Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-06
Mr.. DICkEY said !:

Mr.. DIcKEY said:
NJ. Speaker-Thc people whom in part
represent, long before the Revolution, wer,
driven from their homes in Acadia, and found
a Judgement in the st. John valley, called
Madawaska. There they lived for years,
hewing out of the dense forest home for
themselves, living in comfy with no earthly
government and guided only by the love and
fear Of God. And so they lived and multi
piled until the Treaty of Washington, when
they numbered about $4,000. BY that Treaty
they were divided about equally, one-hali
falling to this State and the other half to the
Province of New Brunswick. Then wt
found them in ignorance and we took them
and agreed to deal with them 'in the mos,
liberal terms of equity and Justice Have
We done so? Not at all. We have left them
uneducated without even an attempt to adj
vance their educational interests until within
few years. here assert to you, Mr.. Speak.
er and gentlemen of the House, that no par,
of the State has made greater progress in ed
ueation than that people.
But we lack trained teachers. We are un.
able to send them from home for training be.
cause, first, they are poor, and, secondly.
because they speak only French and would
be unable to understand the English language.
The Legislature Of last year, recognizing this
great need of that people, establish
ed Normal school for them
but provided that the funds to
carry it on tone thousand dollars) should be
deducted from the Primary school money of
those towns and plantations. provided the
towns of 1T. Kent and Van Buren, would fur
nish school-house and fuel. &c. The town ms
fitted up school-house at large cost and the
school, under the instruction of Mr. Cyr, a
graduate of the Agricultural college, and
Miss Morrill, Of Watcrville, graduate of the
Normal school at Pennington, is doing n
wonderful work. There our teachers con-
gregate, board themselves and are being cdu-
Gated, especially in the English language. This
school has now kept nearly six months
with an attendance never less than forty schol.
ars. And say to you they are making great
progress; and if their schools are continued,
soon we shall have a sufficient number OF
teachers, inferior to none in the State. And
that people, with these facilities for an ed,i-
cation. will come to have full understand
ing ofthe American government and be among
our most worthy and valuable citizens.
The gentleman from Bangor (Mr. Pickard)
has said that there is not a word of truth in
my statement when first opposed the mo-
ton to indefinitely postpone this bill. Mr.
Speaker. hurl the charge of that gentleman
into his teeth as false. | am here to repre-
sent my people, ! represent the most beau
tiful portion Of the State; and when educated
my constituency will be as good and rs beau
tiful as their country. | came here not to
represent party, but those neglected and
down trodden people for whom shall work
as long as the love of God is over me.
Now, Mr.. Speaker, your normal schools at
Castine, Pennington and Gorham are sup
ported out of the school fund of the State
Then why this invidious distinction in the case
of the school in Madawaska? Is not the
school on the St. John for the same
object Is it not for training and fitting teach
ers Doesn't the State extend to the st. John
river? Then in Gods name treat us the
same
Mr.. Speaker, trust and believe that not
single member of this House will vote against
the bill save that member from Bangor called
Pickard.
Mr.. Pickard disclaimed any intention of
giving the lie to the gentleman from Ft. Kent
He simply meant to say that the gentleman
was misinformcd.
Mr.. PIcKARD then withdrew his motion to
postpone and the bill was passed to be en-
crossed.