The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-12-30

before. We think those who have used TINS Ar
gument will do 70 no more. The charge that
the committee are unqualified seems TO me to
lack confirmation. We have had the pleasure
of meeting many Of them in this county and In
most instances have found them earnestly en-
gagcl. considering the best means by which they
could make their schools efficient and prodtab ie
Suppose We had found them otherwisef The
committee are chosen by the towns themselves.
and IL remains TO them as right, IL they md
them incompetent to replace them by industrious
energetic teachers. or those who have Teen such,
for unless man has been teacher, he knows
but little Of the wants and necessities Of our
common schools. or the measures to be taken TO
effect the necessary improvements.
One complaint only have we heard that seems
Just. In some few instances districts rave
asked the committee to allow them the teacher OF
previous term, or some one who perhaps the
people have known. They have been denied this
privilege, and stranger placed In those local..
ties; and the teacher has found 1t source OF
annoyance to himself and q disappointment to
the people. This Is wrong, all wrong, and con-
trary to the instructions they have received from
the State Superintendent, Mr.. johnson. Iiav-
ing had personal acquaintance with MIR. J. We
are able to vouch for the truth Of this statement
They have been instructed that wherever they
have found the people Of locality DESTROYS OF
having particular teacher. to examine the ap-
plicant, and II found qualified to place him In
the desired position. II they have failed to DO
this, they have violated the trust reposed In
them and should be no longer allowed to remain
In the truly responsible position which they oc-
cupy. Yet IL the people have been sometimes
disappointed In this particular, we opine that
a -. tka xuishaa af tha neODIp
were almost the last things considered, and the
agent too often sei,cd upon the opportunity to
gratify his malice, by engaging some one who
the people disliked.
o. II was to obviate these troubles and difficulties
that the new law was made; vet now at the end
Of two years without having given IL n fair trial
we learn that some towns have instructed their
representatives to vote for Its repeal. Let the
friends Of education in "poor benighted York"
that has done more in the one past year to up
lin her common schools than in the last ten
wears previous, see to il that they give the law
that has raised the standard Of education In this
State one-half, that has provided for the wants
OF their children that cordial support and en-
enlargement which It's importance demands.
Other States have their State and County super
vision, why cannot VET Penn. has had her law
similar to ours seventeen years, in fact every
State in the country has some such law except
Ohio, and that State would not care to challenge
COMPARISON with Massachusetts, with her efficient
system Of careful supervision. which spends now
yearly for every scholar within her limits the
sum Of tpeire dollars or more. while we spend
q little over four. Let US hope that Maine will
not take this backward step. That she will take
another in advance, double the present amount
spent for our common schools, and ere long Me-.
will yet take her place among those States that
boast q their schools and colleges.
MoDsrUs.
CORNISH, Dec. 81. 1870.
NORTH BERWICK.
A Christmas tree was provided in the Baptist
church on Monday evening, and general In
yitatou was extended TO the citizens to patronile
II for whom they would. The house was full.
and many were remembered In friendly gifts.
The fruit Of the tree was distributed by ii. A.
Butler, esq. Rev. Mr.. Burrows and wife re
ceiyed many valuable presents, but none were
happier than the children Of the village for
whom the occasion was gotten up.