The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-01-23

A public meeting was had upon the ques-
lion Of changing the law empowering school
committees 20 employ teachers. belor' the
committee on Education, Thursday night. at
Au9usta''or the purpose of allowing those whn
i'o presented pc iiions for repeal OF the
Jaw, an opportunity TO give thar reasons for
Wlsnl'g so To do. But it seemed m , triaods
and advocates OF repeal were NOT reaIv or
tailed to find reason tor the faith tha, was
In them, for but very little was said aysin,r tha
law as whole. and except in one case all the
speakers agreed that witha slight amendment
the school laws are just what we want.
Mr.. Burgess of Portland recommended that
the law be so changed that school CONF. .i.tees
could not act as teachers in the schools Of
their own towns, and some other speakers
spoke OF cases where this would be a yery
good i'd a. This matter might be decided by
vote OF the district, thus allowing them 10
say whether or not they W .nted the coumit-
tee man as a teacher.
MIR: Stickney of Presaue Isle spoke at sone
length OF the good results of the present school
system in Aroostook county. The schools
.,,s .mste nase improved 100 per cent. under the
supervisory law. Teachers institutes have
proved very successful in his section, but he
is opposed 10 any change Of the law.
MIR. Nealiey OF York county, thought 1t for
the Interests of the State to test the law
thoroughly, which has not yet been done. IL
works well In his section. The teachers iu-
stitutes have not only been benefit to the
teachers but have created an interest among
the parents.
Mr.. Googins of Milbridre. said committees
In the town OF Cherryfsld have emploxed
teachers for the lasl ten years with good re-
suits. His part of the State do not ask for
repeal OF the law.
Mr. Comins OF Eddington would not oppose
the law as whole, but in certain localities
the people are determined not to like IL. He
would have the question OF who should en-
plov teachers lelt for decision at the town
meetings.
MIR, moore of Buckfield saws in his town
the law works badly. II the committee see fit
to employ themselves to teach a school even
against the expressed wish of the people of
the district, there is no remedy for they have
the power all in their own hands, His town
asks for repeal OF that part of the law.
MIR. Hopkins OF Mt. Vernon said his con-
stituents wish tie repeal of that part of the
law authorizing committees to employ teach
ers. The law is just right tor cities but does
not work well in larger towns.
Mr.. Perkins OF Pennington said the law
worked well IN his town because it Is a large
one. bu' In the rural districts 1t is giving dis
satisfaction. The teachers institutes through
out Franklin county have proved succ IS,
and did not cost nearly as much as he expect.
Ell.
Mr.. Willard of Mere said in his town
agents and commi tees worked together.
thinks 1t we press this part of The law we
may lose the whoIs.
Mr.. Savery u Ellsworth Is In favor o. allow.
ing 10 ms TO DECIDE whe, her Committees or
agents Shall e'npoy teachers.
Mr. Carleton o. WhiteteId said the people
demand repeal 0I The whole law, aud bo
Proposed to aiYue the question zfier rns e,i-
lsnce was AL in.
AIT blis' remarks by several o.her gen.
tleman the meeting closed.