Daily Kennebec journal., 1880-03-12
Legislative Proceedings.
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school, thus nearly supplying this deficiency.
II you decide to abolish or suspend for any
length Of time the high school the grade Of
instruction must certainly be lowered. for it
10 not to be expected that any teacher can
educate scholars quite up to his own standard
Of education.
II 10 claimed by some opposed to this bill
that the small towns are taxed for that from
which they receive no benefit. II must be
remembered, however, that the school mill
tar draws quite largely from cities and large
towns for the benefit of small towns. Many
small towns draw more money from the
State treasury than their State mill tax
amounts to. The amount Of mill and free
High school tax paid by small towns is $751;
152; the amount drawn bv same towns is
e9s, ,223. The amount Of mill and free High
school tax paid by large towns is Sl77, 1863 !;
the amount drawn by large towns is Sl6l,
9s7.
The amount of State tax on account Of
free High schools in towns having same, is
s25. .767, the amount paid by same towns Is
835, ,S2s. Thus 1t will be seen that while the
towns having free High school, receive
10000 more than they pay out, in conse.
Quence of il. the small towns receive Sli, 900
more than they pay out in consequence of the
them to say that this law is unjust.
There are but few laws that bear with equal
justice, and while the free High schools af-
ford education to 55 per cent. of our popu-
lation, large majority of our towns are
taxed to support institutions from which they
have never received any benefit as for in
stance Reform Schools aud Orphan Asylums /:
but 10 that any more n reason that we should
not support them; and are they not, like the
free High schools for the general good9
Education is not of local benefit but should
be general, and the property of our State
should pay for the education of our children
Last year, the year Of rctrenchmcnt
and reform. the legislature did not
dare to repeal this BILL but voted to sus-
pend IL for one year. And now, sir. the pco-
pie Of the State expect and demand that
however economical we may be in other
matters, we shall not cripple education.
This, Mr.. President; regard as the most
important appropriation yet before us and al
though the appropriation for uniforming the
militia, and other appropriations are proper
and right vet no man can afford to 20 home
to his constituents with the record that he
has voted for any of those appropriations and
against the appropriation for education.
Mr.. Ellis believed in the thorough educa-
tion Of the people; but when v pass beyond
the realm of the common school. YOU have no
right TO tax the people to give any one lib
eral education. This law does not bear at ali
equally. Not one in twenty of the pupils Of
the State can avail themselves of its advan-
tAges. A certain class have certain notions
about educational matters. and are ready to
denounce all who do not come up TO their
notions As opposed to education. lie did not
believe in the principle of taxing property to
give more than common school education
These Free High Schools were simply exper-
iments, and they have proved partial failures.
and, as q whole, were not satisfactory to the
people Of the State.
Mr.. PArrwN said that only about onc-eight-
teenth Of the scholars ever attended these free
High schools. He knew that his portion of the
State is opposed to this bill. This bill will
take about sSs zoo from the Treasury. This
10 an unjust measure to take money to edu-
cate rich mems children.
Mr.. BERRY said he was opposed to the
free High school law. lie was for bringing
our common schools to the highest possible
standard, but not for going further. and TAX
ing the money from the peoples pockets to
give q liberal education TO any one. But he
should be compelled TO vote for the bill. for
without its passsage the old bill would come
in force, and that had many Objectionable fca-
lures.
Mr.. DEARpoRN said for the same reason
advanced by the Senator from Kenncbec he
was opposed TO the bill. II is class lesisla-
ton. in the interests Of those who do not
need leyislation--in favor of those who need
no favors.
Mr.. wAKKrtELp could not fully understand
how this is class legislation. He thought
with the Superintendent Of common schools.
that Il supplements the work Of the common
school. Il is Legislation in the right direction
In the interest Of the poor, and in the inter
est VI the education Of the masses. II Is
duty we owe ourselves and our constituent.
10 sustain the hill before US, and he wished
20 be recorded in favor Of the bill.
Mr.. HARRIs, said the present bill was free
from many of the objections contained in the
previous bill. The whole amount which thi.
kill peovides fot Is only about 81. Zoo. This
- Yin heacft every email town where q
HiuA School Is established. II would be an
ineeasive and an inducement to continue
Ckelr echools. He did not consider Il unfair
~ ~ cixies TO assist Ia educating the mas.
-. TAe city draws from the country every
y1s 80 tt y capital q good interest in
Yone1ng tAis Woaey in the country towus to
ossiss the young men in Reaing an educa-
ttoa. The republican party has been in pow
q nefe Tor twenty years. and il hes taken
god cara of the interests Of our people, aud
~ eonnoe 1ew a1ord to take seep haek-
waRa i ~ peogFess ve have nkea. III