Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-05


better instruction is the one thing needful to their
The Normal Schools are doing good
service in this behalf to the extent of their capac-
ity. Since the disconnuance of the Teachers Insti-
tutes, great majority of the teachers of common
schools have had no opportunity for obtaining
in the art Of teaching. The renewal
Of Institutes is respectfully suggested for your
consideration.
SAVINGS BANKS.
No new Savings banks have been organized the
past year Since August 1875 four of the sixty
four savings banks in the State have become in
solvent and been placed in the hands of receivers,
and three others have suspended payment One of
these latter, the Watervile Savings Bank, has re-
sumed payment by the action of the depositors
No arrangement has vet been accepted By the de-
postors of the two other banks
The amount of deposits and profits of the six
ty banks doing business. was, on the sixth of No
vember last, S27 SlS,16 20, decrease during the
year of "a 264 549.5S including 81, ,029, ,963 9j of
deposits placed in the hands of receivers. The
number OF depositors decreased during the year
l0,1O5. The present number is 90,62l, and the
deposits average S306 90 to each depositor
The Winthrop Savings Bank was taken posses
sion OF by receivers before the day fixed BY law
for making returns to the State Treasurer for the
six months then nearly expired and the receivers
refused to pay the tax for that period. A suit to
recover this tax was brought by the State Treas
urer, and prosecuted by the Attorney General to
that the tax is upon the franchise of savings banks
and the Winthrop bank having ceased to exist be-
fore the return for taxation was due from it,
nothing renamed upon which to assess O tax, and
the CLAIM OF the State wa. therefore not a valid
one. Applications growing out of this decision
will probably be made to the Legislature by sew.
eral banks for the refunding of taxes alleged to
have been improperly paid.
The Commissioners appointed for the purpose
unuer resolve OF the last legislature, have
prepared draft OF genera law relating TO saw
sings bank which will be reported to YOU prin
cipal feature of the proposed law is the substitu.
uon OF tax Of one-half of one per cent. for the
present tax OF one per cent. The present rate of
taxation, considered relatively to the tax upon
other franchises AMI property, cannot be regarded
as disseminating otherwise than n favor of the
banks. The only question is whether it is expe-
dent as tending to maintain and Increase depos-
It's, to reduce the rate. Ii the Legislature shall
favor the affirmative ofthe question | trust that
the reduction made will not exceed one .fouith of
one per cent.
THE INSANE HOSPITAL.
The past year has been made notable in the his
tory of the Insane Hospital by the construction OF
works for supplying the institution WITH water.
The source Of the supply is an artificial pond ex-
cavated in that part of the farm east of the high
way, and 30 situated as to be fed bv springs and
TO receive the drainage of an extensive watershed
A substantial reservoir has been built on the sum-
iul Vi o ucai tuc poud VI tue oil 0SD,
600 gallons. The water is raised from the pond
to the reservoir by steam power and conveyed
thence through iron mains TO the hospital, and
distributed by system of pipes through the main
building. and to the various offices and farm
buildings where it is needed. The water il con-
Quoted through two filters, one at the outflow
from the pond, and one at the outflow from the
reservoir, and is perfectly clear and pure where il
is drawn for use. Water may be forced at need
directly from the pond to the hospital. 1t is be-
ieved that the supply will be ample at all seasons
for all uses and eNigencies.
While il is matter of the first necessity to the
proper conduct OF such an institution that there
should be abundance of water for culinary cleans.
ing and sanitary purposes, and for farm uses
every consideration of humanity and Of prudence
lmperatively demands that the lives of the many
inmates Of the hospital, and the valuable property
Of the State should have the fullest protection pos
sble from the dangers of fire. The trustees have
well done their plain duty in making this indis.
pensable provision. The works cost twelve thou.
sand dollars, and have been paid for from the hos
pital fund.
The inception and execution Of this enterprise
are highly creditable to all concerned 10 il.
The amount of the crops raised upon the farm
indicates that its productiveness has been in
creased to marked extent. This improvement is
undoubtedly due in good part to the fertilization
of the soil with the sewage Of the hospital upon
system which was devised by an officer of the hos
pital, and has been three years in effect The
State Board of Health of Massachusetts have made
this system and its operations the subject of nyes
tigaton, and in their annual report for 1876 they
describe 1t and give it their CONNIE ndation as "ai.
most the only system which has stood the test OF
experience In this country"
The trustees propose to provide at once for the
thorough ventilation of those wards of the hospi-
tai which are deficient in this respect.
The reports for the present year, and former
years, OF the various officers connected with the
hospital. make it evident that the capacity of the
hospital barely suitces for the pi esent number of
patients, and suggest the proprety of seasonabIy
providing accommodation for the increase of APP
plications for admission which will attend the
growth of the popu lation of the State.
The trustees make no request for an appropria-
ton, and am informed by them that they expect
to be able soon to make reduction of the rate
charged for the support Of patients.
The public have always been peculiarly sensitive
with regard to the treatment of patients at such
institutions, and therefore every care should be
taken to inspire the community with confidence
IN the management of the hospital. The frequent
Inspections by the visiting committee are yslua-
Bile means to that end. Whenever any differences
appear between the observat ions opinions of the
trustees ana those OF the committee, the attention
OF the Legislature is called directly to the ex-
animation of the matters in question.
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND THE MECHANIC
ARTS.
The leading object of this institution is "to
teach such branches of learning as are related to
agriculture and the mechanic arts. in such manner
as the Legislature of the State may prescribe, in
order to promote the liberal and practical educa-
ton of the industrial classes in the several pursuits
and professions in life" Whatever latitude of in
struction the terms of the foundation may seem to
permit, 1t must be evident to all who are acquaint-
ed with the sentiment of the State, that the pre-
vang opinion is, that the college should first OF
all be faithful to Its leading object and so ARA
and limit the of Instruction that its punils