Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-01-10

which pertain TO a seat of popular learning
The true design of the Normal School
seems a. yet but impcrfeetly understood.
The idea is somewhat new that teachers Of
common school require especial instruction
aud training for their profession. This
principle, however, is recognized m prac-
tice. and the Normal School il in It's design
aud its facilities nothing less than probes
sional school for teachers.
The College of Agriculture and Mcehan'
&c Arts is an Institution which should enhst
the warmest interest OF every hoersi MIMI.
ell man IL Is a subject Rpon which We must
expect great diversity OF feeling and op'n.
ION. There is no doubt an advantage m
this. bu, IL is feared that this difference OF
opinion ina Tie present state OF affairs
mounts TO . serious obstacle TO the prosper
i,y of The College In demonstrating ;hc
Board OF Trustees IN accordance with the
act providing Tor the same, found IL Diff
col; to induce gentlemen most naturally
suggested, to accept the position. Those
who were appointed have labored faithfully
for the College. aud appear 10 have made
the best use of the materials at hand. A
commodious building has been erected as .
dormitory, at an expense OF something more
than bali tha appropriation OF last winter.
and materials have been collected for the Ia
boraiory. for which IL is the opinion OF some
be granted. i cannot speak with entire
confidence in the matter. but as il now mp
pears should advise expanding no more
than the balance Of the last appropriation
upon laboratory for the present, having
this 10 locaI ed and constructed that when
the wants of the institution require or It's
means allow \ more complete laboratory,
this building can without much loss be APP
propriaied to some other use. We must be
warned by the errors which have we'll nigh
ruined similar institutions OF other States.
Ours should not he allowed TO impoverish
itself at the outset by disproporiionate In
vesiment IN buildings. and thereby weaken
It's interior and vital organization until il
has not power to I'LL them. So much. too.
will the success ofthe College depend upon
hts relations with the men who are placed in
immediate charge of 10. that IT would ap.
pear to me best TO have the important per.
mancnt buildings planned according to their
judgment, and erected under their supervis-
ION. Until. then its teachers are on The
spot and lis general course and plan OF op.
peration are determined. prudence and eau.
ton should be the policy OF the College.
MY views as 10 the demand for such an in
stitution IN our State. and the broad and bril-.
liant career OF usefulness that will open he.
fore it. are not changed. Nor is there any
operations. ii will fail on strong friends
among our liberals eirixens. or of the cor
dia! pupport OF the State.
The visit OF the Governor and Council 10
the Perkins Institute for the Blind ara Boo
ton. and the American Asylum for the Deaf
and Dumb. at Hartford, excited our deepcs,
interest. IL was rnos' CRAFTY ing TO observe
the faithful care and instruction that were
given 10 those unfortunate children. The
81, 81
Hartford WIRE most remark able. I take
grc~t pleasure in commencing those insii,u-
iions 10 your continued favor. Application
has been received in behalf OF persons desir-
ing to avail themselves OF different system
OF deaf mute instruction-tbc aIiiculating
meihod-ahich - thought TO be better Tor
those who are partially deal. or who have
once learned to speak. This system 10
tansbt in a school recently opened IN Mass
achusetts. and would recomend that the
provision which nov spplies to our pupils
IN the American Asylum be extended TO
this school.
RsfoRMAToRY INSTITUTIONS.
The reform School has entered upon a
course Of unusual prosperity Hon W
Woodbury. elected Super int endeni
early IN the year, and the result ofhs iud--
ment and energy are already apparent IN
the thorough 5racing up Of every depart
nient OF the institution. 4 balance against
the school at the beginning Of the wear
OF nearly $500. has been exchanged for
balance ia i.s favor Of some $1,000. and
In other more important respects the insti.
tuition Is coming into a condition to relieve
the doubts and anxieties which have so long
made At seem 8 burden rathe than a benefit
to the State. We cannot expect this school
to be self supporting bot the appropriation
asked this year ~ moderate.
resolve OF the last 10 sislsiure provided
for report on the 80 jet OF an institution
similar to ihs Reform School for the benefit
of girls, Ia be called. IN order 10 avoid sug.
ges,ions damaging to the sensitive character
oi woman. the Industrial School for girls.
The examination OF this subject was as.
signed 10 Hon. Geo. Il. Barrows, whose
familiarity with The history and operation
OF similar institutions eminently hts him for
the service. His report Is still expected,
but understand that he recommends the
establishment OF such an Institution. and
tha; the suggestion Is warmly seconded by
some Of our best citizens IL is lamentably
true. that there 10 demand for such
school. and II Is happily true also that the
protection or rescue OF womanhood FROM
the influences Of evil, IS ork mos, ben.
ehcial 60 so,ie ;y. AZ we'll as be -oming to
men. should say without hesitation that
the reclamation or guardianship Of giries
from wrong ways - OF more importance
than that Of boys. The reasons OF this will
be apparent to every observsnt or rehsctin I,
mind IL we do not have an institution
Tor this purpose we certainly should have
society OF association We may not be able
no" TO enter upon this undertaking but IL
Is 10 be hoped that some Of our public
spirited ard generous ciiics-Bangor for
insiance-may ofIer 10 interest itself in thu.
good work.
The rnnnrt 81 lie -. H. -