Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-29
THE VILLAGE DIsTRfCT.
Annual Meetiug-The People Decide that
the Standard of the schools shall not
he lowered

Annual heettug-The People Decide that
the stsndard of the schools shall not
| be lowered.
The annual school meeting of the voters of the
village district was held in the high school room,
on Saturday afternoon at o'clock. The school
| room was crowded, no such interest being mani
f sted for years in the affairs Of the district.
| The following committee raised to receive,
| sort and count the votes for Moderator: S. J.
| Gallagher S. l.. Boardman, {. b. Morton. They
reported no election, and another baotng was had
| and DIR. Geo f. Brickett was chosen Moderator.
J. +. Pierce was unanimously reelected Clerk
| The following gentlemen were appointed com
mittee to receive sort and count votes for Direc-
| tor j. o. Webster, S. W. Wyman, Phil L.
| Getchell
| The committee reported
Whole number OF votes, 2l9
I Necessary to a choice, ITO
G. A. Robertson had 1877
| Scattering, %
And q. A. Robertson was declared elected Di-
rector
| The same committee received the votes for Sec
| ond Director, and made the following report
Whole number of votes, 25l
| Necessary to a choice. l26
Orin williamson had 147
| Geo. W. Jones, So
| Scattering, Is
And Orrn Williamson was declared elected Di-
rector
| Article 5, to raise money, was taken up.
| j. A. Holman inquired whether some of the eI-
penses of the district could not be cut down
whether some relief could not be obtained in that
direction.
| W. r. Smith said the estimates had been made
with view to continuing the schools in the same
manner az last year. Thought there would be q
falling off in the amount expected from the
State, from the saving banks tax. lie believed in
the most rigid economy, but not that false econ
omy that would diminish the value Of our schools.
| lie would provide education for every son and
daughter in the district. lie would have such
| schools would induce people who have chill
| dren to educate, to come here and settle.
| Geo. W. Jones thought we could dispense with
music in the schools. Ii the scholars have sing
ing master, why not hire a dancing master
ID. T Pike proposed that the expenses should
| be cut down, aud introduced an order which
would practically abolish the schools. He made
| some characteristicslly amusing remarks on the
subject of music and voice-building.
Several propositions were made, and after
| wards withdrawn.
Mr.. Holman thought il better to meet our mstur-
ing obligations in regard to the debt of the district.
Not to do would be only postponing the evil day.
Mr.. Pillsbury remarked that the liabilities which
should now be met before providing for the run
ming expenses for school purposes, were about
5000.
On motion of John W. Chase, the sum of So
$3.50 raised fol the payment Of the outsand-
$500 for notes due, S165 for coupons, and ST.
OO3.1 for interest
The next proposti N was to raise S.. 53l %, for
school purposes, (thc sum recommended by the
DireCtorS.l
Mr., Pike would reduce that sum $1,000
Mr.. Smith said we could not get along with less
than 5000.
Mr.. Holman thought that one OF the assistants
in the high school could be dispensed with, thus
saving $500. Teaching the languages could be
a ts no s0d m nf aIn IA. ru n
INTO the ground Children should have a solid
elementary education, that is all common
school system contemplates. He moved that the
sum he placed at $500.
I Mr. Smith was in favor OF giving facilities for
the poorest boy and gir to obtain an education.
He had grave doubts if the schools could be kept
up to their standard with the proposed reduction.
Major J. d. Myrck said he scholar in the
high school thirty years ago. and knew something
of the character of the school. Thirteen branches
are taught now that he did not have the advsn-
tsge Of. The character of the school has steadily
grown until It has become enc of the best high
schools in the country. He would appeal to the
pride Of the district in maintaining it, At the
present time twenty-eight classes are heard you
cannot keep up these classes and dispense with
one of the teachers. 1t is parsimony when we
talk about cutting down salaries or the number Of
teachers The young men sent out from the last
class, entering college without conditions, re-
dected honor upon the school.
II. NJ. Heath said the argument the other
side had been, let your boys go away from home
to prepare for college. If poor hoy grows up in
Augusta, to whom God had given talents he should
have an opportunity to develop those talents by
education The adoption of the proposed meas
ure would take away from the poor boy the priv
Ilege which is red to the rich.
Mr.. Holman replied that this seemed demagogu-
cal to him. lie claimed that the sons of rich men
enter college now. and not those of the poor
When the poor boy shows talent and determine.
ton. be always find friends to help him in
prepa ing and during his course of study.
Joshua Nve opposed cutting down. He plead
for the Young men who are fitting themselves for
college using every possible eXertion. We are
Justly proud of the record made by our school
At the Centennial exposition. No schools stand
higher than those in Augusta.
The proposition to raise So 53l % was then lost
by tie vote.
The motion to raise 81 500 was voted down.
On motion of Col Osgood, the sum of S.. 900
then voted, by large majority. This will
allow the Directors to make the usual outlay for
schools, without ciipplng them in any Of their
departments
The article to authorize the establishment of q
school in 'S;scyville," was indefinitely postponed
Voted to allow the same discount for taxes
allowed by the city
The meeting then adjourned to Wednesday az
ternoon, May Stk, at o'clock