Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-05

eb1sinued fkom first page.)
> broad end dignifed national character.
Let ~ be true to the interest that feeds and
clothes us. gives life. motion and business tn
the commercial world, for its importance
overshadows all other interests. May we
not introduce as one of the purposes Of the
agricultural department of the State College.
Q plan whereby there shall be a closer and
more advantageous connection between the
college and the farmer? The people desire
to know what is accomplished by way Of ex-
pertinent. That agriculturalist is far behind
the car Of progress. who has no belief or
confidence in experimental agriculture. Pri-
vate enterprise is supporting agricultural
experimental stations with signal success,
and few States are doing the same. As the
result, pure seeds and unauthorized fertili-
zers are sold and distributed, silos and
ensilaze better understood, the interest in
raising the best farm stock of all kinds is in
creased, the treatment of diseases of animals
made q subject of investigation, information
obtained in regard 70 the prevention of the
ravages Of insects, soils are analysed
TO ascertain what elements need to be
supplied, experiments are made as TO the
best mode Of cnltivating the staple products
Of our State. All these form the
basis Of scientific agriculture. The
Republic Of France appropriates s20,-
s34.4lO for agricultural purposes; Prussia,
81, 6l2, $40; Russia. sl4, 1876, ls4; and even
Sweden, with An area not larger than the
State Of California, sG5l, 737. The United
States only appropriates sl7+, sss to foster
the productive interests Of fine entire country.
wonld suggest that arrangements be made
so that the farm of the State College, under
the direction Of the Professor of Agriculture
and Chemistry, be used. as far as practicable.
for the upbuilaing and protecting Of the agri-
cultural interests of the State, as an expert
mental station, and I would recommend q
more general diffusion of experimental knowl-
edge through the medium of circulars and
bulletins, and, if necessary, that appropria-
tons be made for the purpose.
COMMERCE.
1t is gratifying fact that shipbuilding ha.
been revived in Maine, and that the enter
prise and ability of the sbipbuiders of our
State are commanding nearly the entire bus
mess of the country in building wooden
vessels. But one ship has been built outside
OF Maine during the past year on the entire
Atlantic coast. The energy and capacity Of
the citizens of Bath have restored to that city
its former importance. Their ship yard,
furnish over two-thirds Of the ship tonnage OF
the State and nation. Important questions
affecting shipbuilding and ship owners are
before Congress, which will receive the care
full consideration of our delegation The
result will deeply affect our future prosperity.
The merchant marine OF foreign countries
under less restriction and more liberal law,
than our own, has an easy competition with
American vessels. We are the greatest ex-
with foreign nations should be modified, bur.
dens removed, and such protection afforded
as will restore our commerce and protect u.
in all the advantages that legitimately belong
to a great and powerful nation.
have noted thus far the general statistic.
Of the census showing the solid growth of the
State. in order to refute somewhat preva
lent impression that Maine is not prosperou.
and vigorous commonwealth. | rcpel thu
hippant insinuations that Maine is goot
State to emigrate from. Its prosperity dem
onstrates that it is one Of the best of State,
in which to live. l congratulate you, gen
tleman, that all her interests were never more
prosperous and her future was never NOR,
promising than it is to-day.
EDUCATION.
We find by recent tabulation of the ma
tons illteracy that our own State occupie,
an advanced position in the matter of publ,
intelligence. While New Mexico shows
population in which co., per cent canno
read, and several States furnish deplorabl,
record, Maine shows an inability to read o.
only 3.5 per cent, their being but four State,
that show less number. Intelligence is al
essential element of public prosperity. and i
1t does not secure, promotes industry. econ
omy and morality. Where these are wanting
long continued prosperity is impossible. In
telligence, then. must be made universal.
it is partial. class distinctions will arise, tn,
equality Of man before the law will be en-
dangered and the fundamental idea of fire.,
institutions will be made impossible. Tt
secure this intelligence of our citizens, tn,
State has instituted directly a system of pub
lie schools, and indirectly, by its encourage
ment and aid, q system Of private instruction
for higher education. This system received
in substance from the parent Commonwe altl
Of Massachusetts has been somewhat modified
in form to meet the exigencies of changing cir
cumstances. II comprises the '.Commot
Schools, the Free High Schools, the ''Nor
NAL Schools" and the Agricultural College
these constitute the public part of the system
The State expended for the support of this sys
TEN of public education. during the year end
ing April L, 1851, S5bo,b!.. An interest whiCi
demands so large yearly expenditure. i,
worthy of the careful legislation of the rep
resentatives Of this State. That the expen
diture is not unduly large is shown by tn,
following facts: First, that Maine i,
the twenty first in rank according to the
length of schools while it is the thirty-third
State in regard TO wages paid, only five pay
ing less. May it not be well to inquir,
whether a more liberal expenditure ever
would not promote the material prosperity o
the State II it be true that industry anC
ECONOMY rest on intelligence. and that skill
ed labor. the most potent factor in producing
wealth, also rests on intelligence, is it not ap
parent that to secure the advance Of the Stat,
in prosperity, it must be advanced in educa
ton ?The carrying on ofthis school system EN-
ploys6. 500 teachers, whose fitness for thei
work determines largely whether the annua
expenditure for schools does or does not yiel,
the greatest possible returns to the State
One-third of these teachers enter the schools
without experience or special training. Lik,
unskilled workers in every other department o
labor. they waste time and materials. an,
prove Improbable. To prevent this los
the State has established three norma
schools. That special normal and train
ing schools for the professional preparation
Of teachers, are recognized by all civilize,
States rs an essential element of sound edu
cational progress, 10 shown by the fact tina
In, fha ZION, NJ Eurnvx, tbare nv.