Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-12-24

ward greater than they could by making
trades. regardless OF the platform IN
which they stood lsst fail.
RetremchBaent disd Reform.
nosice thst the Republican press Of
the Safe are discussing the question OF
re,renohmen, in Safe expenditures, and
.he argument is generally against any re-
suction Of the usual appropriations by
our Legislature Every call upon the
safe Treasury has It's champion, and the
CIV of "hands off, is heard on every
side. wear told that our public schools
are 20 be crippled ard that our State is
about to take long stride toward the
dark snd barbsrous ages Of the past be-
cause il l. proposed TO discontinue the
appropriation Tor be Free High Schools.
Il is assumed that the Free High Schools
are OF great beaef; TO our common
schools and tbs, to deprive the children
OF the State OF the advantages derived
Of tha, institution. would be sn uniustlh'
sele acto. vandalism toward our common
schools. that can be neither justified or
excused. According 70 the Report Of the
Superintendent OF Common Schools ior
the STATE. Tor the year 1877, seven towns
20 OynrI County maintained Fee High
SCHOOLS When We consider that he st-
vsulages in these seven towns were con-
fined principally % one district in each
town We arc forced 10 the conclusion that
only seven school districts, aud these The
largest a2t wealthiest districts in the
County, are materially benefited by he
Free Hiy1 School 'aw OF Maine
The whole amount drawn from the
State Treas ny tor toe support OF Free
High Schools in Oxford County Tor re
year 1877 wss Il .Sl7 IS; Of this amounu
South Paris. Norway village ard Bethel
Hill. the largest and wealthiest districts
in the County. received 1891 65, or uesrIy
three-fuurths Of the entire amount. None
OF the scholars in the county, unless they
are fortunate enough 10 reside in close
proximity 10 these districts were benefited
oy the outlay. Now is it right and JUS
% compel the back towns snd poorer dis
,ricts to pay tribute TO these wealthy vii
lage districts tor their sole Use and beue-
III? know il is said tbst the wealthy
towns and cities are compelled 10 pay
much more toward the fund OF these
schools than they can receive. sdmi!
this TO be truet certain extent, but it i
no less true ,hat while the wealthy towns
and ci.ies receive some benefit from these
schools. the poor towns and districts are
also compelled TO contribute toward their
ssvpor; while they receive nc benefit
from them whatever. II i taking the
means toI schooling the children from
theD or districts, where IL is N 81 needed,
nd bes;oo iug /. where they DO not need
itatau l cannot subscribe 50 the doc
,rine that the robbng OF the poorest com
nunities Is justified, because the same act
enables Us to roo the riches, ones also.
kaos i, is also said tbs, the poorer
.yrs might shsre ia the benefits OF the
set, 0J raisin and paying from their own
pockets oae dollar Tor every dollar they
.r.to receive from the State. ADM,
this to be true also. But it is no less true
that most Of the towns in Oxford County
and throughout he State are row stag
geriug under burden OF taxation that Is
gTievous 10 90 borne.
Macy OF our towns are compelled, IN
addition TO poll tax Of trou tour and
0ne-half 70 six dollars, 10 assess upon
The estates therein at he rate Of from
three to five per cent, and that upon q
valuation much above is present value.
Whenever complaint has been made OF
his unequal distribution OF the public
tuncs, we have been sneeringly accused
Of being opposed to education and in ia
vor OF Ignorance and vice, and told that
we must submit, or add to the burdens OF
taxation, that are already greater than
We can bear. II our Legislators can de-
wise some law that will be more general
and equal in the distribution OF its favors,
and less onerous in the terms it imposes,
they will confer favor upon the tax
payers OF the State, and lasting benefit
upon the schools that most need their
Consideration and care; ii not, let them
wipe them out altogether, aud the COM
mon schools will live snd flourish after
they are forgotten. j.
Hon. VIM. P Frye made q strong
speech upou the Geneva award bill be-
!oro The House. on Saturday, Dec. l4th.
II - reDorted in full IN the CONgTeSStOHaL