The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-12-29
1905 113, SO. 391 1926


For ten years there has been gradual de-
crease in the number of youth between the
ages OF four and twenty one years. The cause
OF this decrease might well enlist the careful
Investigations of board of health The school
year begins too early and ends too late. It
seems to the Superintendent that the profitable
limit OF school age would be between 6 and Is
inclusive.
The chief remedy for the loss in school at
tendance is thought to be better teaching, and
better teaching is based on ample remunera-
ton for the best efforts, and on thorough in
telligent, sympathetic inspection of school
work.
In round numbers, the school system of
Maine costs her citizens about 81, 100000. This
equals for each inhabitant $1.67, for each CEN
sns scholar S462, for each registered scholar
$685. and tor average attendance $1107 By
comparison with other States, it is shown that
Maine taxes herself among the lowest for pub
lie instruction. If a saving could be made in
other departments, and more money diverted
into the common school channel a change for
the better would result
Ihe salaries of teachers have steadily increas-
ed the last three years, particularly in the high
schools division of graded schools, and in the
superior schools OF the larger villages. Those
who employ teachers are coming to know that
it is best to get the best always.
The number OF male teachers employed the
last summer is larger than the preceding year
from the fact that the principalship Of high
and grammar schools are sought for by young
men who propose to continue in the business
OF teaching. The business of teaching is be-
coming an actual profession. The great major
lty OF our teachers are female, as a matter of
economy and from the superior aptitude of the
female mind in winning and directing chill
dren.
The normal schools at Pennington and Cas-
tine are doing good work in supplying par
TALLY the demands for teachers. The number
OF graduates reported as employed last year in
our schools was 1913, this year 1854. In 1869 the
number was l56-showing that the public APP
AT Harrington the State has inves ted S14-
600 In building and furniture, for the normal
school; at Castine nothing in buildings, $3.50 in
a piano, $75 in bell. The teachers receive
moderate salaries, and no apparatus of any
kind has ever been placed in either school hsr
State.
In Castine, after next June, the school will
have no abiding place. The legislature of 1870
ton of a suitable school building for the East
ern Normal School, but not a dollar has been
expended. The Superintendent, therefore.
earnestly recommends that $4,000 be appro-
prIated for the erection of a suitable building
for the school at Castine, $4,000 for furnisbinS
the same, and $4,000 to defray the current ex,
penses of the two schools for 1872. The cur-
rent expenses for 1871 will slightly exceed the
appropriation of $4,000.
Detailed reports are given from the principals
of the two schools, followed by reports from
the county supervisors.
In the matter of holding teachers institute
the same division of institute work has been
made this year as last-town institutes of one
and two days duration, and county institutes of
five days each. Both classes have been con-
dncted mainly by the county supervisors, with
out outside help. More than 40 county insti-
tutes have been held, with an attendance of
nearly 1000 teachers. County institute work
commenced Aug. LIST aud closed Nov. oath
Each week of this period from one to three in
stitutes were held in various parts of the State.
The teachers have manifested great interest
in these meetings, and have given them their
constant attendance The written examination
at the closing day of the institute has been one
OF the chief features in the institute work
More than 1900 graded certificates have been
issued the past year. Less than one half the
sum appropriated by the last legislature for in