Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-07

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
strumentalities, 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
the graduates of the Normal Schools are al
ways the best teachers, for no system of edu-
cation or training can make 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 pubhc schools
may be regarded rs experiments, to be con-
tinued or modified as the result of experience
may dictate. The friends of these measures
are confident that they will be of great practi-
cal benefit; others doubt it. Since they have
been put in practice, II is best to allow the
question of their utility to be settled by actual
demonstration. No very serious consequon-
ces can result from giving them 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they will, of course, be repealed.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 ysical 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. ToRleet 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
herself to 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
al loho
become thoroughly discouraged, and less able
to obtain livelihood by their own exer-
| tons 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-
tiYity acquired would greatly improve their
chances for professional success, and, failing
in that, they have, in their ability to labor, n
sure means Of support and usefulness.
This College will, l trust, perform another
important mission. The disposition to shun
manual labor under the false impression that it
is incompatible with responsibility and good
social position, is becoming alarmingly preva-
lent, and requires correction. That labor,
intelligently directed is not inconsistent with
the highest intellectual cultare and the most
honorable attainments, is one fthe 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-
chancal employments, will be more likely to
engage in such pursuits. Thisis a result great
ly to he desired when we remember that
this field is suffering for more workers, while
many of the professions are crowded 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 large amount of money 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.
| ORPHAN's 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 a 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
gratitude Of the people for their devotion to
the children of our fallen heroes. The lives
of those on whom these unfortunate children
depended for support were given for us. The
most we can do for them is but little COM
pared with the debt we owe them.
TEMPERANCE AND PRoHIBIrIoH.
The evils resulting from the use OF intoxi-
eating drinks are so destructive 10 all the
highest interests of the State, and so promo
, tive of all that we most deplore, that neither
the philanthropist nor the statesman car
ignore the demand for their suppression. TC
grapple effectively with an evil so interviewer
with the love of gain, the appetites, the preju
dices and the social habits of the people, anC
to which so many in high social standing ar,
welded, is in some respects, an unwelcomC
duty, and requires courage and devotion which
many good people shrink from exercising.
The work necessary 10 restrict this evil L
the smallest ms sibIo limits hplonos nrima rii Y