Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-05

are becoming more efficient and our schools
more profitable.
Our hopes for the perpetuity of good gov
ernment depend upon the intelligence of the
people. The education Of the masses is our
surest safeguard against the Vaccinations of
designing and wicked men. An educated
person may become corrupt, but he will seek
to accomplish his unhOly purposes through
the ignorance of others. An ignorant com
munity furnishes favorable field for i'm
posters and demagogues. 1t is lamentable
fact that, in many instances, the most corrupt
officials living in open crime have been able to
maintain their ascendency through the igno-
rance of their constituents.
ou WILL | trust, see that our educational
institutions are not neglected.
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
The Normal Schools at Pennington and
Castne are doing an excellent work. Young
ladies and gentlemen, many of whom would
not oe able to pursue a course of study else
where, are here prepared to be of great bene
lit to the State teachers, while they lay
the best possible foundation for their own
success in life. Two hundred and sixty four
graduates of these schools have taught in our
public schools the past year, besides large
number of those who have not yet graduated.
NORMAL SCHOOL BUILDING AT CAsTINE.
The Legislature at its last session appro-
priated fifteen thousand dollars for the pur-
chase erection of suitable building for
the Eastern Normal School at Castine, to be
i expended under the direction of the Governor
and Council. There being no suitable build
ing that could be purchased, plans and spec
ihcations were prepared and proposals in
vited for the construction of the whole build
ing or for poI 20, of the work. The low
est bid was 81 o,t; others ranged from S27,-
600 to $50. 900.
As the lowest bid was $500 more than the
appropriation, and as the Governor and
Council did not consider themselves author.
lied to commence building that would cost
more than the sum placed at their disposal,
neither of the bids were accepted. Suisse
| quently another plan, for cheaper building
which il is believed will answer the purpose
very well, was made, and proposition by a
responsible party was received to construct
the building for seventeen thousand hveh hun
dred dollars. This is probably the lowest
sum for which a suitable building can be OBJ
tanned. | therefore recommend an appropri-
alton Of at least Sl7,50O for the erection of a
Normal School building in Castine, with a suf-
fcert additional sum for furniture and proyi-
sions for heating. 1t will be necessary to have
this building completed and ready for occupa-
ton on the ffst Of August next. therefore
invite your early attention to the subject so
that the contract may be made in time for the
contractor to get the material together and
be ready to commence the work in the early
spring.
STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND THE ME-
CHANIC ARTS.
The State College of Agriculture and Me-
chanic Arts has suffered many endorsements
incidental to the infancy OF such institutions,
but it now appears to have passed its darkest
days. Under the efficient management of the
new President, its friends entertain no doubt
of its success. This is free college, and a
fitting supplement to our free school system.
Young men are here given an opportunity to
prepare for all the business, industrial and
some of the professional, pursuits of life.
Study and labor, science and practice are
brought together, and the means of intellect
ual and physical education afforded.
The examinations and other exercises are
highly creditable to the faculty and students,
evincing intellectual vigor and thoroughness
that would do credit TO any institution of the
kind. We may now reasonably indulge the
hope that the brightest light of science, prac-
tically applied, will be shed from this insttu-
ton, to guide the farmer, the mechanic and
artizan in their several callings.
The interest of the fund invested is believed
to be sufficient to meet the ordinary expenses
of the College, but some additional accommo.
priation of a sufficient sum to meet the pres
Snt necessities.
Commendsble progress has been made
during the past year in the extension of our
Raill Dads. with fair prospect that this work,
SO essential to the development of our re-
sources, will continue to go forward. Several
new roads are being projected, including one
greatly needed connecting the counties of
Hancock and Washington with Bangor. The
new roads extending west from Portland 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 & North American Railway
makes a connection with st. John, soon to be
extended to Halifax. This will unite the
people OF this State and the Provinces in
closer social and busipess relations, and can
rot fail to benefit both. This road touches
the southern portion of Aroostook county,
and trust tho extension of railroad into
the heart of that county will be accomplished
within tew years. The rich lands of that
county only wait for railroad communication
to secure their settlement by an industrious
population, and yield large income to the
owners and become source of wcalth to The
State.
Our reighbors in New Brunswick with a
HS"i anu ioiCSast Woilhy VI SlSht plhlsc, dIc
preparing to construct a railroad that will
pass for "A long distance near the easterly and
northerly lines of Aroostook county, with
the view of gathering the rich surplus
products of all the northern part of the
county, and transporting them to St. John.
And this they will do unless our people be-
sti themselves and give that section of the
State an outlet this way.
The Railroad Commissioners make some
Important suggestions relating to the man.
agement of railroads. Their suggestions in
regard to the manner in which they receive
their compensation is especially entitled to
consideration. There are, it appears to me,
serious objections to making public officer
dependent for compensation upon corpora
ton, of which proper discharge ofhis duties
requires that he should be entirely indepen-
dent.
rrBLlC LANDS.
The report Of the Land Agent calls atten-
ton to the claim of the European & North
American Railway Company to certain lands
set apart for settling purposes, and the TIM
ber thereon.