The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-09

II.
the workshops was unfortunately burned
involving loss of the building, valued al
about $4,000, and also of stock and tools val
ued at $1,000. This loss reduces the value
OF the tools, stock, ETC., to about $10S,O00
but 1t is thought that the operations of the
prison can be carried ON as usual without
any appropriation to supply this part of the
loss. A new fire-proof workshop will, how.
ever, be required another summer, whether
Tue TABOR OF the prisoners is disposed of tc
contractors, or employed on account of the
state. For the erection of such building
as shall be well adapted to the wants of the
prison. the inspectors recommend an appro-
priation of $4,000.
with the exception of period of six OF
elght years, the State has always employed
1aDof OF the convicts in manufacturing oper-
atoms on its own account, on the assump-
tion that such a course was preferable on
grounds of economy as well as discipline.
lnasmuch as it is thought by some that il
would be more equitable to the public, and
more advantageous to the State, to dispose
OF the labor Of the convicts TO contractors, l
would suggest that your committee on that
institution investigate the subject, and give a
hearing to all persons interested in this or
any ether matter connected with the man.
agement of the prison. "a
REFORM SCHOOL.
The Trustees of the Reform School give
expression to judgment forced upon them
by observation and experience, and i'm full
harmony with the advice of officers of similar
institutions in other states, that large part
ofthe benefits which might be expected from
that school, are lost in consequence of so
faulty an arrangement of the interior of the
building as to make 1t impossible to properly
separate the different grades of boys. As it
is now, there must be an enforced assoca-
tion of boys who are committed for truancy
or some petty misdemeanor, which by no
means argues more than want of parental
care, with youth who are to great extent
Gepraved; as well as an indiscriminate herd
ing of all classes of crime. Under such cir
cumstances any methods of reform must be
largely counterbalanced by bad influences,
The Trustees ask for an appropriation of
SIC, ,0C0 to make the changes in the building
required in order to overcome the insutfera-
BILE diffic llties suggested, and are thoroughly
convinced that unless this can be done the
institution must continue shorn of a large
part of its power tor good. 1 am so pro-
foundly convinced of the correctness of this
view, that trust you will give the recon-
of the Trustees that favorable
which they so well deserve.
INSANE HOSPITAL.
The report of the Trustees of the Insane
Hospital, which has been delayed for
examination of the accounts of the
late Treasurer of the institution, will be laid
before the Legislature as soon as it is placed
in my hands. The report of the Superint nd
ent shows steady increase of the number of
the patients, and gives evidence of success
full discharge of the important duties resting
on him. l am Informed that proposition
will be made to you to so amend the laws re-
lating to tine Hospital, as to place the patients
more completely under the protection of the
laws. This suggestion is not made on ac-
count of any existing necessity in this State,
but in pursuance of general movement de-
signed to reach all similar institutions in this
The report of the Commissioners of a pro-
posed new Insane Hospital, appointed by vir-
tue of resolve of the last Legislature, will be
ound OF such Importance as to claim your
considerate attention. Two members of the
report in favor of erecting, on
Lhe present Hospital grounds in Augusta,
new Hospital, to accommodate one hundred
patients, at an estimated cost of one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. One member re-
ports in favor ofthe erection, on the Hospital
grounds. of two or three cottages at first, and
Others as they may be needed, to
severaliy accommodate about twenty patients
dollars each. The present Hospital building
Is over-crowded, and additional accommoda
lions of alleady required.
STATE CHARITIES.
During the past year the State has expend-
ed about fourteen thoueand dollars in educat-
ing fifty-fve deaf and dumb and eleven blind
nfi<Inr VNl.n ~
State paupers has reached the large sum of
thirty-five thousand dollars, and of paupers
in unincorporated places six thousand dollars.
It is more than probable that an amendment
of the law relating to these cherites is expedi-
ent.
THE INDIAN TRIBES
In accordance with treaty stipulatons and
The provisions of existing laws, more than
Twelve thousand dollars have been expended
in aid of the remnants of the two Indian
tribes still living within the State, about S.
700 OF with has been devoted to the Penob-
scot tribe, and 50, ZOO to the Passamaquoddy
tribe, Of the amount devoted to the Penob-
scots, however, about S. 900 was the interest
On the fund belonging to the tribe held in
trust by the State. By direction of all act of
The last Legislature. the proceeds of certain
shore rents amounting to over $4,000, are to
be distributed among the members of the
5libe. As probably some heads OF families en-
titled to receive a large sum, would an i'm
proper use of the same, it is possible that the
aw may need some amendment to give a
anger discretion in the disposition of the fund.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
Iregret that the late financial disturbances
have as yet prevented the. Trustees of the
Maine Industrial School for Girls, from Sc
NJ tlnn Ill
lulred through private subscriptions, before
5hey could avail themselves of the five thou
sand dollars conditionally granted by the
State to aid in the establishment and mainte-
nance of the proposed institution. The
School has been located in Hallowell, in con-
sideration of liberal donations frvm two be-
1evolent ladies of that city and it is intended
70 put il in operation as soon as the balance
Of the private contributions required can be
secured. 1t is to be hoped that measures to
that end will be successful at an early day, so
hat the State may be provided with school
50 much needed for class of girls leading an
de vagrant or vicious life, or ih great danger of
falling into habits of vice or immortality To
secure such school the State may wisely ex-
tend liberal assistance.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
The report of the Superinte 1dantsof Com
mon School which will be laid before you at
an early day, presents an incourag ng view of
the condition and prospects Of the educational
interest of the State. The increase in school
money arising from the State mill-tax and
the tax on Savings banks the improvement in
methods of teaching, growing largely out of
the work of our Normal Schools; and the
already marked influence of the Free High
School System adopted by the last Legislature,
have materially improved the character and
efficiency of our public rchools, and aroused
new interest in the cause of education.
FREE HIGH SCHOOLS.
The Free High School system, especially,
in practical operation but little more
than half uf the past year, has already achiev-
ed so great success as to surpass the utmost
expectations of its waimest friends, and to
promise, within a reasonable time, results
that can but satisfy all of the wisdom of the
policy. The official reports which have been
received by the Department of Education,
show that $50 Free High Schools, in 1873 diff
ferent cities, towns and plantations, repre-
sentlng every county in the State, have been
from one to three terms each, since
the first of March last; and that these schools
have been supported by municipal appropri-
ations to the amount of SS3, ,523, and State aid
to the amount of $29, 1874. In these schools
10,2S6 pupils have received instruction in
those branches usually taught in the common
schools, excluding primary studies; and also
in such other directions as are demanded by
the increasing industrial and business wants
Of the times. 1t is especially noteworthy that