Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-01-09
While New Mex

1
an inability to read Of only 3.5 per cent
there being but four States that show
less number. Intelligence is an essential
element of public prosperity, and if il
does not secure. promotes industry, econ
omy and morality. Where these ART
wanting long continued prosperity is i'm
possible. Intelligence, then, must be
made universal. If it is partial, class
distictions will arise, the equality Of mar
before the law will be endangered and
the fundamental idea of free institutions
will be made impossible. To secure thi:
intelligence of our citizens, the state has
instituted directly system Of public
schools, and indirectly, by its encourage
ment and aid a system ofprivate instruc-
ton for higher education. This system
received in substance from the parent
common wealth of Massachusetts, has been
somewhat modified in form to meet the
exigencies Of changing circumstances.
Il comprises the Common Schools" and
the Free High Schools" the Normal
Schools" and the Agricultural College
these constitute the public part Of the
system. The State expended for the
support Of this system Of public education,
during the year ending April |, 1881,
1905, 697. An interest which demands
so large a yearly expenditure, is worthy
of the careful Legislation of the represent
atives of this State. That the expendi-
ture i, not undaly large is shown by the
following facts: First, that Maine is
the twenty frss in rank according to tie
length of schools while it is the thirty
third State in regard to wages paid, only
five paying less. May i. not be well to
inquire whether a more liberal expendi-
ture even, would not promote the mate
rial prosperity of the State: II it be true
that industry and economy rest on intel
ligence, and that skilled labor, the most
potent factor in producing wealth, also
rests on intelligence, is il not apparent
that to secure the advance of the State
in prosperity, i. must be advanced in ed
uca,ion. The carrying on of this school
system employs $500 teachers, whose
fitness for their work determines largely,
whether the annual expenditure for
schools does or does not yield the great
est possible returns to the State. One
third of these teachers enter the schools
without experience or special training.
Like unskilled workers in every other de-
partmen, of labor, they waste time and
materials and prove Improbable. To
prevent this loss, the State has establish
ed three normal schools. That special
normal and training schools for the pro-
fessional preparation Of teachers, are rec
ognized by all civilized States as an es-
sential element of sound educational pro-
gress, is shown by the fact that in the
various countries of Europe, there are
seven hundred and eighteen su ch schools
with more than eighty thousand pupils,
and in the United States there are two
hundred and twenty such schools with
more than thirty thousand pupils. That
these schools in our State may fulfill the
purposes for which they were established,
they must be literally supported and fur
nished with appliances to do work OF the
highest excellence. While the schools
in the cities and manufacturing villages
are increasing. more complete in organiz-
alton, and more effective in educating
their pupils by employing better teachers,
the reverse is the case in the agricultural
districts. This accelerates an evil al
ready great; the diminution OF pop
ulation in the agricultural districts,
and the increase in the cities. That
State may be truly prosperous. cities
may grow, but the country must grow
1t is a worthy object Of consideration, to
see whether better facilities for education
in the rural districts would not have some
influence in checking this evil, and If
radical change in the school district sys'
tenn would not give the Advantage sought.
would respectfully refer to the forth
coming report Of the Superintendent o
Common Schools for correct statlstica
information. Its tabulations indicate
more careful and economical manage
ment of the schools, with, at the same
time, a decided improvement IN thei
character as disclosed in better schoo
rooms, more efficient teachings, ant
more vigilant supervision. Looking t.
further and more radical improvement II
these directions, the superintendent vii
recommend legislation to secure a uni
form and more careful examination o
teachers, and a stronger, more perma
nent, and more economical supervision
The measures he will propose, seem
me, practical and worthy Of your favora
bic consideration.
The law regulating the course OF stud
to be pursued in our public schools an
the text books to be used, has, from tim
to time, been changed q meet the grow
ling necessities of our progressive system
1t may not have escaped the notice
many that several Of the States have al
ded to the course of prescribed study,
treatise on the elementary principles
agriculture. The principles therein dis
cussed are Of universal application, an
are interesting and profitable for a
classes, especially so to our prosperity
farmers whose success in agriculture mu
depend largely upon correct knowleds
of its principles as a science. This mai
ter deserves the attention Of those in:e
ested in education, and recommend ii
introduction of such treatise to our IL
of common school text books.
, FINANCES.
II 10 cuatOmary on an occasion lin