The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-03-12

further fact that in an economical point of
view, measures should be taken to remove all
preventable sources of sickness, with its at
tendant loss of time and expense, and to in
crease human longevity in all practicable
ways, cannot forbear to again urge that you
give the matter that considerate attention
which its Importance deserves. Were the
city compelled to pay damages for each sick
ness incurred and each life lost through its
neglect of public sanitary measures, in the
same manner as in case of defective streets, it
would not be long, venture to say, before
the existing indifference on this subject would
come to an end. The committee on health, as
heretofore constituted, has had only NOM
inal existence. l recommend that it be re-
organized and vitalized, and elevated to the
rank of one of our principal committees,
with reasonable appropriation to carry out
its work.
There were GAL deaths within our limits
from Feb. %, 1877, to Feb. %, 1878, indi-
eating death rate of eighteen and a third to
one thousand inhabitants, against 703 deaths
and death rate of twenty one and tenth
the year before, the average of the death
rate being little less than twenty two for
the six years previous; a result very crafty
ing, as showing progress in the right direc-
ton, attributable in great measure, I think,
to awakened interest in the subject of public
health, and also to the unostentations en-
deavors made by the authorities last year in
its promotion, which passed unnoticed, while
the public attention was called almost ex-
clusively to Back Bay.
SCHOOLS.
Horace Mann pointed out, more than thirty
years ago, the difference between intelligent
and unintelligent labor, and proved by facts
and reason that education is not only moral
conservator and multiplier of intellectual
power, but the most prolific parent of ma
terial riches; that there is very large per-
centage of difference between the earnings of
the educated and uneducated operative,
Taking this lowest view of education, these
truths are as.important now as when they
were first written, and from this standpoint
alone, invest the whole subject with interest
to the citizen. For what has been accom-
plished the past year for the schools, their
present state and condition as well as their
future needs and prospects, must refer you
to the interesting and very practical report
of the superintendent to the school
committee, to the able and instructive
report of that body to the people
direct, by whom they are chosen, and
also to the reports of the various SUBJ COM
mittees to the full board on the respective
branches of study of which they had charge.
On reading these reports and others that have
preceded them, / see indubitable evidences OF
progress and improvement in the schools oil
the city. such as these; uniformity and unity
has been gradually infused into the system,
the rate of attendance has increased, there
has been decided Improvement in the charac-
ter and qualifications of teachers as whole,
the position and influence of the true teacher
are now more and more respected, and the
profession has come to have place to which
it is honorably entitled, the common branches
of reading, writing, spelling, and the art Of
computation are taught with more care and
intelligence than formerly, examining and
memorizing by pupils from textbook are
discoutenanced, but instruction is required te
be impaired orally by the voice of the living
teacher, following the lead of "the august
school mistress, Nature" more extensive us:
is made of studies especially adapted to de.
velop the observing faculties of children, tc
awaken thought and to impart knowl.
edge of the world about them, instruc
ton for the deaf has been introduced
drawing, indispensable to the machinist and
mechanic, valuable. too in training the eye
and the hand, is receiving due attention
music is now recognized as one of the most
useful branches,-an aid to other studies,-
an assistant in discipline, developing the
aesthetic tastes of teacher and pupil. And ]
am peculiarly gratifed by the care and atten.
ton bestowed by the board upon the primary
schools. Considering the fact that of the
whole number of enrolled pupils, two thirds
receive instruction in this department, also
that here the foundation of their future train
ing is laid, and that majority of the children
of the city finish their education at the pri-
maries, there can be no question but thes,
primaries form a vital part of our schoo
system, and should be furnished with com.
petent and efficient teachers. The idea is fas
becoming obsolete that any one is competent
to teach young children. In fact, the mos
practically experienced teachers are required
taking equal rank with those employed in
higher grades.
refer, also, with especial approval to the
association formed of teachers, meeting al
stated times for mutual Improvement, to dis.
cuss topics connected with their vocation, tc
compare notes, to interchange views, and
learn of each other the best methods of in
struction.
1t is hoped that the plan recommended by
the superintendent may be adopted, of plac-
ing such youthful graduates of the high
school, as are DESTROYS of becoming teachers
before they are employed as such. in course
our primary school-rooms under an expert
enced principal, very much as clerks in the
counting-room, or apprentices in the work
shop are trained to their respective callings.
By the report of the school committee and
OF the superintendent, the need of increased
school accommodation, and certain defects in
our present school buildings are forcibly
brought to your attention. The school com :
mlttee, as such, have no charge over these
matters, other than that it is their duty to
place the facts before the City Council for &C.
ton, with respectful suggestions as to what
in their judgment ought to be done. re-
frain from discussing the subject now, be-
cause early after the appointments of the COM
mittees, and before the, appropriations are
made. the whole matter will come formally
before the City Council, and will be referred,
doubtless, to the committee on public build
ings, before whom suggest that full hear
ing be had, at which the real state of the
facts may be ascertained, and an opportunity
given for all citizens to express their views
and thus fair understanding may be arrived
at as to what shall be done in the premises,
taking into view the financial situation of the
city on the one hand, and the indispensable
wants of the public on the other.
Our late superintendent of schools having
resigned in May last for what seemed to him
more eligible position, I congratulate the
city on the selection as his successor of a
gentleman who brings to the discharge of his
duties thorough knowledge and experience of
the field of school work and its requirements,
and enlightened and liberal views in regard to
the cause of good education.
As the mayor is only e1.obicio, and to
certain extent only nominally member of
the school committee, he may be permitted to
express his high sense of the zeal and fidelity
with which the other members of the board
have discharged their responsible duties in
the management of the schools; and he
would especially bear witness to what has
struck him very forcibly, the financial skill
and business methods with which they have
conducted the pecuniary affairs relating to SO
large number of schools, with their one
hundred and twelve teachers and six thou
sand one hundred and sixty-one enrolled
pupils, embracing an expenditure of $76,44O,
coupled with the prudence and frugality
whereby the schools have been carried on
with an appropriation of $s,4s5, less than
the previous year.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
do not think the poor are better provided
for in any city in the country than in our
own. The almshouse is we'll kept neat, and
in good sanitary condition. The number of