Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-04-29
TODD Words from the Educational Department
The school Mil Tax-Temperance among the
children.

children.
Circular No. s, has been issued from the
Educational department by Hon. Warren
Johnson, State Superintendent OF Common
Schools, which contains much valuable infor
nation to school committees town supervisors
and district agents. The circular, which is
published in pamphlet form, gives an abstract
of the educational legislation of lS7I',2 and
a table indicating the present regular sources
of school revenue, the approximate, not exact
amount of each, and the approximate total to
each town and plantation from which certified
returns have been received. The per capita
tax, so cents, is based upon the census Of 1870.
This with the school revenue from savings
banks, which is only the income of six
months, payable July l, 1872, the next
payment to be the income of whole
year, and which will probably be twice
the amount, together with the school mill
tax, which will amount to S224,530, or about
one dollar for each scholar, will give as
sources of revenue apart from school money
raised by the towns, about Leo for each per-
Son in the State between four and twenty one
years. The school revenue table alluded to
furnishes the largest approximate totals as
follows:
Auburn, 1908; Lewiston, Sl6,S76; school
revenue available for Madawaska Territory,
$3.50; Brunswick, Sc, 1872; Cape Elizabeth,
$6,447; Gorham, $4,272; Portland, S39 $50;
Westbrook, IS, 10; Pennington, So 1885,
Bucksport, 81 ,342; Deer Isle. S4,S8S; Ellis
werth, S6,S24; Augusta, 50, 337; Hallowell,
S64S3; Vassalboro, 81, 59l Gardiner, So 1885,
Waterville, S6,l6 Camden, $3.50; Rock
ton, So, 704; Boothbay, $4,000; Bristol, 49,
ia; Waldboro, @5,527 Paris, S3,676 Ban
gor, S2l,670; Brewer, S4,0l4 Dexter 49,
GIG; Hampden, S3, 1885, Oldtown, 5000;
Orono, $3,472; Bath S9.S67; Richmond,
S3,O7s; Fairfield, $3.50; Skowhegan, So
056; Belfast, $3.50; Winterport, S3,7lS;
Calais, S7,73S; Eastport, S5,l5l; Machias,
S3,404; Pembroke, s. ,499; Berwick, S3,04l;
Biddeford, Sl2.9l2; Buxton, 1922; Kenne-
bunk, S3,l37; Kittery, 81, 1877; Saco, S7,0G6;
York, $3.50.
The Superintendent gives an opinion on the
constitntionality of the mill tax, which has
been published in full in these columns, the
soundness of which has not yet been contra
dicted to our knowledge. He finds reason for
encouragement and hope in the legislation of
the past few years. Among the measures
adopted, the school revenue has been in
measure equalized and increased more than
one third. In 1871 the school income re-
CURED by law was about $685., 900. In 1872
this sun, has been increased by legislation to
.$S40,690. This affords an average of $3.75
yearly to each person in the State between
four and twenty-o years, which is, however,
much below the average of the other North
ern States, and also below our proper rates,
comparing the wealth of Maine with other
States.
The subject of county or district supervis-
ion in some form will be presented for consid-
Grafton at the next annual educational con-
vention in August next, when the Superin-
tendent hopes the most acceptable school poll
cy to be pursued will be marked out.
The Superintendent very fittingly closes his
words of advice and counsel by practical al
fusion to the temperance reform that is now in
progress in the State, and that is enlisting so
much public attention. He says that while we
are interested in the intellectual growth of
our children, we should not forget their moral
culture. sIndustry, the constant and health
full activity of every human faculty; the ac-
cumulative virtue. Frugality, preserving,
never expanding unnecessarily, appropriating
iudcously and proftably. Temperance, the