Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-09

shire, .76 $ll.76 563
Vermont, .64 1855 637
Massachu-
sets, IA $2OO3 9Of
Rhode Isand.65 $l9.02 921
Connecticut, 81 $le.36 S9l
The per cent of attendance, compared with the
average expenditure per scholar and the length of
the school year, shows rigid economy practced by
those expending the funds entrusted to their care
ars OF the State. Our State should endeavor to help
our teachers for their work that they may be n
couraged to make teaching profession, instead of
a stepping stone to some other occupation. The
normal schools have been potent influence in
securing to the schools better class of teachers,
and it is to be deplored that Maine cannot offer
graduates attractive salaries other States do,
that their services may be retained where they
so much needed. By careful inquiry and from
liable statistics, am able to state that three.
quarters of the amount of teaching done by the
normal graduates from our own schools has been
done in Maine, and nearly one-haf has been given
to the ungrad schools. and larger portion OF this
kind of service has been employed in the schools of
country towns. The Governor and Council have
repeatedly attended the several examinations of our
normal schools, and are able to furnish the most
and the scholarly attachments of pupils. The full
report Of the work done by these graduates is in.
cluded In the report of the State superintendent of
Schools for 1883. l would recommend that the
appropriations of the last session be continued.
FREE HIGH SCHOOLS.
The total amount expended for free high schools
during the year 1884 has been $99,s73.2S, of which
distributed among 1913 cities and towns, for educst-
ing 1881 pupils in the higher branches.
These schools of the State have also been in
fuential in securing better corps of teachers and
even in this respect alone have proved the wisdom
OF the State in providing for their maintenance
past of the public school system. By their estab-
class of scholars that had passed beyond the proper
limits of work in those schools, and many of the
students attending the free high schools are en-
couraged to continue their studies after leaving the
public schools, and so obtain higher education
than they would otherwise secure.
Among the recommendations urged upon school
officers by the State superintendent of Schools for
the improvement OF this common schools are the
securing of better instruction, uniformity of text
books, more systematic work. and the abolition of
the district system. The needs and effects of these
changes carefully discussed in his annual report
to be laid before you, and worthy of thoughtful
legislation.
DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND.
Every application for benefit from. the public
appropriate in aid of the education of the deaf
dumb and blind of our State has been honored, and
no one of this unfortunate class is denied the
of an education, and, in many instances, in the
essentials of suitable trade for future livelihood
The state owes every child within its borders an
education, and this class enlsts the tenderest sym
pathy of humanity. The several institutions and
schools which are patronized by the State are the
best in the country, and our boys and girls are
among the most advanced scholars, and appear to
be contented and happy, and are making great i'm
provement The following table gives such infor-
nation as the public may desire to know:
No. of Maine Amount paid
Name of Institution. Benefciaries. for 1881
Portland School for Deaf Al S695625
American Asylum for
Deaf, 81 3,6S52l
Perkins Institute for
Blind, l6 4225OO
Total. rs $4,ss646
Total amount appropriated by the State
for Deaf, Dumb and Blind, 100000
Amount of deficiency, ss6646
The whole number of State beuefcaries of the
deaf, dumb and blind, during the current wear is
seventy-eight, and the deficiency in the appropria
ton for the year is owing to the increase in the
number of such benefcaries those of last wear
About 81 900 of the appropriation for 1885, not hav
State Treasury, snd some existing Indebtedness of
last year has been paid from this years appropria
ton. There are many deaf and dumb children in
the state not at present attending any institution
and the applications from such are on the in.
crease. 1t cannot be doubted that it is wise policy
upon the part of the state, to use every means to
gather up and educate this unfortunate class OF its
people, and the appropriation for such benefciari
should be increased to $4,000 90 for the coming
year as that amount is very sure to be needed
The pupils In the Portland school appear to be
making great advancement. and 1t is becoming a
popular Institution among our people. The amount
allowed by the State for each pupil Is Sl75 a wear
which does not pay the expense of their education
and where there is number of deaf mutes in any
family the excess to be paid by the parents or
fore recommend change OF the law to meet such
cases.
STATE PENSIONS
The laws of the State make it incumbent upon tho
Governor and Council to distribute an annual sppro
praton for disabled soldiers an seamen II is a
proper appreciation of the valuable public services
OF the needy and invalid soldier who fought on land
and sea for our country and homes. 1t il debt we
owe, and let us never neglect a loyal obedience to
duty in providing TOR the suffering wants of the
soldiers family; a sacred promise made and refer
ated AT the time when the volunteers went forth TO
endure the sacrifices Of the tented field the hospital
the prison house and the shock OF battle
The appropriation for 1888 and 1884 was APO 600 for
each year During the YEAR 1883, $i9,slS.46 was
carefully paid out to ST. State pensioners a. follows
viz: TO 2s3 invalids, 1853 widows 50 mothers ~
fathers, nine guardians of adult and orphan children
and one dependent sister, The number OF appca
tions disallowed in 1883 for want of sufficient evil
law, was 234. During the year 1884 the number Of
applications received was 7f2. The number making
application for the first time was 49, and of the
tots 225 do not receive United States pensions The
appropriation OF 1884 was exhausted. find on ex-
animation of the books of the office that the number
of applications received from year year has varied
but little during the past ten years. Many of the
old cases hold on, some drop out bat new ones read
lily lake their places. 1t is now nearly twenty vears
since The closed and but few soldiers are under
the age of 10 and some upwards of co. Another
score OF years will remove from human sight nearly
all the familiar faces of those who have immortal
lied the Army of the Republic and saved this Nation
and soon approaching generations will be scquaint.
ed with the victories and defeats of the last war only
erosty as the fruit of personal observation be the
source OF future commentator, for the opportunity
OF aiding the distressed but worthy veterans is fast
passing away. AS age creeps on, the disease con.
service of his country naturally increases, and the
soldier VINO had the seeds of the disease sown in his
system during his exposure to a southern climate is
now feeling its increasing effects. The soldiers
widow, who has barely supported and educated her