The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-08-11
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND.
Wednesday Morning, August II, 1863
PORTLAND.
HepuDHcan Nominations. .
FOR GOVERNOR
JOSHUA L. CHAMBERLAIN,
OF BRUNSWICK.

FOK GOVERxOR
JOSHUA L. CHAMBERLAIN,
OF BRUNSWICK.
Noies of n supervisor-LinceIn County.
THE SCHOOLS OF JEFFERSON.
OF the sixteen districts into which Jefer-
son is divided, twelve have had, or are now
having, summer schools, two viii have later
or fall terms, and two will have none until
winter, when they will have all tfeir school
in one term. Some of these schools are
quite small, and have but little money for
their support; consequently the terms are
short, although small pay is given the teach
er; and the pupils are backward. These are
the schools that particularly require the fos-
tering care, the material aid, of committees,
educators, parents and towns to provide them
with longer schools, good teachers and COM
Portable and commodious schoolhouses. 1t
is requisite to a symmetrical, intellectual de-
velopment, expansion and growth of the ju-
venile population of town or State, that all
be provided with equal means of education as
nearly as can be. There is, perhaps, as much
interest manifested in educational matters In
this town as in any town in the county; and,
yet, even here much effort is needed by the
friends of education, to awaken more thought,
stimulate 10 more activity, and draw out the
material and moral support necessary to
liberal maintenance of schools, to aid and
oh he on1 81 at and
courage the pupils. Although much has
been done in past years to secure better
schoolhouses; : yet there are several districts
still that have not respectable or comtorta-
BILE schoolhouse, but continue to disregard
the convenience, the comfort, the health OF
lapidated, worn-out, torn to-pieces, uncom-
fortably-seated house, rather than spend a
few dollars for good one. We apprehend
that it is the mighty love OF the mightier dol
lar (almighty) that forms the mightiest barTi-
er to the educational advancement OF our
State. Many OF the teachers in jefferson man
ifest good native abilities and much devotion
to their work, and some possess a good de-
gree of earnestness, and design to work
faithfully for the improvement OF those under
their tuition. We Lope none viii be satisfied
with superficial work, alter what has been
said upon the subject OF thoroughness. The
multiplication Of text books is great evil in
our schools, and serious hindrance to good
classification. This Is subject which de-
mands especial attention and ought to be
looked after and corrected by committees and
parents everywhere. The assistance OF expe-
rienced committees might be OF essential ser
vice to young teachers in assisting them to
classify their schools at the commencement
OF the term. They ought to be allowed to
direct what books shall be used in school, and
no others should be allowed. We have now
too many Readers, too many Grammars, too
many Biographies, and entirely too many
Arithmetlcs Tor good classification. No ooe
will be surprised that 1 say the classIfica
ton is bad, when they learn that in
school of little more than forty scholars.
1 found thirteen classes in arithmetic, and
these all to be heard in the short space OF
about one hour. Let US look then for a mo-
ment at the work required 70 be done In a
single half day in such school>with such a
classification, and see if l. is possible for a
teacher 10 do work In anything like thorough
msnner. The school opens at nine O'Clock,
we will suppose, by reading in the testament
then there are six classes that ought to read,
then thirteen classes in arithmetic, then SPELL
ing of all the classes, this without allowing
any time for recess, would afford only eight
minutes for each class to recite in and receive
their instruction and drill exercises. Now
who does not see that with such classification
there viii be, there can be no drilling of classes
There is just scarcely time to hear the recita-
tions If they are completely and perfectly
made, and il poor, the inducement is for the
teacher to help it on as fast as possible that
the class may give way 10 another as soon
as possible. 1t is simply absurd TO talk about
a teachers doing thorough work under such
circumstances. Such schools ought to be re-
constructed at once and the thirteen classes
reduced to four or five at the most, which is
enough for any school, or any teacher to at
tend to in one half day, and more too. DIR.
Perkins, member of the s. s. Committee,
who takes much interest In the educational
affairs of the town, gave me much atten-
tion and accompanied me in most of my
work, himself also engaging with interest in
the same. Mr.. Lindscott also of the Com
mittee, showed much interest In the work
and business of the schools, and accompanied
me all that his business would permit. q
A very free discussion OF the topics of
school discipline, methods of teaching, school
supervision, &C., was had on Monday evening,
at the North village school house, in which
all the members of the committee, several
teachers and other citizens became interested
and took part which added much to the inter-
est of the occasion. Capt Bodge, senior men,
Der of the committee became much interested
in the discussion, and although in some Of the
details does not exactly agree with US as to
the best methods of promoting the interests
of our common schools, yet earnestly express
ed himself as desiring their prosperity, and
thinks there is much for parents to do in the
education Of their children, and wishes ear
nestly for the adoption OF measures TO com
pei, in certain cases, attendance to school.
About forty were present and many express
ed themselves much pleased and interested.
d. s. GLDDEN.