Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-05-26


The School Question.
The school question is engrossing
more attention in the state at this time,
than it has for many years. The indie
tatigable and systematic State Superin-
tendent is infusing into the County
Supervisors, the Town School Commit
tees, the Teachers, and all the other
friends of public education in the state
some portion of his own enthusiasm
and earnest purpose to make our Com
mon School system all that the most
hopeful can expect. In pushing forward
his own views as to the best methods
of effecting his grand object. he may
err i'm some points. and occasionally get
on the wrong track, but in the main he
must be right: and with his great eX-
perience a. a teacher. his knowledge of
The present status of the school quc,-
ton throughout the state. his unselfi>h
love of the cause. and with his talents
he must succeed. To do this as speedily
as possibIe.-an important considera-
ton. SO that the largest results will be
gained from the money spent. the CO.
operation of all the friends of educa-
ton, and especially of the Common
Schools, is invoked This aid and CO.
operation, active and positive, he has a
right TO expect. The children who are
now but half educated, and but half
cared for. who in consequence OF this
neglect. grow up to be indifferent mem
beers of society. silently appeal TO YOU.
teachers, committeeman. ministers of
the Gospel; 10 YOU, lawyers and physi.
clans. especially. as well 10 all the
parents of the land to second the efforts
of the State Agents, in giving the great
est efficiency 10 our school system.
One man cannot do all that is needed
neither can the County Supervisors ac-
complish well their allotted duties. nor
the school committeeman their. nor
the teachers expect the best results from
their daily toll. unless they all have
the efforts of the parents. Here lie the
difficulties in the way of successful
effort. The parents NAV be indifferent
or they may be content 10 let alone sever.
ally, those who must of necessity take
the lead. In such case, the " work zoe.
ahead slowly. But how to get this co.
operation is one of the questions vet TO
be solved. As remarked. il needs the
best efforts of all the active friends oi
education: and that all NAV be- reached
a. soon as possible. town institutes
should be held. and the school question
IN ali iis bearings should be discussed
Two institutes in each tow during
each wear would do much toward, be-
getting healthful public sentiment.
Take for instance some of the school
legislation OF last winter. and il will be
found unpopular in some localities. bur
Tins arises from AN imperfect knowledge
oi the law, or AN imperfect appreciation
81 the machinery necessary To make NJ
a comprehensive system. \ failure Ia
understand either the one or the other
OF these leads TO opposition. Take the
law which requires the Committee to
lire the teachers what more natural
than tor those who must examine and
certificate the teachers. 10 have also the
power To hire them and sci them Ia
work: Who else knows so well how
10 do this: But this j. AN innovation.
SAYS one: very well, if we are never to
have any innovations. we shall never
have any Improvement. and stagnation
i death. But saws another. "who il this
man that sets himself up To do such
great things" This is but a new APP
phcation of the old Jewish spirit that
prevailed in Christ's day, and that mani
tested itself when He who is the pcriec-
ton of wisdom. taught them in their
synagogues. and they said:
is not this the Carpenters son: l.
not his mother called Mary: and his
brethren. James and Joses. and Simon
and Judas: And his sisters. are they
not all with US: Whence then hath hi,
man all these things! Aud they were
offended in him
We must be careful and not condemn
amy change, or any new application o.
Old truths. without first giving to al
such a careful investigation.