Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-02-10

charge but In the end are best for the real
good of the people.
The burdens Of taxation press heavily
upon the people. Every species of prop
erty, whether owned by individuals or cor
porations, should bear its part OF the pub
| Tic burden. submit whether there should
not be some more definite system OF tax
alton In regard to railroad companies, and
the express aud telegraph companies should
pay revenue to the State where not now
provided for by law. II there Is any prop
erty In the State not yet reached by the
tax gatherer, or which does not bear its
proportionate part, II Is your province to
ascertain this fact and make such changes
| in the laws rs may be necessary. The
strictest economy should be practiced In
all the departments of the State, and II
there are any unnecessary State expenses
II Is your duty to cut them of.
STATE VALUATION.
The decennial valuation of the State
comes before you as one of the must i'm.
portant questions upon which you are
called to act. Many, II not all the mem
bers OF the Legislature have been selected
| by their constituencies with special refer
ence 10 this matter. II n commission can
be selected nj once to act in conjunction
with the Legislature. have no doubt this
work SO vital to every part OF the State
can be well advanced during the present
session. It for the interest OF the State
that the work OF valuation should be COM
mcnced at once.
BIENou SESSIONS.
The constitution has been so amended
81 ,,r nj .la.ttnna and tho sessions
of the Legislature are changed 10 biennial
elections and sessions. The duty will de-
yolye upon you TO examine the laws In
regard Ia the tenure OF office OF many OF
our county and State officers, and 10 make
such changes as may be necessary so that
the laws will conform 10 the constitution
as amended.
EDUCATION.
In a nation like ours where the source of
all power Is in the people, universal educa-
ton Is the surest guaranty OF good govern
ment. The prosperity and moral standing
OF State depend upon the intelligence OF
It's people. Education liits up the masses
and gives all classes n chance In the battle
or life. II gives self-reliance and indepen.
dcnce of action, while ignorance causes
weakness and dependence. Here where ey-
cry man has just Is many rights a. every
other man and liberties better than those
enjoyed by any other people, he has the re-
sponsibllity resting upon him commcnsu-
rate with those rights and liberties OF being
Obliged To help shape the government un-
der which he lives. Other republics have
felt the dangers which result from the want
of general education, where corrupt and
ambitious men play upon the prejudices OF
the ignorant our hope Is In the intelligence
of the people. This fabric OF constitution
al government depends for its prepctuity
upon universal education. To secure this
result We rely chiefly upon our common
school system, with our State, county,
town and school district organizations,
each OF itself miniature republic. The
last is very important factor in our sys-
TEN of government aud the district schools
demand the earnest support aud protection
OF the people. They educate the people
and should prepare them to well MI the Of
fee OF citizenship. Money raised for their
support il appropriated for the advahce-
meut OF general knowledge. " We pro-
grcsS in civilization, ar, aud science adj
Vance and the mind OF man reaches ont 10
grasp the truths which make him more a
schools become greater under the immuta-
BILE demands OF progress. We are yearly
acquiring more fully knowledge of the rea-
sons of inferiority n well as ofsupcriority
OF citizenship, and are beginning 10 know
that the common schools through which
the masses move Is the lever that may raise
our State, our nation 10 that projection OF
political existence where universal intclli-
81, al 70 Of
pie. II there il any fault in our schoo! sys-
TEN II Is that the district schools Go not
meet more fully the wants of u general ed
ucation. They should furnish opportunl-
ties not only FOR primary and intermediate
studies, hut systematic course that will
prepare the pupil for the business OF life 30
that the poor mans child may have, with
out extra expense, many 81 Tue school adj
van,ages now enjoyed only by those IN more
favored circumstances. The common
school system OF our State l. among the
the best in the Union. Wemay well speak
with pride ofthe intelligence ofour people,
but aS great improvements haze teea made
In the past In this particular so may great
progress he made in the future. While
schools of . higher order call for your care
fui consideration, leave II for your good
judgement 10 protect and encourage the
common schools OF the State.
NORMAL SCHOOLS
There are now Ia successful operation
three Normal schools, enough for all the
wants of the state. All the expense Incl
dent 10 their establishment has been paid.
They are institutions of the state and were
designed specially for the education OF
- h.ir In
structions are becoming marked in our
common schools. They are institutions
worthy the patronage and support OF the
people, and while would not advocate
the establishment or others, II appears TO
me that the interests OF the state are best
subserved BY carefully protecting those we
have, by making them what IL was orig
inally designed they should be.
FREE HIGH SCHOOLS.
These schools were Intended 10 meet
demand not supplied by the common
schools, academies or normal schools.
The best information gathered from all
parts of the state shows that this system
OF schools has not proved all that was
hoped for it. The law appropriatlng money
for their support was suspended in 1879 for
one year. The people have considered the
advantages and disadvantages OF the sys-
TEN. and leave it for you, their represen-
tatives, to carry out their wishes.
STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.
The report for the year 1879 of the State
College Of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts
shows careful and economical manage
ment of this institution in all its depart
ments. 1t does not, and should not inter-
fere with other colleges. II was designed
by its special applications to reach class
who intend TO follow the avocations of az
griculture and mechanics, and to furnish
a nroc.;c,l nducation IN many who would