Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-20
COMMON scHooL INTERESTS.

legislature at Inc coming seSslOH. Hi-
though important progress has been made
in our educational system. it is yet in its
infancy, needing constant and watch'"i
attention and well-direeted efforts 10
bring it into the shape best adapted 20 lhe
needs and circumstances Of the state
Through the exertions Of superintendent
Johnson there has been diffused over tne
State a deeper interest in education gen.
eral improvement is manifested in the
methods of teaching rs the result OF
teachers Institutes and conventions, and
s,,o5 work for the schools has been as
complished in the measures adopted tor
the establishment OF permanent revenue.
The Normal Schools have likewise aided
TO raise the standard of teaching and the
quality of instruction. And ye: the task
of improvement is only commenced, If
Maine desires to educate the children with
in her borders as the children of n repub-
lie should be, and as most of the States
are trying to do.
The sentiment of our people in favor OF
promoting the interests of the public
schools was never stronger than at pres
= ent. There may be difference OF opinion
as to the methods to be employed, but
there is scarcely voice heard in dissent
to the wisdom and necessity of cherish
ing and building up the common schools.
Yet we are backward in our support OF
them. We stand among the lowest States
in the length Of our schools, the wages OF
teachers and style of buildings, while our
supervision is slip-shod and inefficient.
II was held by the working friends OF
education generally in the State that the
establishment of county supervision was il
gain to the schools, inasmuch as it fur
nished link between the town committees
and State Superintendent which is essen
tial to the perfect inspection and organiza-
ton of the schools. Few arguments were
brought against it but its cost, but the
last legislature abolished it, and now the
supervision Of the schools runs on in the
old way, with broad ditch between the
State Superintendent midtown committees
which they are only able to span in very
poor manner. The legislature coming will
be asked to consider the matter candidly,
and decide whether something shall not be
done to make good the deficiency. 1t will
cost of course, to have good supervision,
but it pays in private business, and why
not in public affairs The schools as they
are cost round sum Of money, but who
would close them for that reason? Good
supervision is the perfection of the school
system. 1t is the trained eye of the mas
ter upon the servant directing his opera
tions and holding him to a strict accounta-
bility for the discharge of his duties. lit
equally as important to know that the
teachers are capable and faithful and per-
form their labor with Intelligence and
fidelity?
There are other matters connected with
the working of the schools that require
thought. Uniformity Of text books is q
subject that is pushed by without proper
attention to its merits. Every parent who
is taxed anew at every term or at every re-
moval from town to town for change of
books. is made sensible that uniformity
would be a money-saving expedient for
him. Bat it seems to be difficult job, or
there are fears that it may not be popular,
and 80 uniformity is not adopted, and
never will be perhaps until the increasing
dissatisfaction with the evils of the pres
ent school-book system presses it to the
front and makes its adoption necessity.
One would think that time had nearly ar
rived.
Anothertopic Reconsideration is the feas-
Utility of doing away with the district sys-
tenn and adopting the town system. Since
the mill tax plan of raising and disburs-
ing revenue has prevailed, abolshing town
lines in distributing its bountes over the
State, 1t would seem there should be no
objection TO the abolition Of the district
system. Towns that were ready TO recog-
nize the broad principle in the mill-tax
plan that II is the State which educates.
can hardly claim with consistency the
maintenance Of the district system.
We presume this subject will be before
the legislature. and we hope its merits
may be investigated. We trust our legis-
lature will be composed of men who are
friends to and believers in the common
schools, and that whatever relates to them
viii be patiently heard, fairly weighed,
and decided with reference TO the true in
terests of the schools and the State.
Mr.. VIRGINS APPOINTMENT.
The appointment Of Hon. William Writ
Virgin of Portland, as one Of the Associate
Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court to