Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-07

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fire or life It is certain that some-and it may be
| true Of all-life Insurance companies make pro-
| vision in their blank forms for the collection of
| the tax from the persons insured by them. An
unjust discrimination, in effect, is thus made by
the law. Those who insure their property against
fire, pay higher rate of tax to the State on their
expenditure for protection than persons who pro-
cure life insurance, pay on expenditures Tor rec
ognized value in addition to protection.
| No system Of taxation has yet been devised
which is not acknowledged to be imperfect and in
equitable in many respects, and it Is not to be ex
pected that nearer approach to an exact ADJUST
ment be made in this case than in others.
am convinced, however that it Is IN your power to
| make q closer approximation to justice by So
amending the law as to limit the deductions from
| the amount Of premiums received by insurance
companies, TO losses actually paid in the State with
| in the year.
The special tax commissioner, whose report led
to the taxation Of other corporations recommended
therein that the receipts Of express companies be
subjected to tax, and that telegraph companies re-
| main untaxed, but without assigning reason for
| the exemption advised. l respectfully recommend
that you carefully consider whether these COM
paniei can justly be permitted to 60 free Of duty
to the State.
TIE ADJUTANT GENERAL DEPARTMENT.
There has been no material change the past year
in the small military force maintained BY the State
1t consists Of the First Regiment Of infantry, two
unattached companies Of infantry, and one battery
Of artillery.
1t is one of the principal offices Of the Volunteer
Militia, not the chief one, to aid the civil author
tiles in quelling disturbances when the ordinary
means Of preserving the public peace prove in
sufficient. Although such contingencies are not
liable to occur among law-abiding people, their
possibility makes it the duty of the State to pro-
vide for them, and thus render them more remote.
On any occasion OF sufficient gravity to require
the services Of the military arm, battalion or
regiment would be the smallest effective unit; in
order to be properly prepared for duty, the scat
tered companies Of our armament should be
brought together occasionally for discipline and
drill in the larger organization.
The question of holding an encampment for in
structon the present year, will, no doubt, be post
poned TO the consideration Of the sending Of some
portion of the Volunteer Militia to participate in
The inaugural ceremonies Of the Centennial Exhi-
bition. If you should deem it advisable 10 show
the interest of the State in this celebration, by
| responding favorably to the strong wish of our
| soldiers to take part in its grand pageant, Maine
Of the citizen soldiery Of the Union whose pres
ence in Philadelphia in 1876 viii be peculiarly ap-
propriate and suggestive.
STATE PENSIONS.
TEc State pension system is a valuable supple
ment to the national system, and oftentimes, by
the promptness Of its benefactons. affords timely
relief which could not be obtained through the
tardier process of the latter. The Adjutant Gen
eral reports that the pension appropriation for the
past year has not been entirely expended, and
that reduction may be made in the amount of
the appropriation for the current year, without
mourning the risk of denying aid to deserving ap
plicants. No appropriation of the public money
receives more general and cheerful acquiescence
Than that for the benefit of the men who gave
health, strength and precious years of youth or
manhood to the countrys service, and Of their
families suffering from the loss Of the bread-win-
ner.
The COMMON SCHOOLS.
The present common school system is the out
Growth of the confirmation by the war Of the con-
victon that the safety Of the country rests upon
the intelligence of its citizens. DUTY and self
interest unite in inducing the State to give the
anplest facilities for education; TO spare nothing
to provide what Luther STYLED the "best and cost
liest possession Of city, plenty of fpe learned,
rational, honorable, well brought 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 pertains to
the public preparation Of youth for the business Of
life and the duties of citizenship. 1t is by no
means perfect, but the success that has thus far
attended it, is assurance that it is in the main,
the true means Of accomplishing the best results
attainable for education. Some improvements are
left to be made by communities for themselves,
example and experience shah 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 supplant-
ing 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 administration Of the
| affairs OF these "lttle republics" contributes
largely to the well-being and conduct of the pub.
lie affairs of the nation. 1t is the proper agency
Of the people and its importance should be mag
nified by them.
| The management of school matters is one of
! rs highes. ant meet legitimate farc,ions, anu
those towns which have assumed it find themselves
benefited by the change.
! The State cannot in any other way so effectively
promote the usefulness of the schools as by pro-
yiding for the supply OF trained instructors. 1t is
| true that our colleges and high schools furnish
many scholars well qualified to te ach, in point Of
general requirements, but as rule they have had
| no special instructions in the first essential Of
teacher-a knowledge of the art OF imparting
knowledge, or rather, Of leading the pupil 10 It's
discovery. Their notions Of methods must neces-
| sal ily be of hap-hazaid character, differing ac-
cording 10 the apttuLe o! individuals tor the pro-
tession, unscienttc, aid therefore wastetul of the
time and opportunities Of ihe youth dependent on
them for guidance. No sense of injury is more
!
potency or unskilfnlness Of teachers.
| 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 Gov
ernor and Council, when they have reason to be-
ieve that any town has neglected to raise and
expend the school money required by law, or to
faithfully eNpend 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 expenditure has been
made. Further legislation is needed to give this
provision of law the efficiency it ought to have.
and accordingly recommend that sworn returns
from proper officers of towns, giving full infor-
nation in regard to the raising and expenditure
of school money, be made prerequisite to the
receipt of the State grstuity. The necessity for
such legislation is made apparent by the fact that
a large number OF towns have voluntarily fur
nished reports in answer to inquiry, which indi-
cate that they have far failed to conform to the
law as 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 ed
ucaion than is necessary. When all the children
are brought into the schools who ought to be
brought thther, and who would be if the COM
pulsory measures provided by law should be re-
lol