Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-01-18
East Maine Normal School.

East Maine Normal School.
MIR. EDITOR commenting in your
last issue upon that part of Gov. Perham
message relating TO the Eastern State Nor
NAL School located at Castine. your intima-
ton that after June 1872 the school may
have no abiding place may require some
explanation. Its present location was de
cided upon by the proper authorities after
a full and careful investigation Of the varii
Gus propositions presented from the differ
| ent localities asking for It's location. and
the matter finally settled permanently by
resolve of the Legislature.
The town of Castine entered into a CON
tract with the State. in consideration of the
permanent location of the school here. to
| furnish the necessary buildings for it, ac-
commodation for the term of five years
and in pursuance thereof placeda at the dis
posal of the state the Abbott school
house erected few years since at cost
of some seven thousand dollars: and for
the better accommodation OF the school
| Eal-tl aili tApfuutu oNfi WV
dollars in improvements and alterations re-
quired for the convenience of the school.
The contract above referred to will expire
in June next.
Al the time the school was established
al Castine the whole thingwaS regarded IS
| doubtful experiment; 50 much 80 that
the State was unwillin. 10 assume any cN-
pense in providing place fur its .ccom
mediation. and the citizens OF Castlne. with
the express understanding that iis perma-
mt location was assured, assumed the
necessary expense for the time stated.
The school has. from small beginning
steadily progressed. aud under its efficient
superintendent and board OF teachers has
attained an eminent degree OF success
and in preparing and sending "eil-disci'
pined and efficient teacher, into our com
mon schools. /. supplying demand which
no other agency has hitherto so well met
la view OF the early termination of the
| contract referred TO. the attention OF the
Legislature of ISL was called by the Coy
and Superintendent Of Common School,
To the necessity of providing FOR the az
commodaiion OF the future wants Of the
institution, and an appropriation Of SD.
600. was made for the purpose OF proNid
ing u suitable building. Before this APP
proprlation was made however, fnrihe
----.---..o 500, ''r
which TO greet the building; and althouy /
TINS could not be considered or royarJe,
as any part OF the original contract. they
promptly responded 10 the demand and
after the selection of a lot BY committee
oil the Executive Council, twas purchased
by the town at a cost of $500 and an IN
conditional deed OF the same given To. and
accepted ~ the State. This lot embrace.
between two and three acres and + one d,
the most eligible In the village. For rea.
sons stated by the Gov. In his recent mes
sage 10 the Legislature nothing further ha.
been accomplished, and the approximation
reyerts TO the Treasury.
In the meantime ceItain influences have
been at work to chdage the LOCATION of the
school. and thus violate the faith of the
State IN the premises. Ii We could bring
ourselves 10 believe that the present Leg.
i-lature would regard the question of
change OF location as an open one, we
might refer to the relative merits of tbi,
with other places. but this we do not con
slider necessary, rs that question was fully
considered and settled in it, first location.
! Whatever may be the result ofthe action
OF the present Legislature ia relation TO
the whole matter. we doubt not il will be
characterized by sound Judgment and dis
| erection.
In view of all the facts in the case. we
candidly submit whether the citizen, Of
Castine have not faithfully performed ev
| cry condition of the contract on their mart
and no pains have been spared in afford
ing every facility within their power to adj
vance the interest of the school. The
school having fully established its charae-
ter and reputation as an efficient auxiliary
in the cause of general education. it would
seem that due regard to the best interest
OF our common schools, whose character
and usefulness must depend much upon
the character of its teachers, should die
tate liberal action Tox its support.
| Jan. ), 1871. Nr -