Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-01-13


it, grand pageant. Maine would not fail To he
well represented in the column Of the citizen
sodiery OF the Union whose presence in Phiia-
delphia in 1876 will be peculiarly appropriate
and suggestive.
STATE PENSIONS.
The State pension system is valuable sup
plement 10 the national system. and oitentimes
by the prompiness its beneiaetions, affords
a timely relief which could not be obtained
through the tardier process OF the latter. The
Adjutant General reports that the pension ap-
prouration for the past year has not been en-
tircly expended. and that "A reduction may be
nate in the amount OF the appropriation for
the current year. without mourning tbs risk OF
DENYING aid TO deserving applicants. Nd APP
preparation of the public money receives more
general and cheerful acquie>cence than that
for the benefit of the men who gave health.
strength and precious years OF youth or man
hood 10 the country's service. and of their fam
lilies suffering from the loss of the bread-ain-
ncr.
THE COMMON SCHOOLS.
Tnc present common school system Is the
ouisrowih of the confirmation by the war of
the conviction. that the safety of the country
rests upon the intelligence of its citizens DUTY
aud self interest mite in inducing the State to
give the amplest facilities for education: To
spare nothing 10 provide what Luther styled
the "be,t and costlest possession OF a citv. a
plenty Of tine. learned. Rational. honorable.
well-broughi up citizens.
The good results Of the System are apparent
in the improved character of the schools. and
the marked revival OF interest in all that per-
tains the public preparation OF youth tor tn :
cuisines. of life and the duties Of citizenship. 1t
i by no means perfect, but the success that has
thus far attended il. is an assurance that il j..
I in the main, the true means of accomplishing
I the best results aitalnabic for education. Some
| improvements are len to be made by commu-
! mites Tor themselves, a. example and expert
/ once shall enforce the necessity for them. 9th
/ cr>, required 10 supply defects which this
/ workings OF the system have discovered and
Tor the genera. benefit il j. the province OF the
legislature 10 make.
The >upcr>essiou Of the district by the town
system. i an important aud desirable obi ct To
/ be gained. Thi- i len BY the law Ia The yoluu
/ tary action of each town. aud ih. rupcr,- Of
/ >UPpiautng j. gradually gong on. The town
/ j the unit and strength OF our political orgtui-
z ~ ion. From II proceeded IN great p5rt thc
/ Influences an The and thIt sustained the Rev, =
b luton aud preserved thr tuion. II ht- b,rn
. Vel observed that the training resolved ia the
. administration Of the Affairs Of these little
/ republics" contribute. largely to the wrl-bring
/ and conduct OF tn pubic AFT tir> OF the nation
: II i the proper agency of the people and it,
! importance should be magniied by them.
/ The Management OF school matier, j. one OF
! lis highest and most Legitimate functions, aud
! those towns which have assumed It lind them
selves benefited by the chang.
The State cannot in any other WAY oilrc-
& lively promote the usefulness oil TIE schools
/ by providing for the supply oftraincd instruc-
! tors. Ii j. true that our colleges and high
I schools finnish many scholars we'll qualified To
/ teach, in point OF general requirements, but -
I rule they have had no special instructions in
! the nrst essential of a trachcr-a knowledge OF
/ the art of impartins know ledge, OF. rather. Of
I leading the pupil to il discovery. Their no
/ tiun> OF melhoi. must necessarily De OF a hap
hazard character. differing according TO the APP
iiiuls Of indiN iluals for the profession. unset
d mi herr pf he nj
I opportunities Of the youth dependent on them
\ for guidance. No sense OF injury J. more butter
and abiding than that caused by the incompe-
/ trncy or uusklllune>, of teachers,
he two normal schools arc highly succr>.-
nj agents for -.i firc az IA c'Ip- II in>truc-
iol hi4t t4c -Im .l,.-i ,ii.l,la ip.l 20 t ,-
I the hopeless lnadrquacy oi thrir utmost cap4ci-
/ ~ to meet more than fraction OF the demand
I Tor skilled teachers.
/ The school law make, II the duly of tho Gov
/ ernnr and Cuurcii, when they have reason u
+ believe that any town has neglected to raise and
/ eNpend the school money required 10y law, or
/ T. faithfully cXpend the school money received
/ from the state. To Withhold further pay mcnt to
4 such town from the state treasury until they
! shall b. satisfied thsi the required expenditure
+ has been made. Further legislation l. needed
| 10 give this provision OF law tn. efficiency II
ought 10 have. and accordingly recommend
I that sworn returns from proper Officers of
/ towns, giving fall information ia rcga ri 10 the
! raising and expenditure OF school money. be
made = prerequisite TO the receipt Of the Sta
crAtuiS. The necessity for such legislation J.
4 made apparent by the TACT that : large numb r
/ 81 towns have voluntarily furnished reports IN
I an.wrT 10 inquiry. which Indicate that they
. have 20 far failed 20 conform 10 the law 10
/ temporarily forfeit their night to The state
( school money. This state oil things j. far IRON
T proNin. that more lnuncy j. let apart for edit
/ cation than i necessary. When a the child
. rem are brought into thc schools WAC uuSdt 10
! b. brought thither, and WHO would De II the
/ compulsory measures provided by law should
] be- r sorted TO; when the school, are properly
graded, and trained teachers, worthy Of in
creased hire. can De- procured, there viii then
. %. 10 embarrassment nj OF riches. The delinquent
I towns have simply failed To accommodate them
| selves To the ncy order Of thing. which d.
/ mands more schools with longer duration, hyl-
/ ter instruction and fuller Attendance.
| believe that the welfare ut the schools
would suffer nO d",riineat Tor the present, Il
the state school funds should Zee charged with
the payment Of the annual eNpen,e- OF the
. nor M. school, ami the College uf Agriculture
and the Mechanic .Art,.
SAVINGS BANk-.
The Bank Examiner report, siNty-.our say
ing banks IN operation IN thls STATE. live Of
J winch organized aud comm need business
+ wi,A:u the past year. The post, therein for
I tie wear ending November -. $50. amounted
to -. US3i >. an increase of 81 U2l 80 ~ in
$50. ~, 4.u>9."i less than the Increase in 1874.
/ The noE-.nt-re,t paying securities owned by
! the banks amount 10 sl.l90.8 $50 -. a -uin
/ greater than the amount II such ,.curtic> held
( by iem the previous wear by Sl64 1891.
I The excess of the deposits in saving, bank,
J above the capl al, circulation and deposit Of
Z National Banks, l. about SI.JuO,Up The EX-
/ amiuer makes suggestions and recommcnda-
I uou- which Will no doubt receive from you the
I attention which their Importance demands.
/ The subject of reducing the rate OF tax upon
the deposits in saving, banks has already been
} referred /. The course which has been pur-
I sued by some savings banks in drawing upon
/ their reserved earnings for the purpose of COM
/ peinE dividends. presents 4 reason for pro-
! hlbItlng by law the division among deposltUrs
! of other profit, than those earned WITHIN the
| period tor which dividend is declared, and
( the excess above the prescribed reserve.
The robbng Of the Winthrop savings Bank
Q iOrcbly suggests the prOpricty of clothing the
/ Examiner with power 70 compel banks u
| provide safeguards adequate TO secure their
/ funds from The various forms Of danger wrieh
| menace them. and especially from the daring
! Ingenuity Of crime.
If the present limitation of the rate Of CIV l.
den> TO three per cent. systematically WAS
/ made with reference TO the Understanding
value of money al the time The law was passed,
as it probably was, adherence 10 that principle
| OF conformity TO the ruling rate of interest,
maniir sly requires "A further limitation Of the
! allow abb rate Of dividends. The good OF the
| whole people demands that the State should
| not exert any influence tending TO miataiu IA
! high iate OF interest.
THE LAND AGENT.
The Land Agent reports Is the result Of the
/ sales OF land during the year. that the only re-
manning state lands not finally disposed of, are
| 34.1Sl acres of settling lands unsod, and 49,
| OjI acres for which certificates have been CIV
| en- 10 settler, who will be entitled TO deeds
| upon the fulfilment by them OF the required
| conditions sums on general account. on &c.
| count OF the permanent school funds aud re-
serve lands. To the amount of 562 SOS, ~. 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
I 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 as
| should be for the best interest OF the State and
| hasten 10 their settlement and directed TO re-
| port to this Legislature. Your action will
doubtless be guided by their report made from
| full investigation and knowledge of the sub
| ject.
! The Office Of Land Agent has been abolished
| as d constitutional Office, by an amendment to
the constitution which took effect the first day
/ of the present month. Its revival by law and