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

vate confidence. Inere are forty INTEREST,"
Ing children within its walls, well cared
for, clothed, and being educated at the city
schools. By reason of the small number OF
inmates, each year decreasing, the expense
to the State is large for each child. IL Is a
question for the Legislature 10 consider,
whether the unoccupied departments could
be utilized for other orphans of the State,
so as to enlarge It's sphere OF usefulness
and its open doors wider, to the interests
OF humanity.
MAINE GENERAL HOSPITAL
This institution has great claims on pub
lie and private charity every man. woman
snd child of understanding, should be in-
terested in its success. IL is not consid-
cred to be a strictly charitable institution,
but statistics show that large proportion
OF the patients are entirely free, while there
is still another class who pay only part
OF the expense. Since ISIS more than
one-hslf OF the work OF the hospital has
been for free patients. But the charity OF
the institution is not limited to that class,
IS few OF the paying patients pay more
than s. per week, while the cost To the
hospital during the last four years averages
more than $40 per weex. When We con-
attendance at home, s. per week would
seem 10 be a small sum. IL Is not local
charity, for reports show that every year
nearly every county il represented Aside
from the State appropriations, three
fOurths OF the contributions are received
from Portland people; this does not ap
pear from reports except a. contributions
for free beds; less than Oue-eighth OF the
relief il furnished % Portland people. The
fund is small, being only so, 600. Durit =
the past year the total expenses have been
less than $4,000. The cost OF keeping up
the house would not be much affected by
an increase OF patients. The Institution i
under the best management. snd We trust
that the Legislature will not fail to grant
It's usual appropriation for this worthy
object.
DEAF. DUMB AND BLIND.
The institution at Hartford, Connecti-
Gu, furnishes adequate provision Tor the
education OF the deaf mutes Of our State,
and the learning hy them Of suitable trades
The faithful care and instruction bestowed
on the pupils OF this institution ar. com
mendable, and warrant the continued sup
port OF the State. The school for the deaf
in the city of Portland i worthy Of com
mendation. TIE progress that has been
made by those who have awaited themselves
OF a hone Institution. where the srticultt-
ing method j. u,rd, i remarkable. Thi~
school i worthy Of patronage. The un-
fortunate blind children OF our S,~te arr
educated al public expense, AZ the Perkins
In titutiou for the Blind AZ l>tnn. The
advantages OF that iusti;u-iOn arr un~ur-
passed There j. no lack OF financial
means 20 furnish all ueei-d appliances, IN
books ami school apparatus, and every
comfort Is furnished. would recommend
that the appropriation Of last year be
continued.
STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC CHARITIES
I call your attention % the fact that
many States sdvOcate and enjoy the utility
and advantage that result from a comp
tent board of meu and women. who are
Delegated with a general official oversight
OF State institutions Of r. fnrmatory and
penal character. There are IN every State
citizens OF high chssrct-r aud attachments
and imhued with a spirit Of philanthropy
and humanity. who are willing % serve
the public iG these great interests without
pecuniary reward. In our Sjste there may
n
prison. rails and reform school good
result depends largely upon the character
OF such a board The progress 90 reforms
which has been secured by experience.
study and research. u properly applied aud
used, would undoubtedly still elevate the
moral and intellectual character OF our iu-
situations, and benefit their financial m4u-
sgement.
TIE COLLEGE OF Agriculture AND Ma
CuANIC ARTS.
commend this institution aud il, re-
ports 10 your special interest aud att-n-
ton. IL has gained largely upon public
confidence in Consequence OF WHIST IL has
done for the State. IL has received the
fostering care Of the general government
and OF our own State. and - claim,
should be asserted until it~ efficiency for
permanent usefulness j. fully appreciated.
secured sud established IL supplements
our common system sud sifIrds az oppOr-
tuuity for a more thorough and practical
education OF those who Intend q follow
farming or mechanics A. a business. IL i
4 college for the people. and should receive
popular support. IL stil needs assistance
in the purchase OF shop aud apparatus
for the necessary development and cOltiu-
uSnCe OF the department Of practical me-
chanics. With such aid am assured the
institution will recover from the loss OF
numbers Occa>ioncd by charging tuitition.
The college still needs the fostering care
Of the legislature, and rests is claim on
its faith In the promise o. the state. when
she accepted the grant OF land from lh-
National Government establishing The col
lege. The endowment : Sl3- 500. yitldin.
An annual revenue OF $500 The tuition
the past year has amounted - 5000 Thi-
Is all the revenue the past year. In con~e-
quence % the abandonment ut free tuition
the numbers Og scholars has been reduced
from LOO 20 -. The General Government.
IL is expected. will render further sS>i>t-
ance, and whsteyer i necessary % be done
10 sustain the college i worthy OF your
prompt and generous consideration.
The MILITIA.
Under the laws our military force il CON-
posed OF the enrolled, the reserve and the
volunteer militia. The enrolled miIti.
consists OF sll able bodied male citizeus be-
tween eighteen snd forty-fvs years % aye.
as returned by municipal Ofiirrrs. rumbpr.
ing 81 .320. The reserve militia i organ
lied. furnished with arms and equipments.
but Is OF no expense 10 the state unless
ordered on duty by the commsud-r-iu-
chief The volunteer force, consisting OF
two regiments OF eight companies each.
and one unattached company OF idfantry
and one fOur-guD battery OF light artillery
remains substantially a. II was two years
ago. The whole force i Orgsnizet into
one division, commanded by Gu. JoShus
L. Chsmberlsin, who has been un,iriug in
bis Efforts 20 bring the militia OF Maine up
20 a high standard OF excellence. To hi
efforts. seconded by the stsf regimental
and line officers, large portion Of whom
have seen service on the sauguinary fields
OF their country in the late war. We are
Indebted for the efficiency and high char
acter OF the militia OF Msiue, which kss
been highly cOmplimented nv an officer OF
the regular army detailed 10 attend the
last annual review.