The Portland daily press., 1869-01-05
ITEMS.
School Returna.

To the Editor Of the Press;
Damon" and Pythias of the Press-their
personal relations, as 1 am told, justify the
comparison,-not content with existing lau-
rels, seek to win new ones by renewed devo-
ton.
They seek to show that L was in error
in ascribing decrease of scholars, as shown
in the returns to the State Treasurer, in part
to increased taxation-as taxation was not
based upon scholars, but upon inhabitants. If
they are right, what of it? 1t is a matter of
opinion merely. 1 need not repeat what has
been already said; but must allow these gem
tlemen to enjoy their opinions till the next
census shall decide who is right. The fairness
of Damon, in charging me with having "re-
sorted to a subterfuge,' can be justified by the
example of the boy who, if he could not argue,
could call names and make up faces
Seriously, is there anybody in the world,
damon and Pythias" excepted, who actually
believes that there was a falling off in the
number of scholars in Maine, from 1860 to 1868,
to the extent of 1920 persons? If so, the pro-
portion of children in Maine will fall below 40
per cent of the population, and below that of
any New England State in 1860.
In 1850, as stated in my reply to Mr.. john
son, children under 20 years of age formed 40
percent of the population of Maine; in 1860,
As per cent. There was an increase of Al, ,110
persons from 1850 to 1860, of which increase
4,591 were children under 20 years of age. In
Massachusetts, in 1860 the children formed Al
per cent. of the population,-in New Hamp-
shire, Al 4-1O,-Connectcut, Al 1O,-Rhode
Island 42; in Vermont, A per cent.
Can any one believe that the change of hab-
its and pursuits of the people of Maine have
been such as to produce an actual falling off
Of some 10000 Of the population under 20 years
of age, while there has been an increase of 81
900 in the population, or S12 per cent from
1860 to 1863
The assessors of the internal revenue,-act-
ing through their subordinates, reaching into
every subdivision of their respective districts
estimated the population of Maine, July
1, 1868, at 6s29sO persons, while in my
report to the Governor, based upon the
return of polls and votes and other facts,
showed an aggregate of 68S071 persons
These were but approximate estimates, based
upon different data, but generally regarded as
below, rather than above the truth.
The population of Portland was estimated
by me at 20 29357-Lewiston at IL 11O52-Bidde-
ford at 970S. Each estimate is below that of
the respective municipal officers of EACH
There has been no very great change in the
habits or pursuits of our people since 1860.
Farming has been, and still is, our leading
pursuit.
1t is easy to believe there might have been a
falling off during the severest periods of the
war from the terrors of the draft and the dis.
couragements thrown in the way, by political
alarmists, who declared "he Dar a .failurei"
But with the return ofpeaee has come prosper
ity to the farmers, and some branches ofindus-
try still thrive. The publication ofs.atements
disparaging to Maine, as exhibited in the COM
munication of Damon, who said "the war
called away thousands of young men between
the ages of 1s and 21 who never returned" !"
that "our young men are enigrating in larger
numbers than formerly" may aid in the work
ofdepopulation.
1t NAV not be fair to assert that some one ia
the employ of some emigrant aid society, or
some Railroad land company in tho West
anxious to entce away the young men of
Maine inspires his pen; but is only necessary
to give State or locality bad name, to hold
up the advantages of others in contrast, to
make young men discontented and migratory
A good story is told of shrewd specu'tator,
who coming in possession OF a tract of rich lands
in the West, found all the localities bearing
bad names. Here was "feger creek" there,
"rattlesndke holloe0," "dgLe bend" and "cholerd
Tneadoo0" all significant of the trials of the
earliest pioneers. He made new plan, sub
stituting pleasant Galley" golden ridge" aud
other appropriate name for places, as discrip-
ton of the real value and attractions of his
possessions, and a more hardy race OF emigrants
soon cnoverted the proprietor's dreams into
reality.
Is it not about time for the chronic habit OF
disparaging everything in Maine to DO broken
up by an "alterative course" 1t Is iar oet'er
e. ro,nr mo, N unit the State outright than
stay at home and abuse it.
Portland, Jan. 2, 1859.