The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-03-22


quate compensation. II requires so much
time 10 visi, tho schools in remote districts
that the Office Of Supervisor is, by no means,
. very desirable one, while, on the other
hand, the interest felt in our village schools
and their easy accessibility render their ex.
animation by committee much more TO-
wiling. ] suggest, therefore, that our Com.
mon Schools be divided into two districts,
one comprising the schools in The present
village district, the other including the eight
which ore more remote. .E ..
would further suggcs, the proprie,y Of
electing a Supervisor whose duty il shall be
TO visit, from time 10 time, the schools in the
outside districts, and who shall receive for his
services q fair remuneration. Local school
agents may be appointed by this Council,
whose duties shall DO The same a. those Of
The district agents formerly were.
would recommend the appointment BY
tho Council Of School Committee Of six
members Tor the Villsge district; two Of
these holding Office Tor three years, two for
two years and two for one year, thus caus-
ing . vacancy OF only two to be supplied for
each municipal year. These appointments
will DO considered as honorary, and the du-
ties Of the Office will be cheefiully per-
formed by those whom you may choose to
designate. ] will state that this division OF
labor appears 10 be productive Of good re-
suits in other cities.
You will allow inc 10 allude to The sub
ject Of our High School. Occasionally,
since its formation, objections have been
made by some to its continuance, upon the
ground that first class sdvsnt- ges were not
afiordcd to the pupils. The teacher has
been insutficicntly paid he has not been
allowed proper assistants; he has had no
chemical or philosophical apparatus at his
disposal; he has not had suitable cabinet
aud diagrams for illustration. Notwilh.
standing these serious disadvantages, the
.chool has grown In public favor, and Il 10
our privilege to aid In rendering Il even
more worthy Of support.
II Is we'll known by tho citizens OF Saco
that the Thornton Academy was Tor many
wears a fourishing educational institution
Upon the burning Of the Academy building
in 1913 the Trustees decided not tn erect
another edifce immediately, and the con.
struc,ion Of the building has been postponed
for substantial reasons.
In fact, since that unfortunate cnnfsgra-
ton there has been no Arademy 10 Saco,
and the Thornton fund has been allowed to
accumulate, by added interest, up to the
present time.
The Thornton endowment was for the
purpose Of afording superior educational
dvantages 10 the scholars Of this vicinity,
but II was not designed to support free
Academy. Pupils were expected to pay a
moderate tuition fee for the privileges en-
ioyed. There Is no need Of referring to The
high reputation which the old Thornton
Academy deservedly won.
II seems desirable that the youth Of Saco
should BE- permitted In some way to receive
the benefits which can be derived from Q
legitimate use Of the Thornton fund. The
amount originally given for educational
purposes has been held in trust by a board
Of gentlemen who have judiciously invested
il, and the fund 10 now over twenty-five
thousand dollars.
I would commend TO your serious con
sidcralion the subject Of comforting with
the Trustees Of the Thornton Academy
fund. 1t is highly probable that some az
rangemcnt may be made to merge our pres
ent High School in an academy wl"sc ad-
vaniaCes will be superior to those now az
fordcd in our city. II Is obvious that the
sum Of $500 now annually expended for
the support Of the High Schoul would give
an ample scholarship fund for the free edu'
cation Of advanced pupils.
To illustrate this, let us suppose that upon
the completion Of satisfactory arrangements
with the trustees Of the Academy, suitable
building should be erected, and suitable APP
para,us procured tor the purpose OF study.
do not hesitate 10 say that The cabinets OF
the York Institute would be ut once rcmov-
oil to rooms in properly constructed, fire.
proof Academy building. With the scien.
life apparatus aud the cabinets, with the in
creased facilities for impariing practical in-
struc,ion, our High School teacher with his
assistants would make The Academy credit
to the City and an honor to the State.
Less than the amount yearly paid out for
our High School, would secure free scholar
ships for tho children Of our citizens. In
such an Academy they would enjoy So.
perior educational privileges. would
therefore, advise the appointment Of COM
miliee 10 confer with the Trustees OF the
fund, for the purpose OF, exam'n'ng INTO inc
expediency Of uniting the High School and
Academy.
roL'oE'
A large majority Of our population are
law-abiding, and the services Of n police
force are not frequently required, yet there
are sorhe exceptions; and, rs tho very fact
Of our having veil organized police would
DO The hes, guarantee sgnl"st disorder and
lawlessness 10 nur streets, J would com
mend this subject TO your careful cons'dera'
lion. l refer you TO The accompanying ro'
port for details as TO police operations du-
ring the municipal year just closed.
cARx or the pooR.
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ii, =" =. ,s.I wi,h i,,s,es, hv o.,, c;,;,sn.
!. " ,,.,;rv;n" fact that Tho nn,nhs, 81
p.,,o,. \, nv, c;,v il an ANAL ,,Lo m.
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