Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-01-09

tAfS and demagogues. IL Is iamenta-
bic fact, that, in many instances, the
most corrupt officials, living in open
crime, have been able TO maintain their
ascendaucy through the ignorance of
their constituents.
You will, trust, see that our educa.
tional institutions are not neglected.
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
The Normal Schools at Pennington
and Castine are doing an excellent work.
Young ladies and gentlemen, many OF
whom would not be able TO pursue q
course Of study elsewhere, are here pre-
pared TO be OF great benefit to the State
as teachers. while they lay the best pos
sible foundation Tor their own success in
life. Two hundred and sixty.fou grad
yates OF these schools have taught in our
public schools the past year, besides a
large number who have not yet gradu-
ated.
NORMAL SCHOOL BUILDING AT CAsTINE.
The Legislature at its last session APP
propriated fifteen thousand dollars for the
purchase or erection OF suitable build
inc Tor the Eastern Normal School at
Castine. to be expended under the di-
Iection OF the Governor and Council
There being no suitable building that
could be purchased, plans and specifica-
tons were prepared and proposals invit-
ell Tor the constructions OF the whole
building or for portions of the work.
The lowest bid was $22 800. The others
ranged lrom S27 900 TO S35 900. As the.
lowest bid was $500 more than the
appropriation. and Is the Governor and
| Council did not consider themselves au.
thorized TO commence u building that
would cost more than the sum placed at
their disposal. neither OF the bids were
accepted. Subsequently another plan
for a cheaper building, which il is believ-
cd will answer the purpose very well.
was made, and a proposition by re-
| spon3ible party was received to construct
the building Tor seventeen thousand five
hundred dollars. This is probably the
| lowest sum for which suitable building
can be obtained. therefore recommend
an appropriation of at least Sl7 300 for
the erection of Normal school building
in Casline, with sufficient additional
sum Tor furniture and provisions for
| heating. Ii will bee necessary TO have
this building completed and ready tor
occupation on the first of August next.
therefore invite your early attention 10
the subject. SO that the contract may be
made in time for the contractor 10 get the
material together and he ready to COM
mence the work in the early spring
STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND
MECHANIC ARTS.
| y - tNI
! Mechanic Arts has suffered many embar
assmen,s incident TO the infancy of such
institutions. but j, now appears to have
passed its darkest days. Under the Ell
iicient management OF the new President,
its friends. entertain no doubt of its success.
This is 4 tree College. and 4 fitting sup
plement TO our free school system.
Young men are here given an opportun-
ity 10 prepare for all the business. indus
ttial and some OF the professional pur-
suits OF life Study and labor. science
and practice are brought together, and
the means OF intellectual and physical
education afforded.
The examination and other exercises
are highly creditabe to the faculty and
students. evincing intellectual yigor and
| thofoughness that would do credit 10 any
| Institution Of the kind. We may now
reasonably indulge the hope that the
| highest light OF science, practically APP
piled. will bc shed from this Institution.
| to guide the farmer. the mechanic and
artisan in their several callings.
The interest of the fund invested is be-
] licyed 10 be sufficient 10 meet the ordin-
AIRY expenses of the College, but some
additional accommodations arc required.
| recommend the appropriation OF a Nut-
| iicicnt sum 10 meet The present neceSsl-
ties.
RAILROADS.
] Commendable progress has been made
during the past year. in the extension OF
| our railroads, with Il tair prospect that
| this work, 50 essential TO the develop
ment of our resources, will continue 10
| 90 forward. Several new roads are be-
Ing projected. including one greatly
needed, connecting the counties OF Han
cock and Washington with Bangor.
| The new roads extending west from Port'
| land will. at no distant day. give more
/ direct and cheaper transportation TO and
/ from the grain growing States OF the
West. The opening OF the European
and North American Railway makes a
connection with St John, soon 10 be ex-
/ tended To Halifax. This will unite the
| people of this State and the Provinces
| in closer social and business relations;
and conuot fail TO benefit both. This road
| touches the southern portion OF Aroostook
county; and trust the extension of \
/ railroad into the heart of The county will
be accomplished within few years. The
rich lands OF this county only wait for
railroad communication 10 secure their
| settlement by an industrious population,
and TO yield large income to the owners
| and become source of wealth 10 the
State.
! Our neighbors in New Brunswick. with
a zeal and forecast worthy oil great
praise, are preparing TO construct rail-
road that will pass for a long distance
near the easterly and northerly line OF
/ Aroos,ook county, with the view of
gathering the rich surplus products ofthe
northern part OF the county, aud trans
porting them 10 ST. John. And this they
wiIl DO unless our people bestir them
selves and give that section OF the State
an outlet this way.
The Railroad Commissioners make
some important suggestions relating to
the management OF railroads. Their
suggestion in regard to the manner in
which they receive their compensation
is especially entitled to consideration.
There are, it appears to me, serious OBJ
iections to making a public officer de-
pendent tor compensation upon corp.
Grafton of which q proper discharge OF
his duties require that he should be ell
/ tirelv independent.
PUBLIC LANDS.
The report of the Land Agent calls at
tention TO the claim OF the European
/ NJ A,,a,;c.p Poilvav ComponV IA