The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-01-07
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on that the safety of the country rests upon the in
telligence of its citizens Duty and self interest
unite in inducing the state to give the amplest faci
ties for educaion to spare nothing to provide what
Luther styled the "best and costest possession of
city, plenty of fine, learned, rational, honorable
wel-brought up citizens"
The good results of the system apparent in the
improved character of the schools, and the marked
revival of interest in all that pertains to the public
preparation of youth for the business of life and the
duties of citizenship 1t is by means perfect, but
the success that has thus far attended it, is
ance that it is in the main, the true means of
compshng the best results attainable for education
Some improvements are LETT to be made by commun-
tiles for themselves, example and experience shall
enforce the necessity for them Others, required to
supply defects which the workings of the system
have discovered and for the general benefit it is the
province of the legislature to make.
The suppression of the district by the town system
is an important and desirable object to be gained
This is left by the law to the voluntary action of each
town, and the process of supplanting is gradually
going on. The town is the unit and strength of our
political organization. From it proceeded in great
part the influences and the aid that sustained the
Revolution and preserved the Union. 1t has been
well observed that the training received in the ad
mnsration of the affairs of these 'ttle republics,
contributes largely to the welbeing and conduct of
the public affairs of the nation. 1t is the proper agen
cy of the people and its Importance should be mag
nifed by them.
The management of school matters is one of its
highest and most legitimate functions, and those
towns which have assumed it find themselves bene-
fitted by the change.
The state cannot in any other way so effectively
promote the usefulness of the schools as by provid
ing for the supply Of trained instructors 1t is true
that colleges and high schools furnish many
scholars well qualified to teach, in point of general
requirements, but rule they have had special
instructions in the first essential of a teacher
"a knowledge of the art of imparting knowl-
edge, or, rather, of leading the pupil to its dis
covery. Their notions of methods must necessarily
be of hap-hazard character, differing according to
the aptitude of individuals for the profession un-
scientific, and therefore wasteful of the time and
opportunities of the youth dependent on them for
guidance. No sense of injury is more bitter and
abiding than that caused by incompetency or un-
skillfulness ofteaehers.
The two normal schools are highly successful
agents for reinforcing the corps of instruction. but
the simplest calculation demonstrates the hopeless
inadequacy of their utmost capacity to meet more
than fraction of the demand for skilled teachers.
The school law makes it the duty of the Governor
and council, when they have reason to believe that
any town has neglected to raise and expend the
school money required by law, to faithfully expend
the school money received from the state, to Withhold
further payment to such town from the state treasury
until they shall be satisfied that the required expen-
diture has been made. Further legislation is needed
to give this provision of law the efficiency it
ought to have, and 1 accordingly recommend that
sworn returns from proper officers of towns, giving
c.Il. ..~c1- T.. l..
penditure of school money, be made prerequisite
to the receipt Of the state gratuity The necessity for
such legislation is made apparent by the fact that
large number of towns have voluntarily furnished
reports in answer to inquiry which indicate
that they have far failed to conform to the law
to temporarily forfeit their right to the state school
money. This state OF things is far from proving that
more money is set apart for education than is
sary. When all the children are brought into the
schools who ought to be brought thither, and who
would be if the compulsory measures provided by
law should be resorted to when the schools prop
ery graded and trained teachers worthy of increased
hire be procured there will then be embarrass-
ment of riches. The delinquent towns have simply
failed to accommodate themselves to the order of
things, which demands more schools with longer
duration, better instruction and fuller attendance
believe that the welfare of the schools would
school funds should be charged with the payment of
the annual expenses of the normal schools and the
College Of agriculture and the Mechanic Arts.
SAVINGS BANKS.
The Bank Examiner reports sixty-four savings
banks in operation in this state five of which organ
lied and commenced business within the past year.
The deposits therein for the year ending November
80, 1875, amounted to S32 OS3314.2S, an increase
SiO21 ,35O.55 in 1876 74OssSi less than the in
crease in 1874 The non-interest paying securities
owned by the banks amount to 81, $3.50 %, sum
greater than the amount of such sec7rities held BY
Them the previous year ny ofvs,
of the deposits in savingsb anks above the capital
| circulation and deposit of National Banks, is
| about 5 100000 The Examiner makes suggestions
| and recommendations which will no doubt receive
from you the attention which their importance de-
mands.
The subject of reducing the rate Of tax upon the
deposits in savings banks has already been referred
to. The course which has been pursued by some
savings banks in drawing upon their reserved earn
ings for the purpose of completing dividends, pre-
sents a reason for prohibiting by law the division
among depositors of other profits than those earned
within the period for which the dividend is declared,
| and the excess above the prescribed reserve.
The robbing of the Winthrop Savings Bank forcl-
bly, suggests the propiety of clothing the examiner
| with power to compel the banks to provide safe
guards adequate to their funds from the var
GUS forms of danger which menace them, and espec-
tally from daring ingenuity of crime.
If the present limitation of the rate of dividends to
three per cent. semi-annually, made with refer
to the Understanding value of money at the
time the law passed, as it probably was, adher
to that principle Of conformity to the ruling rate
ofinterest, manifesty requires further limitation
| of ol1ox of vii of he
people demands that the state should not exert any
influence tending to maintain high rate of interest.
| THE LAND AGENT.
The land agent reports the result of the sales of
land during the year, that the only 2mainng state
lands not finally disposed of 3471 acres Of set
tng land unsod, and 142 O67 acres for which certi-
Gates have been given to settlers who will be entitled
to deeds upon the fulment by them of the required
conditions. Sums general account, on account Of
the permanent school funds and reserved lands, to
the amount Of $62,SOs.72, have been paid into the
treasury.
A commission, composed of the Governor, state
treasurer and land agent, was created by the last
Legislature to inquire what further steps might be
necessary in order to finally close up the affairs of
the land office and to place the settling lands in such
custody should be for the best interest of the state
and hasten their settlement and directed to report
to this Legislature. Your action will doubtless be
guided by their report made from full investigation
and knowledge of the subject.
| The office of land agent has been abolished as a
constitutional Office by amendment to the consti-
tuition which took effect the first day Of the present
month. Its revival by law and continuance as a
separate department of the state, would seem to en-
tail unnecessary expense. For prudential reasons,
it is advisable that the title be obtained and conferred
upon the other officer to whom you shall
assign the duties of the office.
THE RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS
The railroads of the state are said by the commits
soners to be in improved and excellent condition.
They express wel-founded qualification at the COM
parative freedom from casualties which has attended
the running of trains, as denotng intelligent and
careful management, and proper sense of responsi-
| bility.
| The year has not been prolific in new roads or ex-
| tensions The Aroostook River Railroad Company
chartered in 1s73 has completed and opened for tra
c, three miles OF its roadfrom Fort Fairfield to the
state line, where it forms connection with the New
Brunswick railroad. The Somerset railroad has
recently finished an extension of five miles, from
Il n1-AI I-nIP n-NA