The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-09
to whom the State is greatly indebted for its
Efficient military nrraniza


efficient military organization.
The two yearly encampments at Augusts
since our last session were well attended, and
the several reports of experienced army Off
GERS who were present speak fayorably of the
military discipline and efficiency in the school
of the soldier, displayed by the several COM
panies.
The expense of providing for the military
arm of the State may appear large, but by close
comparison, we find it falls short of that of
other States, of less population and valuation,
and in no case are we excessive in expenditure.
Our military expenditure for 1888 was
$l5,974.46 for 963 officers and men; cost per
man, $l6.59. For the same year the State of
New Hampshire expended $25,000 for l194
officers and men; cost per man, $21.S0.
Massachusetts, $14l,S36.l9 for 1892 officers
and men; cost per man, $36.44. Rhode
Island $4,000 for 1894 officers and men
cost per man, $20.90.
In our country the sentiment of the people
is opposed to large standing army; it is
therefore more important for our permanent
security that there should always be a nucleus
of defence in a volunteer organization. The
citizen soldier of our volunteer
militia should be SO efficient
in military science, that in the hour of
danger, he may be able to impart to raw re-
cruits that essential knowledge which proved
so valuable in the recent war. Military edu-
cation and discipline should be encouraged by
every patriotic citizen of the State. The day
of wars is not over, history will sooner or later
repeat itself, and there is no immunity from
foreign or internal foes.
MAINE STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND
MECHANIC ARTS.
The claims of this college for continued
public support may well rest upon its merits,
and what it has done for the State. 1t has
graduated 206 students. Of this number who
are in active business, l l per centum only are
engaged in the So called professional pursuits,
while SO per centum are engaged in varied in
dustries, in which agriculture and mechanical
pursuits are well represented Quite num-
Der of students have been, heretofore,
connected with the college, whose
means, unfortunately, were not ade-
quate to complete a full course of study.
The generosity of the State has lessened the
burdens of such, and of many graduates from
industrial homes, who have been ambitious,
but could not otherwise acquire the necessary
knowledge to become skillful in the practical
pursuits of life. The whole number of students
who have enjoyed the advantages Of this insti-
tuition is 532, which does not include 80
institution has received from the State 5000, ,3IS,
and there has been expended on grounds,
buildings apparatus, stock, etc., $3.50, 900
The appropriations from the State for current
expenses have been less than $500 per an
mum. The State of Michigan, like our own
State, has taken deep interest in its Agricul-
tural College, and has appropriated during the
past twenty eight years for it S609,833 in
cash, or $21, ,7S0 per annum. OF this sum
about $11 900, has been required annually for
current expenses. This comparison might be
extended; but it would simply show what
other States are doing, and perhaps should be
stimulus, as far as our own means will per-
init, for our State to do likewise. The receipts
from the endowment fund and tuition are not
sufficient to meet the expenses Of instruction
and the many and necessary current expenses
of the institution. The State will be obliged
to take care of this deficiency in order to pre-
serve this valuable institution for the advanced
education Of young men and women of the
industrial classes. The trustees will ask the
legislature for additional appropriations to en-
large and increase the facilities for imparting
instruction in the essential departments of the
college. This is college for the people, and
should receive popular support, and | would
urge that the State give the institution liberal
appropriation. 1t is gaining in public conf
dence, represents an important place in our
system of popular education, and should be
strong and progressive in all its points. /
commend to your careful attention the several
reports Of the college.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
The Industrial School for Girls at Hallowell
is no longer an experiment. Its practical eff
cheney as the means of rescuing from evil and
placing in the way of improvement a class of
helpless individuals, thereby subscribing the
interest of the State, has been so conclusively
demonstrated, that to neglect to care for it by
necessary financial aid would be unwise and
improvident. Among all our reformatory and
humane institutions, there is none which
shows more substantial results OF is supported
by more economic and common sense reasons.
By series Of tests and experience in various
States of the Union and in other countries,
the good influence of these industrial homes
on the young girls who enjoy their advantages,
is conceded by thoughtful legislators and
humane citizens.
For some time the single building of the
Maine school has been over crowded by in
mates, and new demands for admission have
had to be refused. This makes necessary an
other edifce. The State, by its laws, provides
for sending to this School specific class of
persons. The law, in this respect cannot be
obeyed unless the institution has the requisite
accommodations to receive them.
The claim that the unfortunate girls of our
State have upon public charity is certainly
equal to that of the boys of the same character,
who have been so literally provided for by the
State Private benevolence from time to time
had been enlisted for this institution, and not
for the other, and during the past year an
earnest appeal for aid has been made by its
trustees and friends and thereby about 81, 900
have been secured. This in addition to the
$l3,500 contributed from private sources and
expended on buildings now in use. The new
private subscription has been used, under the
direction of the trustees, to build the founda-
tons, walls and roof. and to finish the ex-
terror of a substantial edifce of granite and
brick. When the new home shall have been
completed and organized Maine will have a
humane and educational institution for the pres
ent and future generations, of which the State
may bejustly proud, The first building was erect
ed ten years since byprivate aid and the grant of
an equal amount Of financial assistance by the
State. would, therefore, recommend that the
legislature give the subject due consideration,
and that the necessary sum to complete and
furnish the new edifce be appropriated, which
can be but little larger than the amount private
individuals have already contributed for the
purpose.
REFORM SCHOOL.
The affairs of the Reform School are under
efficient management, and are administered
with commendable discretion and fidelity The
teaching appears to be thorough and practical,
both in the school room and workshop.
The health of the boys for the past two
years has been remarkably good. The average
number in the school has been about 100. No
obligation imposed upon the State is more sa-
cred, and no one should be more cheerfully
performed, than the care, education and ref
ormation of the youth who have taken their
first steps in crime, almost entirely by the
force of circumstances or inherited tendencies.
1t is earnestly hoped that the finances of the
State will allow all necessary means and ap-
propriations for the full and complete devel-
opment of our reformatory system and
institutions. so essential to the in
mates and to the welfare of the State. The
law of the last legislature, providing fol
the establishment and maintenance of me-
chanical department at the reform school, in
which boys can be instructed, has been COM
piled with, under the direction of committee
of the executive council. Instruction in thi.
department commenced December 21, 1888
under the charge Of a competent mechanic, in
a building erected for the purpose, judiciously
equipped with benches, tools and machinery
and capable of accommodating twenty-f -fom
Io,-e frba raeulfc and tba ,,ood,