Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-24

re.uark the parents have the privilege of send
ing their sons to school, with their pockets
filed with money, while to the contrary the
poor scholar, who has perchance neither par
ents or money, is treated or feels that he is,
like one beneath them. And with this feeling
increasing from week to week, the chances
are more than even, that he leaves the school
with education half accomplished, and what
under system like our own, would have been
bright and shining light is discouraged, dis
heartened, lost, lost to himself, lost to the
world. have had this evil come under my
own observation where the parent, who how
ever much he may have desired so to do,
could ill afford to send his son to college
and that son, too proud to attend any school,
where money or rather the want of it, made
him unequal with his fellow students The
consequence was leaving school with educa-
ton half accomplished, to look forward to the
time when his children, should he be unable
to give them a collegiate education in the
common acceptation of the term-could still
get liberal education where all are on
level, and caste is unknown. And / thank
God the day has dawned when your sons or
mine, whether we be rich or poor can get as
good an education as can be obtained at any
college in the land.
All we now need is comparatively small
amount, | mean small for the great good it
SultdDle DululHSS
for the mechanical department of the institu-
ton, finishing and furnishing the buildings al
ready erected-a house for aprofessor, and
last but as important as either-a library and
apparatus, for the use of the students, want
felt very severely by those heretofore attend
ing the school, and one we trust which will
be met the ensuing season or as soon as is
practicable.
am informed the revenue from monies
now invested is about So, 001annually. When
the buildings are complete, this sum will be
sufficient to pay the current expenses without
further help from the State, or elsewhere, and
for the sum needed, shall we let an institution
like this droop? God forbid, can have no
fears of such a result. For see around me,
upUh this floor, the fathers or grandsires of
those very sons that are to be benefited by
this college of manufacture and the mechanic
arts in coming time. do not by any means
presume that all will be benefited directly,
but the general influence that education and
mental culture has on every community will
be their great reward.
What at the present time is imperatively
needed are workshops, to carry out the de-
sign of the founder of the institution, without
which we fail in one of the most important
points, that is the furnishing of each and
every student, good trade, with which to
go out into the world in the battle of life.
Whether he may ever use the trade as q
means of earning his livelihood, or not, still
the practical training he gets while working
at his trade, is worth fortune to him, physi-
cally and morally. Although we do not
claim perfection in all things connected with
the college, still we do believe from knowledge
obtained by residence within a short dis
tance of it, that the system of training there
used, to fit the student for life's industries is
the best now known.
For the reason the students time is so much
occupied between study and labor, that the
usual devilment, if may be allowed the ex-
preston, connected with boarding schools,
and even colleges, is here unknown. Still
farther, am of the opinion that with the lack
of time, comes also the lack of inclination for
mischief, so very common in our schools of
the higher grade. As before remarked l live
near the college, ard have got to learn the
first instance of mischief making of any kind
from the students, either among the farmers
or villagers in Orono. On the contrary, they
have been remarkable for their sobriety and
good conduct always, and / have been told
by the students themselves, that the daily
labor they were obliged to perform, when in
health, induced an intellectual activity, which
rendered their study q pastime rather than
task.
At first the students say, especially those
unaccustomed to manual labor, that it comes
extremely hard on them.
But in few weeks with the change in
their physical health, induced by the system,
they get to like it, and would not care to
have it changed
Still some very strongly desire workshop,
in preference TO the farm, and who shall say
this reasonable wish or their part may not be
granted?
sincerely hope that no one of this enlight-
ened though conservative Legislature will
put the first trig in the way of the accomplish
ment of this desire on the part of those stu
dents, for an employment perhaps physically
better for them than labor on the farm.
If it was your boy, or mine, Mr. Speaker,
going to school there for the next four years,
how gladly would we vote the comparatively
small sum asked, for what we know will be
in the future, great results, and most certain
if it would be reght in the case of our own
children, is it any less our duty to take the
same view of the matter of this appropriation
for the future benefit to, and honor of our
noble State, and generations to come. We
do not expect all the benefit Of this institu-
ton will accrue to us, but the same blood will
flow in the veins of our grandchildren as
now flows in ours. Shall we then sit idly in
our seats, our hands folded, rather than this
great work should be accomplished? No sir
have too much faith in humanity to believe
the man is in this honorable body, so penu-
rious in mind, as to refuse this gratuity
where it is so much needed.
Lives there man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself has said
This is my own my native land.
And is there man within the sound of my
voice, living under New England skies,
breathing its pure air, enjoying its free insti-
tutions, who will at this day say, we will not
by our voice and our means encourage this
great work for the rising generation, and the
benefit of all coming time, in this, our own
State, sending in the future from Maine, to
every part of this Union, class of educated
men, educated morally, physically and intel
lectualy, who in the future, as the records of
our noble Estate are made up, shall stand
forth to advocate what we to-day, in our
feeble way attempt, a college of Agriculture
and the Mechanic Arts.
Remarks Of Mr.. Snow Of winthrop,
IN UuTv am