Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-17

up by assignment, the question being on its
passage to be cngrossed.
| Mr.. Corr as a member of the Committee
| from which the resolve was reported gave
some of the reasons which influenced them in
reporting it. Wilton Academy is the only
means by which the people Of that section can
give their children an academic education and
they have subscribed largely for its support
There is at the present time a mortgage OF
about $4,000 on the property which will be
| foreclosed unless the requisite amount to take
up the same is forthcoming. The people ex.
pcct aid and he thought it the duty of the leg
islature to grant it, and he thought it would
best promote the educational interests of the
State by aiding this class of institutions.
| Mr.. HUME claimed that the prophesy he
made the other day Chat ''if the resolve in
favor of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary was
passed it would open the food gates of appro-
priations," is fulfilled, for there are before
the House now three resolves of a like char
acter. He was sorry to oppose this resolve,
but it was not because he was not interested
in educational matters, for he was, and knew
our people need education. The poor PEG.
Pile depend upon their common schools for
education while the rich man sends his chill
dren abroad. If we can do anything for the
common schools let us do it, but don't let us
take the money out of the Treasury and put
it into the pockets of private institutions
thereby dcpriving the children of this State
of SO much school money. Furthermore we
are not in a condition at this time to make
vast appropriations out of the Treasury, and
if these institutions are to be endowed let us
wait until the heavy load of taxation is lifted
from the people.
Mr.. DAGGErT advocated the measure. The
gentleman from Cherryfieid had argued dur
ing a former discussion, that if we passed the
resolve in favor of tlleMaine Wesleyan Sem
mary, that the flood gates of appropriations
would be opened. He (Mr. d. said we are
to exercise our own judgment upon the merits
of each individual case as it is presented. He
did not think that because he favors one re-
solve that he was under moral or legal obi
CATION to vote for every appropriation that
comes up, as the gentleman argues. Up to
1868 this Academy received from the State
about $4,000 when it, with all its property
valued at about $4,000, was turned over to
the State and the State is in the enjoyment of
that property to-day. He thought it no more
than justice to the people of Franklin county,
that this appropriation be made as the State
has realized the advantage of $4,000. They
do not claim it as legal obligation but simply
as an act of justice. He asked members to
look at the merits of each case and not be in
fluenced in their judgment by the assertion
the flood gates of appropriations are opened
and we must vote for all appropriations. The
gentleman f, ON Cherrytield had spoken of the
great expense. Five thousand dollars are
asked for in this case. This would be to each
inhabitant throughout the State, tax of
about five-sevenths of a cent. An enormous
tax, the people cannot stand it.
Dir. IlUME.-If we go on placing upon the
people four-seventh cents. tax from day to-
day until the end of the session it will amount
to something at the end of the session. Maine
Wesleyan Seminary asks for ten thousand,
Pittsfield wants $4,000 more and the one
under consideration wants $1,000. Houlton
wants 81 900, which makes S29, 900, and so you
go on gentlemen. 1t was true, that the case I'M
der consideration had merits, so will the gentle
man in the third branch from Houlton when
he presents the merits of their case, say, but
the people who send their children to the
common schools have greater merits, and the
idea is of greater merit that we are not able
to furnish this money to private institutions for
the benefit of the children of the rich man.
He knew the expense of attending one Of
these institutions, for he had been through the
mill, and the poorer classes cannot attend
these schools. One thing he did not like
to see, that is, Pittsfield putting up build
and getting into debt for it, with the intention
that the State shall pay the bills.
Mr.. FARwELL, as member OF the Commit
tee on Education, thought it proper that he
should say something in vindication of the
action Of that committee and of the business
of this claim. He appreciated the economical
principles of the gentleman from Cherryfeld,
and the care and anxiety always manifested
by him for the poor people and the tax payers,
but he commended that the people of this State
are not to-day more embarrassed, nor do they
find it harder work to pay the taxes than they
have during the last twelve years. This fact
he CLEANED from the Register of Probate offices
in the State where it is shown that mortgages
on property are very largely on the decrease.
1t is well known that they had in Pennington
one of the most flourishing Academies in
Maine. A few years ago the property of that
institution amounting to about $l3, 900 was
given to the State by the town without any
remuneration, for Normal School. This
school is doing vast amount OF good in fit
ting teachers for schools, but it does not meet
the requirements of the very large section of
country of which the Pennington Academy
was then and the Wilton Academy is now, the
centre. Wilton Academy is the central educa-
tiopal institution for fitting men for college and
every calling in life, for great many miles
on either side. He submitted to the House if
it was not fair to relieve this school from its
small Indebtedness, which would not have
befallen it if it had not been for this transfer
to the State. He was for economy but not
economy of the intellect and brain. He Hoped
the resolution would find favor able response
with the House.
Mr.. HUME said, he believed his opposition
to this bill, in favor of the principal of re-
trenchment, and he regretted exceedingly that
he did not receive the assistance of those gen.
tlemen who have been so loud in their asser-
tons with regard to retrenchment He dis
liked very much to stand here, fearing that
the idea might get abroad that he was not a
friend to education. He did not propose to
defend himself as far as this went but would
refer to his record in his own town. He was
friend to education and he knew that if this
resolve is passed that there are many petitions
in the pockets of various gentlemen in this
House which would be presented tomorrow,
and he did not hesitate to say that every one
of them has as good a cause as Wilton Acad-
envy or Pittsfeld.
Mr.. BAKER argued in favor Of the resolve.
A high school is needed in that section, and
the Normal school at Pennington does not
accomplish this purpose because it is for the
education of teachers. There is a space be-
tween the Normal school and the common