Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-02-25
Free H{0h Schools.

The New Religion says tho following
letter, signed by many ol the citizens OF
Norway, irrespec i've OF party, was sent
this week 10 the Hon L c. harrington.
Representative in the Maine Legislature
from Fryeburg.
NORWAY, Me, Feb. II. 1879.
Dear Strive have followed with
great interes, tho excollen. fight YOU
have been making in defence II our High
School system, and desire TO express
in some way. cur appreciation OF your
effort.
Duri0g twelve years now the friends
Ut education in the State have expended
much ume effort and money 10 raise The
standard OF our schools. Ii Is always Il
great work to project aud perfect such n
sy stem, but it requires but slight LABOR
70 degrade and destroy the work ct q
generation.
Our school system lies at the very
foundation OF our happiness aud prosper
ity as people aud State. We forget
these facts in our great greed for gain,
and our desire TO bridge over what we
call hard times. Destroy the efficiency
OF our school system and you ssp.the VI
tally OF the whole body polllic-you
lower the people 10 their own estimation,
and DESTROY their reputation soroad-you
do a mortal wrong 10 our manhood, ana
degrade our State among Its sisters oil
the Union.
la our town, under the operation OF
the present laws, we have built mp Grad
ed Schoos-two Primary, one ln.er-
~ 5diale, one Grammar, one High, and
have called 10 our aid as good teachers
as the Stste sffords. Our schools have
constantly increased in efficiency and
ihoroughness - they have constantly
grown IN favor with parents and tho pub
lie. aud now stand complete in their APP
pointmCuls. and are held very dear bl
our people. Our young men hI Tor co..
lege under the personal supervision OF
parents aud guardians. and this TACT does
not interfere With instruction IN the lower
grades. out stimulates aud encourages
study in all our town schools. We think
this fact should oe especially noted.
Every school IN our town, no matter
now remote feels the stirring and e,evat
lux vi jul NlAokp oNAb''''
Scores uf scholars from various paris OF
the town have been educated in our High
School. who would never have gone be
yond tie town limits Tor the purpose. ant
Others, catching from year TO yeai, and
| little BY LITTLE, tie inspiration, are CON
lux forward Tor iho ssmo purpose. De
siroy. or suspend Tor one year, the High
SchUo law, snd you paraiyze this most
excellent work-you discourage tho
irIe Gs at educaiion-yOu virtually cay
10 many young man, the State VII! not
assls. You 20 hi education.
Destroy this law. and our best teachers
wiil immediately seek employ meut out
side ut the State Already several OF
cur OeSt teachers have taken The alarm,
snd are providing for contingencies oy
negotiating tor positions IN neighOor-
lug State. Others viii do the same.
No dcuD, some features OF the law ss
IL sands are Objectionable. Correct IT.
faults, bit save the law
We cannot, rs people Afford 10 DO
this wicSod thing No political parry
eau afford 10 10 II. The sober ladhs RI
Gus, yir.u0us elements OF society, u1d
these pay tho larger portion OF the taxes
say to our legislators. "ln the name OF
all good things. gentlemen, stay your
hand. complete not this suicidal act. trim
the Ire, it you will, II needs Il, but put
not tho Ok TO it's roots.