Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-06

1870.
The Adutant General is of the opinion
that the appropriation for this purpose may be
reduced from $40 900 to $50 900.
EDUCATIONAL.
If there is one thing above another that
commends our institutions to the approval of
the civilized world, it is our common school
system, by which the means of education are
brought within the reach of all the people. Its
creation was the crowning act of the wise
men who laid the foundations of the Republic.
1t is our surest guarantee of national prosper
ity and progress, and pledge of the increas-
ing grandeur of our republican form of gov
| ernment.
| We are paying about three fourths of mil
lion dollars annually to support our common
schools, which is about eight dollars per schol-
ar, counting the average attendance. This
sum is generously and willingly paid by the
taxpayers ofthe State, who only demand, as
they have right to expect, that this large
sum be honestly and wisely appropriated.
Our Normal Schools, Teachers Institutes,
efficient supervision, and other improved in
strumentalties, cannot fail to produce good
| results.
We are already beginning to realize the
benefits of our Normal Schools in the general
efficiency OF the teachers who have enjoyed
the advantages of these institutions. Not that
ways the best teachers, for no system of edu-
cation or training can make a good teacher
of unfit material l only assert, what all ex-
perience proves, that, other things being equal,
the teacher who has had special training for
the duties of his profession, will be more
likely to succeed than one who has had no
such advantages.
Some of the measures recently adopted to
promote the efficiency of our public schools
| b.ar dad h.a
tinued Or modified as the result of experience
may dictate The friends of these measures
are confident that they will be of great pracii-
cal benefit; others doubt ii. Since they have
been put in practice, 1t is best to allow the
question of their utility to be settled by actual
demonstration. No very serious consequent
ces can result from giving them a fair Trial.
If, after such trial, they are not satisfactory,
they will, of course, be repealed.
/ | commend this important interest with the
report of the State Superintendent to your
careful consideration.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The advantages of combining intellectual
training with phy steal exercise in some produc-
tive industry in institutions for the education
of young men, have not, in my estimation,
been fully appreciated. Such institutions are
especially desirable for the large class of
young men who propose to engage in indus
trial pursuits and who cannot afford the time
! and expense necessary to complete course
of study beyond what is required to prepare
them for the intelligent performance of the
practical business and duties of life. They
need knowledge and practice of what per-
tains TO the living activities of the present,
rather than the dead languages of the past.
The tuition being free, and the opportunity
to pay part OF the expense OF board in labor, are
to many ofour most promising young men, i'm
portant advantages. To omeet this general want
the national legislature made the appropria-
ton which enabled each State in the Union
to establish college of Agriculture and
Mechanic Arts" Maine has. believe, done
wisely in accepting the grant, and pledging
herselfto conform to the terms prescribed.
In this institution the students are expect
ed to apply in practice, to some extent at
least, the principles taught in the books. The
combination of actual practice with theoreti-
cal instruction, secures more valuable knowl-
edge of any science than the mere study of
theories, however thorough it may be.
Many young men, after devoting their time
and means for several years to preparation
for some chosen profession, prove, on actual
trial, utterly unfit for such profession, and
without business, lacking physical strength
as well as disposition necessary for success
in any business requiring manual labor, they
become thoroughly discouraged, and less able
to obtain livelihood by their own exer-
tions than their most illiterate neighbor, who
has learned to use his hands in some remun-
erative employment. Educate such young
men in well managed industrial college, and
the additional physical force and mental ac-
tivity acquired would greatly improve their
chances for professional success, and, failing
in that, they have, in their ability to labor,
sure means of support and usefulness
This College will, trust, perform another
important mission. The disposition to shun
manual labor under the false impression that it
is incompatible with respectability and good
social position, is becoming alarmingly prevs-
lent, and requires correction. That labor,
intellgently directed, is not inconsistent with
the highest intellectual culture and the most
honorable attainments, is one of the most i'm
portant facts to be learned by young persons
of both sexes. This College, Improperly con-
Quoted, will do much towards the creation
of more desirable public sentiment on this
subject. Young men educated here, and be-
coming familiar with agricultural and me-
chaniral employments, will be more likely to
engage in such pursuits. This is result great
ly to be desired when we remember that
this field is suffering for more workers, while
many of the professions are crow ded almost
to starvation.
In these suggestions, would detract moth
ing from the acknowledged merits of our 9TH
er colleges, or their invaluable services in
the great educational work of the country.
They will continue to receive, as they de-
serve, the confidence and patronage of the
people.
am confident that the establishment of
the College Of Agriculture and the Mechanic
Arts Is a step in the right direction
Certainly, as the work has been commenced
and a large amount ofmoney invested in it, and
as the condition of the grant made by the
General Government was the promise on our
part to carry forward the work in good faith,
it is our duty TO give the institution our fos-
: tering care. The report of the Trustees will
show the present condition and needs of the
College.
ORPHANS HONE.
About forty orphans of deceased soldiers
and seamen are being cared for in the Home
for Soldiers Orphans in the city of Bath.
Judging from what saw in brief visit re-
Gently made to this institution its affairs are
managed economically and well. The ladies
connected with the Home are entitled to The
pratituda of the ppOnla for their dpv Atiou IN