Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-01-09

ment. j am convinced that the office
cannot at present be advantageously dis
continued, and that the transfer OF its du-
ties 10 some other department would
neither benefit the public service nor et-
iect an economy.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The statistics of the common schools for the
school year ending April l. 1876, do not differ ma
terially from those for the preceding year. They
indicate, however, a continued interest and pro
gress in all that relates TO them. The sum OF ell
O5i ,i97 was expended for public schools, 10 which
the state contributed the available amount OF
1915, So. Eighty-six school houscs were butt
during the year at a cost of slGi ,3Ui. The laws
concerning the relations of the State TO the schools
work admirably. and are hcishieuei Ia efficiency
bv the recent act Ttquiriug sworn fiscal returns
TO be made 10 the state superintendent lt Is
believed that this law proves Oi benefit to towns
also in enforcing a strict account "i all school
moneys belonging TO them from whatever isource
derived.
/ invite you to consider the aayisab .lity OF the
providing for the inspection OF High schools by
The State superintendent of Common schools TO
appoint sufficient number Of competent persons
to aid him visiting ana ascertain the character
of all the schools ia their respective 'cinitles,
claiming the benefit at The free nigh school law.
That officer u repaired to be- sItI lird that the
provisions of the Tree hirh school Hrt have been
complied with before Issuing las Crtiih ate FOR The
sum due from the state. White a. 10 n ~ OF the
provisions of the law, hc eau readily satisfy him.
self from the report OF thc experimenting school
Committees, whether they have been complied
with IL g. easy 10 perceive that they do not fur
nish sufficient data 10 prove that the proper attcn-
ton has been paid 10 the specified studies requr.
Cd and that the schools conform TO IN spirit Is
well "a IN letter 10 the intent of the law. IL b.
proper and busincss-like that the superintendent
should in person, or through liis agents, examine
these schools before Vouchipg for the Jusucc OF
their claim upon the state. Besides anOrding the
superintendent information, which should be in
his possession, such an inspection would greatly
tend to elevate the standard and promote the ell
cheney of this class OF schools.
The virtual institution Of High School. 10y the
State through the aid Il proncrs for their support
was "A wise AMI timely act IN lul accordance win
the provisions of the Constitution enJoining The
encouragement of education upon the Legislature:
The system has been iOUr years In operation, and
has fairly demonstrated its value. But care should
be taken lest by failing 10 maintain proper stand
ard they not only defeat the object of their inst'-
tuition, but injuTously affect The common schools.
Ny recommendation IL intended 10 subsetVe th'
interests OF both grades.
IL Is the universally expressed option OF those
having the most knowledge of our schools That
better instruction Il the one thing necdul 10 thell
/ efficiency. The Normal schools are doing good
service IN this behalf TO the extent OF their capIc.
ity. Since the discOntinuancc OF the Icachcrs
Institutes a great majority OF teachers IN common
schools have had no opportunity for OOtalnlng III
siructOn In the ant OF teaching The renewal oI
INSTITUTES - hAhk'aA'~ ASA sN"a 'N'
sidcration.
SAVINGS BANKS.
No new savings banks have been organized the
pas year. Since August, -, four Of the SIXTY
four savings banks in the State have become insol
vent ;and been placed tn the hancs OF receivers
and three Others have suspended payment. oue
OF these latter the Wa'rTNille savings Bank, ha'
resumed payment 10y the action of the dcpo-itor-
No arrangement has yet been accepted 10y thc dc
po,iIors OF the two other banks.
The amount of deposits and profits OF the sky
banks doing business was, ON the tth OF NoNem
Der last, 81 SIS, ,Gio. docrcssc during The year
OF "a 80 6> including Sl,O29 ,ol ~ @. deposii.
laced IN the hands OF receivers. Tho number o'
depOsilors decreased during the year 1910. Inc
present number is - Gal, aud the de Pose average
$40 to each dypofitoT.
The Winthrop Savings Bank was taken posses
sion Of hy receivers before the day liked by law
for making returns 20 the state Treasurer Tor Inc
six months then nearly expired, and the receiver
refused Ia pay the tax for that period. \ suit "a
recover Tins taN was brought by The stale lrcasug
rr, and prosecuted hy thc Attorney General 70
hnal judgment by the Law Court TO the elect thai
thcIaN IL up1n the franchise ot saNings bank - aud
the Winthrop bank having ceased To thist before
the return Tor tAIatiOn was due from T., nothing
remained upon which 90 asses tax, anu th'
claim OF the state was Therefore not valid one
Applications growing out OF this decision VIII pro
baby DC made 10 the Legislature by several bank'
FOR reiuuiing OF taxes alleged 10 have hcch lh
properly pad.
The Commissioners appointed FOR The purpose
under 4 resolve OF the last Legislature, have pre-
pared - draft Of general Ian relating 90 saving
banks which will DC reported 10 YOU. Apuncipa
tcaiuIc OF the proposed LAW l. substil utiOn vi
tan Of one hail OF one per cent. for the present
tax # Que per cent. The present rate Of taxation
considered relatively 10 the tax upon uiEtr iran
chiscs and property, cannot De regarded ~ DIS
eliminating Otherwise than IN iifor oil TIE oGhAs
the only question u whether 10 IS cNrcditnt. ~
tending 20 maintain and increase deposits 10 reduce
the rate II the Legislature shall favor The ain m
ate Of the question trust that the rcducuJu maze
will not exceed ore-lJurth OF one per cent.