The Portland daily press., 1885-01-09

! B I
Ns s1Pf Hampshire. 1Y Y7S 5 SB5 mGnths
Vermont. ,......64 9.55 e.37 :.
Rhoas 1s1ssd 64 1899 1899 s94
Connecticut .....s.61 1855 $50
The percent of attendance4 as compared with
the average expenditure per scholar, aud the
length of the school year. shows a rigid econo-
my praeticed by those expanding the funds en-
trusted to to their care, and healthy educa-
tional interest among the scholars of the State.
Our State shourd endeavor to help fit ont our
teachers for their work that they may be en-
Outraged 10 make teaching profession, in.
stead OF stepping stone to some other occupa-
ton. The normal schools have been potent
influence in securing to the schools better
class OF teachers, and 1t is to be deplored that
Maine cannot offer graduates as attractive
salaries as other States do, that their services
may be retained where they are so much need
ed. By careful inqniry and from reliable
statistics, am able to state that threeaquarters
OF the amount of teaching done BY the normal
graduates from our own schools has been done
in Maine, and nearly one-half has been given
to the ungraded schools, and the 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 favorable re-
ports of the efficiency of their teachers, and
the scholarly attachments of pupils. The full
report of the work done by these graduates is
included In the report OF the State Supsrin-
tondent OF Schools for 1888 would recon-
mend that the appr0 priations of the last ses-
sion be continued.
FREE HIGH SCHOOLS.
The total amount expended for free high
schools during the year 1884 has been $99, 3d.
%, of which amount the State has paid SOL
$685., which was distributed among 1923 cities
and towns, for educating 1851 pupils in the
higher branches.
These schools of the State have also been
influential in securing better corps Of teach
ers, and even In this respect alone have proved
the wisdom OF the State in providing for their
maintenance as part of the public school
system. By their establishment tho lower
schools have been relieved of a class of scbol-
ars that had passed beyond the proper limits
of work in those schools, and many of the
students attending the free high schools are
encouraged to continue their studies after leav-
ing 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 this improvement of the common
schools are the securing OF better instruction
uniformity OF textbooks, more systematic
work, and the abolition OF the district system
The needs and effects OF these changes are
carefully discussed ia his annual report to be
laid before you, and ale worthy of thoughtful
legislation.
DEAF. DUMB AND n1IND
Every application for benefit from the public
appropriation in aid OF the education of the
deal, dumb and blind of our State has been
honored, and no one of this unfortunate class
is denied the privilege of being instructed in
the common branches of an education, and, in
many instances, in the essentials of a suitable
trade for future livelihood. The State owes
every child within its borders an education.
and this class enlists the tendsrest sympathy OF
humanity. The several institutions and schools
which are patronzed by the State, are the best
in the country, aud our boys and girls are
among the most advanced scholars, and appear
TO be contented and happy, and are. making
great improvement. The following table gives
such information as the public lnay desire to
know:
No. of Maine Amount paid
Name of Institution. Beneiciaries. for 1854
Portland School for Deaf...4i Sc $50 25
American Asy lum for Deaf..2l 3 685.2l
Perkins Institute for Blind. .16 4.225.00
otal.-...................7s Sl4, 8e6. 4e
Total amount appropriated by the State
for Deaf, Dumb AMI Blind. .....,... 100000
Amount of deficiency ............... $500.
The whole number of State beneiciaries of
the deaf dumb and blind during the current
year Is seventy -6iEn6J ana the deficiency in the
appropriation for the year is owing to the in
crease in the number of such benefcaries
over those OF last year. About ST. 600 of the
appropriation of 1888. not having been drawn
within that veal, Elapsed into the State treasury,
and some existing indebtedness of last year
has been paid from this years appropriation.
There are many deaf and dumb children in
the State not at present attending any instita-
tion, and the applications from such cases are
on the increase. 1t cannot De doubted that it
IS wise policy upon the part OF the State to use
every means to gather up aud educate this un-
fortunate class OF its people, and the appro-
priation for such henefciaries should be- in
creased to $4,000 for the coming year, as that
amount is very sure to be needed.
The pupils in the Portland school appear to
bs making great advancement, and it is be-
coming popular institution among our people.
The amount allowed by the State for each
pupil is $I75 year, which does not pay the
expense of their education, and where there ia
number of deaf mutes in any family the ex-
cess 10 be paid By the parents or guardians be-
comes burdensome, and 1 would therefore
recommend a change OF the law to meet such
cases.
STATE PENSIONS.
The laws OF the State make it Incumbent
upon the Governor and Council to distribute
an annual appropriation for disabled soldiers
and seameD. Ii is proper appreciation of
the valuable public services of the needy and
LhFdttu cOiOloE WnO IOuSnG On lAnQ and sea
for our country and homes. It is debt we
owe, and let us never neglect loyal obedience
10 duty in providing for the Suffering wants of
the soldiers family; a sao1ed promise made
and reiterated at the time when the voun-
teers went forth to endure the sacrifices of the
tented field, the hospital, the prison houss
and the shock of battle.
The appropriation for 1883 and 1884 was
S20 GOO for each year. During the year 1883
$l9. ol94 40 was carefully paid out to 571 State
pensioners, as follows, viz: To 2S3 invalids,
l6S widows, SO mothers, 81 fathers, nine guard
ians of adult and orphan children, and one
dependent sister. The number OF applications
disallowed in 1883 for want OF sufficient evil
dence, and not coming within the provisions
OF the law, was 234. During the wear 1884
the number OF applications received was 742
Inc number making application for the first
time was l40, and OF the total, 225 do not re-
oeive United States pensions. The appropria-
tlon OF 1884 was exhausted. [ find on exam
lnaSion OF the books of the offioe that thenum-
Der OF applications received from year to year
mas varied but little during the past ten years,
Many of the old cases hold on, some drop ont.
but new ones readily take their places. 1t is
now nearly twenty years since the war CLOSED.
and but few soldiers are under the age of 40
and some are upwards of co. Another score of
years Will remove from human sight nearly all
the familiar faces of those who have immort-
allied the Army of the Republic and saved
this Nation, and soon approaching generations
will be acquainted with the victories and de-
Teats OF the last war only as written on tie
page of history. Let our own generosity. as
5he fruit of personal observation, be the source
Of future commendation, for the opportunity
of aiding the distressed but worthy veterans
9 fast passing away. AS age creeps on, the
disease contracted or the Injury received by
he veteran In the service of his country nat
lrally increases and the soldier who had the
seeds Of disease soWn in his system during his
exposure to a southern climate is now feeling
ts increasing effects. The soldiers widow.
who has barely supported and educated her
family without assistance, is now in many in
stances restricted or enfeebled by age The
State gives those needy cases from ST. to SIS
per month, the average being about 49, |
ind from information received from many
sources that the small amounts thus distribute
ID go great way and keep many a soldier,
widow, dependent mother and father from
suffering and from the house Of public charity,
l recommend that the appropriation be made
sufficiently large to meet all cases of distress;
ibis will probably require an amount larger
han the appropriation of last year.
FISH AND GAME.
The exercise of the authority of the State in
its fish and game, has required an
annual appropriation of 81 800, which in Sc
lies OF years aggregates large sum, The re-