Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-13

of her sister States in the culture OF her
teachers, it is q fact to be deplored that in the
matter of remuneration to these faithful ones
she is in the rear of nearly all.
The whole expenditure for public schools
for the year was 81 ,086 1894, slight decrease
over the preceding year. Value OF pubic
school property, So, OFT 1896, an advance OF
nearly 900.
Public opinion, headed by State Superin.
tendent Luce, seems to be turning eagerly
towards the township system of schools. Six
new townships were formed during the year.
The public school system of the State in
cludes primary, intermediate, grammar, high,
normal, reformatory and industrial schools !;
and by a recent act of the Legislature makes
provision for the instruction of deaf mutes in
the Asylum at Hartford. Conn. or in the Port
land School for the Deaf, as parents may
elect.
A law entitled San act relating to Scien-
tifc Temperance Instruction in Public
Schools" makes it the duty of the proper
school officers to provide for instructing all
pupils in all public schools in physiology and
hygiene, with special reference to the effects
Of alcoholic drinks, stimulants and narcotics
upon the human system; and no certificate
can be granted since July 1885, to any per-
son to teach in any public school in the State,
without being properly qualified to give such
instruction.
The law provides that children between
the ages of 9 and Is years must attend some
school at least IL weeks in each year, unless
excused for cause BY the proper school Of
fcers.
Augusta, the capital city of the State, with
a population Gin 1880 of 1865. had, in 1884
So, school population of 1926 of whom,
| ,2S9 were enrolled in public schools and
97l 10 average daily attendance, under AZ
teachers. The supervisor of the city schools
calls for needed repairs to school houses.
more efficient supervision, and recommends
that the district system be abolished.
BY an annual appropriation of Sl9 900, the
State maintains 3 normal schools, at Castine,
and Gorham, the largest aggre-
gate attendance being 344, and SO were
graduated. The Madawaska Training School,
also under State control. reported its largest
enrolment in l884-85 the number being IA,
Of whom 36 were young men Practice teach
ing enters into the public school system of
Portland, and the normal department of
the Maine Central Institute offers course of
normal instruction covering one wear.
higher education is provided in Bowdoin Col
ege, Brunswick, under Congregational in
Huence; Bates College, Lewiston, Free
Baptist. and Colby University, Waterville,
Baptist. The first named is for young mel
only; the others admit both sexes to equal
privileges These institutions are all of a
very high order, with full classical courses
Of four years, leading to the degree of A. B.
and A. NJ. For admission each requires a
preliminary examination, Colby offering pre-
paratory studies and Bowdoin an academcal
course.
Bowdoin received in the year gift of
so 900; Bates one of SO 900, and Colby two,
aggregating S50,225 For the superior in
struction of young women, the Maine
Wesleyan Seminary and Female College,
Kent's Hill, and St Catharines Hall,
are reported.
The State provides for the scientific in
structi of its sons in the Maine State Col
lege of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts,
Orono, in five full courses of study of four
years each, in agriculture, science and litera-
ture. chemistry, civil and mechanical engi-
neerng; each course leading to its appro-
pirate degree. For practical application of
this training, the college has $40 acres of
land valuable scientific apparatus, a library
of 5000 volumes, and three well-equipped
machine shops. The college received during
the wear. from Hon. Abner Coburn, ex-Gov-
of 800, 600 for gen raj purposes, of which
the interest alone can be used.
Theology is taught in the Bangor TIL olog-
ica Seminary (Congregational.) as well as
in Bates College. Besides the medical de-
partment of Bowdoin College, the Port and
School for Medical Instruction, and the Ec-
ectic Medical College of Maine, Lewiston,
provides the necessary instruction of this
class.
The State Reform school, Cape Elizabeth,
near Portland, receives delinquent boys, 8 TO
l6 years of age, and provides for their moral,
educational and industrial training The
school reported ll2 boys, OF whom "a were
received during the year.
The Maine Industrial school for girls.
Hallowell, under the management of a pri
waite corporation. is designed for refuge for
girls to Is years of age. The school was
organized in 1875, since which time, 1877 girls
have found a home here, of which number
A. were in the school in 1885 The girls are
taught the common school branches, and such
industries may make them useful and
in the world. This, as well
as the reform school, is provided with fine
buildings, substantial, and ample in room.
general resume of the educational ad-
advantages of all classes indicates no
excuse Tor the sons ana daughters OF the
Old Pine State to 90 beyond her borders for a
liberal education The one serious discour-
agement is to the professional teacher. For
the toll and expense of going through the en-
tire public school course, rounding up W tn
graduates diploma from a normal school,
the State rewards its teachers with an aver
age monthly salary of S32 OF for men, and
SIS 81 for women. Some of the districts,
however, include the teachers board.
While this remains the fact we must not
wonder when we find young graduate teach
ers from Maine in the schools of almost
every State in the Union Alabama pays
her teachers, men and women, an average of
S24 a month California $50 to men, and 500
to women; Connecticut 500 to men, and S37
to women; Florida S29 to all; Montana Ter.
500 to men, and $50 to women; New York
S45 to all Massachusetts, 1921 to men, and
S44 to women; Vermont S3l to men, and S2l
to women; Virginia S3l to men, and S26 to
District of Columbia $l02 to men,
and $50 to women; Dakota Ter. $3S to men,
and S3l to women.