Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-01-15

been expended in aid of the remnants Of
the two Indian tribes still living within
the State, about $500 of which has
been devoted to the PenobscOt tribe, and
$500 to the PassamaQuOddy tribe. Ot
the amount devoted to the PenObscOts,
however, about 5000 was the interest
on the fund belonging to the tribe held
in trust by the State. BY direction Of
an act of the last Legislature, the pro-
ceeds Of certain shore rents amounting
to over 5000, are to be distributed
among the members Of the tribe. As
probably some heads of families entitled
to receive large sum, would make an
improper use OF the same, il is possible
that ihe'law may need some amend.
ment to give larger discretion in the
disposition of the fund.-,
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
regret that the late financial distur-
Dances have asyet prevented the Trustees
of the Maine Industrial School for Girls,
from securing the twenty five Thousand
dollars required through private SUBJ
scriptiOns, before they could avail them.
selves OF the five thousand dollars con-
ditionally granted by the State TO aid in
the establishment aud maintenance of
the proposed institution. The School
has been located in Hallowcli, in CON-
sideraiion of liberal donations from two
benevolent ladies of that city; and It Is
intended to put it in operation as soon
as the balance oil the private cOntribu-
tions required can be secured. Ii 10 to
he hoped that measures to that end
will be successful at an early day, SO that
the State may be provided with q school
so much needed for class Of girls lead
ing an idle, vagrant or vicious life, or in
great danger OF falling into habits of
vice or immortality. To secure such a
school the State may wisely extend lib
eral assistance.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
The report Of the Superintendent OF
Common Schools, which will be laid before
you at an early day. presents an encOur-
aging view of the condition and prospects
Of the educational interests 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 Norlnal Schools; and the already
marked influence Of the Free High School
System adopted by the last Legislature !;
have materially improved the character
and efiiciencs Of our public schools, aud
aroused new interest in the cause OF ed
ucation.
fREE HIGH SCHOOLS.
The Free High School system, especial
ly, although in practical operation but lit
tie more than half Of the past year. has al
ready achieved so great success as TO sur
IA In a.,
est friends. and TO promise, within reA-
sonabie time. results that can but satisfy
all OF the wisdom Of the policy. The ofii-
cial reports which have been received by
the Department OF Education. shows that
l5O Free High Schools. In l33 different
cities, towns and plantations, representing
every county In the State, have been MAIN
tanned from one to three terms each, since
the first of March last; aud that these
schools have been supported by municipal
appropriations TO the amount OF $50 ,523,
and State aid TO the amount OF go ,l34. In
these schools 10, 2s6 papils have received
instruction in those branches usually
taught In the common schools, excluding
primary studies; and also In such other di-
rections as are demanded BY the increasing
industrial and business wants Of the times.
Ii Is especially noteworthy that . large
portion of the youth of both sexes reached
by these schools, are those who had with
drawn from the common school with q de-
ncient education; or whom poverty or
other circumstances had prevented from
leaving their homes TO obtain better Op-
portunities for education than those afford
Ell by the short winter term Of their dis
trict school. Many youth who will here
after make most valuable teachers Of our
cDmmnu srhnn1s ivip in ho
High School that broader and deeper cul-
ture so essential to prepare them for this
high work. The influence on the common
schools Of such pupils as have attended
the Free High School, is aready proving in
the highest degree beneficial. So far as
am informed, in most Of the towns In
which such school has been held, new
interest has been awakened in the cause
Of education.
Ii was feared by some that the syste IN
would be impracticable for small or
sparsely settled towns; but some Of the
most successful Free High Schools main
tanned during the autumn, have been in
just such localities. In one case. at least,
sparsely settled plantation has maintain
ed most fiourishing school for eleven
weeks, By q municipal appropriation of
seventy-fve dollars, increased by an equal
amount from the State. Indeed, thus far
the most complete success Of the Free
High School System has been in exclusive
ly farming towns, where this adjunct of
the common school system is affording
such facilities for education as can but
serve to increase the attractions Of that
rural life which is the source Of our nation
al strength and purity. With continu-
ance Of the system, there can be scarcely
doubt that within brief period these
schools will be established in most of the
towns in the state; aod will give such an
impetus to our educational interests AS
nothing else could.
EDUCATIONAL EXPENDITURES.
The aggregate expenditure for the pub
lie schools of the State. during the past
school year has been 81 ,OOO, 500, exclusive
of the amount expended for school build
ings and Free High Schools. OF this sum.
towns have directly contributed e625 ,6ls,
and the State S374,97s. II to this sum
should be added the annual expenditures
for schOol-buildings, Free High Schools.
Normal Schools. and College Of Agricul-
ture and Mechanic Ats, and the public
and private expenditures for those Acade-
mics, Seminaries and higher institutions
OF learning which supplement our educa-
tiOnal system and confer such lasting ben
efits on the State, there can be little doubt
that the amount would reach million and q
half dollars. So large an annual expendi-
ture on the part of the people, Is . cOnclu-
sive answer 10 the sugge stion that the peo-
pie are losing their interest In our free
schools. To our credit as State, let it be
said, never before was there so general
interest in education; never before 60 al
mOst universal willingness to make the
largest sacrifices, In order that our chill
dren may have the inestimable blessings
of Intellectual culture. All that the pe0-
pie Of Maine ask is to be assured that their
contributions for so grand an end. are
prudently and wisely expended. To my
mind, indeed, it seems clear that the work
on which our educators may at present
well unite their earnest efforts Is not so
much to secure larger school revenues
although these are essential in some local.
ties-as to devise methods by which bet
ter results may be obtained from the
means at our disposal. By this it should
not be inferred that there Is not the closest
economy in school expenditures. For the
most part. there is this and yet that poll.
cy which loses sight of the fact that a good