Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-03-06
lfor the American.
Town High Schools.

We a. II anu "a community are
blessed with good schools, and other priv
ileges for obtaining an education. Our
free school system i the boast of America,
and Is truly an American institution. Our
cities and towns yearly expend large sums
OF money for the support of free public
schools. open alike TO all. rich and poor,
talented or otherwise.
But in these days Of increased popula-
,iop, and rapidly advancing avenues Of
trade there is Yet lack, a deficiency,
which our country schools have failed TO
supply. And this demand for further de.
velopment calls loudly TO the people of
each community 10 furnish means whereby
II may be secured.
We would not thus intimate a disparag.
Ing word against common schools but
would rather advance a thought or two
which shall have for its aim. a tendency TO
Increase their usefulness and add a yalua-
bic auxiliary 20 the means of obtaining a
more thorough education.
The project of establishing Free High
Schools in the several towns of our State
is noble object and an honor to our State
Superintendent for his advocacy of it, and
worthy the consideration OF every citizen.
Whether our 'lawmakers" see tit TO grant
encouraging legislation upon this point or
not, the people themselves will show their
earnestness in this matter Iaud many of
them are doing so) by opening advanced
grades of schools in their communities.
that those scholars who have pursued the
course of common school studies may have
a chance 10 avail themselves of greater OPP
portunities of becoming useful and ntelli-
gent.
Already our cities aud many large towns
have such schools, but there are many
towns Yet without them, where they are
very much needed.
Now we believe that there j. as much
brain power and energy in the country as
in the city. and though many young men
walk the highway and streets regardle IS OF
the great world around them, there are
hundreds that inwardly desire an oppor-
tunity 10 improve their minds aud talents
still further after leaving the common
town school. Every teacher knows that
there are scholars In each community that
after certain degree Of proficiency, do
not make that advancement that their tai
ent and abilities would guarantee. And
this is not from lack OF interest on their
part, but on account of want OF time TO
be devoted to them, and the backward
fnla l,,-i.h rlnp ,ha,
ayOidably connected Now to furnish 3
means Of correcting this and other impedi-
ments to desired progress the town high
schoolshould be provided.
few advantages of such an institution
may here be mentioned with propriety. In
the first place. pupils who have not the
means or the inclination to go from home
to attend school. would If opportunity Of
fered, gladly avail themselves Of the priv
ilege of boarding at home. and attending
an advanced coui Sc of study. at the same
time enjoying the comforts of home and
saving large bill of expenses. Again.
teaching would become more effective, as
the teacher must possess greater qualifica-
tons for such schools, and by having pu-
pills of one grade and one interest he will
concentrate his thoughts on fewer subjects.
and consequently more thoroughly. SO that
his pupils may derive greater benefit than
can be derived in the common school.
Another strong argument in favor OF such
schools is the fact that an incentive will be
given to the pupils of the lower schools to
fit themselves for higher course of study.
More earnest teachers will be called for to
teach these schools and more thorough
training will be required
Every workman has some standard of
excellence which he desires TO reach. and
no less should be the aim of The pupil.
! Establish these schools, and we shall see
our common schools rising in importance.
becoming easier TO govern. because the
J greater the incentive TO study, the less
: room for disorder or mischief. and the
teacher encouraged and greater benefits
realized. Other and no less important
reasons exist to support this project, but
we will reserve them for another paper
should this prove acceptable. 5.
Patents issued to Maine inventors for
the week ending Feb. 4th, 1873. Reported
by WIN. Franklin Seavey. Solicitor of Pa
tents. Rines' Block, IL Main Street, Ban
sor. Nc.
Thos. Hersey, Bangor, MOccasin; Hiram
Peavey, Bangor, Single Machine; II. P.
Hood. indianapolis and wm. COombs.