Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-01-13

, mend that any legislative steps DO taken
at present to secure mora effective IN
, .pection of the common schools. but trust
that the subject may continue to receive
that public consideration which Its I'M
, portance may demand.
, THE DISTRICT SYSTEM.
While i. is generally conceded by tho
most experienced educators that the dis
trict system is in the way OF the highest
efficiency OF the public schools. yet, in
: view OF the strong hold which it has on
the public mind, it would be unwise for
legislation to 20 farther at present than 1t
has already gone in authorizing towns TO
: abolish The system and manage the schools
: as 4 unit. Many towns have already done
this, and in every case with satisfactory
results. BY this change better teachers
have been secured. the smaller districts
have had the same length OF school as The
more densely populated village centres,
less difficulties have been encountered.
aud more effective inspection had. For
The present, however, these are consider
ations that must be addressed TO the citi.
zens of the several towns, rather than TO
The law makers.
OBLIGATORY ATTENDANCE.
Notwithstanding the large expenditures
10 maintain Tree schools in sufficient num-
ber TO secure 10 every child such clemen-
lary education and training "a all alike
will need for the common duties and
the ordinary pursuits OF lie, yet the last
census makes the startling announcement
that there are IL. 1876 persons in this State
above ten years of aSe, who cannot read
or write. Our State pride may be some
what satisfied by the consideration that n
large portion OF this army OF illitera,es
are immigrants; vet we cannot lose sight
of the fact that they and their children
are now part of our people, and that
their education into American ideas and
duties. has become doubly essential. But
the evils OF truancy and absentlsm from
our common schools are by no means
confined TO the children oil foreign born
parents. Poverty may have snmethlng to
10 with the Development of these danger
Gus evils. thoughilessness and avarice
more; but both OF these causes united
have not had half so much 10 do with 1t
rs inlemperance and immortality. ltmust
DC confessed that such is the Indifference
OF the public mind. or It's aversion to IN
reference with what is popularity thought
TO be the right ol the parents TO control
their own children, the experience oil other
States with obligatory statues, has by no
means been encouraging. Even the tac'
tory Act in this State, which requires
certain attendance al school OF children
who work in manufacturing establish
mcnts, is dead letter.
Compulsory laws, with strong central
government To enforce them,a - in Prussia,
have produced excellent results. But IN
this country, where the execution OF the
laws depends so much on public opinion.
there must he "A more earnest and general
public discussion oi the subject, before
we shall reap much benefit from such
legislation. The ight of the State to
have every child educated sufficiently TO
iatellgcntIy discharge his duties as citi'
zen, and shield him against the dangers
of ignorance is necessary 10 It's own safety.
The parent. indeed, has the rights, but the
duties, also and the enforcement OF the
duties which every parent owes bis chlld,
cannot be an invasion of his rights. DE
iensible. and even important rs Is legal
enforcement OF the parents duty to edu'
cate his child, yet such statute can press
only as 4 complement 10 sound views,
wrought into the popular mind ana heart,
The most important work IN this direction
at present must be done by earnest per
sonal appeals 10 parents. and by making
the school-rOom attractive 10 the child.
No subject claiming your attention as
legislators, demands more thoughtful ana
earnest consideration than that oi our
public schools 4 free government like
ours can exist only where the people are
educated; and there can be no general
education without an effective common
school system. To impair the efficiency
or sap the foundation of this system, i TO
strike at the lie OF the State and Nation.
More than this, it is TO overthrow an IN.
stitution which is doing so much to i'm
prove social lie, promote private virtue.
comfort and thrift, and secure general
prosperity.
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC
I ARTS.
, The reports Of the Trustees, President
and Treasurer Of rhe Collage oil AgrIcni'
turc and Mechanic Arts, present unmis.
taxable evidence of the prosperity and
! progress OF this institution. Only i've
} wears have elapsed since the college
, opened with twelve students; now one
hundred names appear on the roll OF un'
ergrtduates-an increase OF twenty nine
: since The last report. The friends oil this
, Institution have thus lar been disappointed
/ in the reasonable expectation that private
donations would go FAR to provide The
means necessary tor the erection OF suit
+ able buildings. This would have lelt the
l State mainly 10 make such appropriation
| a. might have been needed TO supplement
| The annual income of the national endow
ment, (Which is but little more than So,
0 OOO.) and maintain the institution in the
q. highest degree of efficiency. Notwith-
D standiug the State has already made large
I appropriations for building purposes, as
well as smaller sums to meet the animal
. deficiencies. yet the college is still greatly
$ in need OF additional means in the same
/ directions. 1t is TO be hoped that an in
+ stitution SO well calculated ito promote
I The liberal and practical education OF the
industrial and professions OF lille, Will
receive that popular sympathy and sup
: port which il so well deserves.
+ THE LAND DEPARTMENT.
The Land Agent reports that the affair:
4. of his Office are being SO rapidly closed
# up. that within two years, ut least, such
: inconsdrable State interests as remain
n may be transferred 10 the care oil the
Secretary of State and State Treasurer
g and the once important land department
d of the State government be discontinued
II This will necessilale legislation authorlz
h ing the Land Agent 10 select and reserve
such portion of the ll4,oOO acres set apart
, for that purpose, and to sell the remain