the endowment gram
| ted by the United States for Agricultural Col
Ieges, has not been unattended with difficult
ties, arising in part from the lack OF that
experience which practically and wisely
settles such questions. That diversities OF
opinion will arise with you is to be expected,
but the people will look with confidence to the
Legislature for the adoption of a policy which
shall secure the greatest possible amount OF
henefit attainable with the means at your con-
troll. s5sst .9 d 81
My own opinions upon this subject have
undergone no change within the year, and
again take the liberty to reiterate the senti-
ments heretofore expressed, that the objects
| of the grant and the interests OF the State will
be best promoted by connection of the pro,
posed college with some one of the established
| literary institutions OF the State, unless the
| national grant is largely increased by private
| contributions. The funds to be derived from
the sale of the scrip will be utterly inadequate
to the maintenance of an independent institu-
ton, and the financial condition OF the State
| forbids that one shall be established upon the
foundation of taxing the people for its sup
| port. l invoke for the settlement of this
| question your most impartial and dispassionate
consideration. tg saf s
The resolve contingently authorizing the
Governor to dispose of the scrip issued to the
State, has not been executed. 1t will be
proper that some new provision upon this SUBJ
ject shall be made by you during the session.
would respectfully ask that the responsible
ty of disposing of this scrip may not be de-
volved solely upon the Executive. but that
others, to be designated by the Legislature,
shall be associated with him in the discharge
Of this delicate duty. eaaniNs
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. rrg
The public institutions Tor the relief Of the
unfortunate or the punishment and reform of
the criminal patronized or maintained by the
State have been visited the past year by the
Governor and Council. a
The Perkins Institute for the blind at South
Boston and the American Asylum for the
| Deaf and Dumb at Hartford are too well
| known to require any special notice. The
| benefits rendered by each to the class of un-
| fortunates coming under their special care
would be utterly astonishing If they had not
become SO familiar. 4ge
The past year the number of benehciaries
supported by the State has been seven at the
Institute for the Blind and thirty three at the
| Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, and unhes-
itatingly say, that in my Judgment, no public
expenditure has been made for more worthy
objects or attended with any better results
cheerfuliy commend to the Legislature a
continuance OF its patronage to these institu-
| lions. ESQ Naffl9 LteAl29u #l40W saA
The Asylum for the Insane has been 6lled
| to its utmost capacity WITH -parf6nJs and I'M
able to receive all the applicants for it's treat
ment. The report of the Superintendent will
acquaint you with the details of its operations
and being under your own eye during the ses-
sion of the Legislature you will have ample
opportunity to judge OF its management, its
usefulness, and its ability to meet the necessi-
ties of the State. The expense of supporting
The inmates chargeable to the State has To-
creased with the advance in prices; this is I'm
avoidable and without remedy. In looking
at the vast usefulness of this institution the
wonder is how the State ever got on without
| it. tl. 1851 "a il5fl 1906
The visit to the Reform School was both in
| structive and gratifying and served to disabuse
portion of the visiting board of erroneous
opinions. 1t is to be looked upon rather as
refuge for misfortune than a receptacle for
criminals. Judging from the appearance and
size OF the children there it would seem that a
| majority quite large are hardly to be regarded
as either legally or morally accountable. ia
They are indeed the children of misfortune,
orphans by the loss of parents or made worse
than orphans by parental crminality, cast up
on society with none to care for or be interest
ed in them, to live in the purieus of our cit
-
and exposed to its pernicious example until
fQr some petty offence they find themselves
perhaps for the first time in their lives brought
within the sphere of virtuous and christian in
| 6uence. alsr 4ilsrft.i-o rss4 s-
The appearance of the children was credit
thle and their proficiency In the rudimeEts OF
education most satisfactory. hsg.a 81 y -aih
| The sentence to the Reform School of
young child during its minority, at first sight
seems harsh, but is it not rather q deed OF
kindness to children without parents or with
parents unfit to take charge of them that So
ciety gathers them up as waits upon its bosom
and undertakes to provide for their wants dur
ing their tender years and fit them for useful
ness in life? al8 tot .aa{ifI.i,t sf,tee
They are not committed to this institution
for punishment but for reform and education
under the guardianship ofthe State. AS they
arrive at asuitable age many are apprenticed
Ny Tue trustees 10 empiOyments auapted TO
their capacities. think it desirable so far as
possible TO associate from this institution the
idea that it is penal In its character and rather
connect with it the sentiment that it is ref
uge for misfortune. The expense of sustain
ing this school will be no exception to the gem
eral laws OF economy to which we are sub
ject. sall-f ~ aa.
commend it to the favorable consideration
Of the Legislature and trust that it may be Wis
tied by committee which shall take time
sufficient to examine all its workings and en-
able it to make suggestions Of any improve
ment in the regulations by which 1t is govern
ed if any is required. The report Of the Off
GERS of this institution which will be laid be-
fore you at an early day will be read by you
with interest.
In June last a thorough examination was