Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-01-15

declaration of her citizens, in the very van
of temperance states. In keeping her there
the friends of prohibition must spare no
effort or shrink from no responsibility
BALLOT REFORM.
am fully convinced that the time has
come for Maine to adopt the Australian
system of voting. Two years ago this
method of ballotng was largely viewed in
the light of a doubtful innovation. Many
members of the Legislature felt the results
which had followed its adoption by few
states of the Union were too meagre TO
furnish a proper basis for action in this
State, especially as they were achieved
under the temporary disadvantages natu-
rally attendant upon the introduction of
new law etiecting such important changes
There is no longer reason for this con-
Servatism. The Australian system of vot-
ing has safely passed its experimental era
ID this country Its wisdom has been
clearly established. To-day it is the law
in more than one third of the states in the
Union, and there is reason to believe that
the time is not far distant when its adop
ton will become general.
1t is the sacred duty of popular govern
ment to maintain, in every possible way,
the purity of the ballot. The nearer our
elections come to fairly registering the
personal conviction of each individual
voter. the closer will they conform to the
tfue spirit of our institutions.
1t is the concurrent testimony of those
states which have made a trial of it, that
the Australian ballot system comes nearer
securing this desirable result than any
other vet devised There is no reason to
doubt that. under its wholesome opera
ton. intimidation and bribery will be praC-
tically unable to influence elections. and
voters will be freed from unpleasant
espionage at the polls. Another benefit
that will accrue from the adoption of this
system of voting. will be found in the
powerful incentive given political parties
IT, nominate honest and capable candi-
dates. The subject is one that calls for
careful thought and commend it 10 your
earnest consideration
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
our system of public instruction in
clude> three separate and yet related
groups of schools viz..-the Common
schools the Free High Schools and the
Normal Schools For the support of these
three groups during the last year. there
have been expended the following sums:
Fot Common schools, sI,Il4.aC2 90
Free High schools, 1917 944 %
Normal schools 100000
Making a total ~ sl27s $500
Financially considered, therefore this
system is among the most important inter
est> Of the State Considered with regard
In the purposes which it is set to sub
>crve-the training of intelligent, vrtuous,
"rder-loying and law abiding citizens, it is
one OF the paramount interests of the
state Such system may rightly demand
our most careful, constant and intelligent
consideration
While the statistics and statements Of
the report of the State Superintendent of
Common schools show the Free High and
Normal schools TO be in most prosperous
and satisfactory condition they do not
show as much for the more important
Common schools. Thee latter. the sup
port of which is compulsory by law in
every town in the State and attendance
upon which i also compulsory. should be
- organized and managed a. to give every
child III every town equal privileges: to
impose equal burdens for their mainten-
ayDr; o. be in the highest practicable de-
gree efficient for the ends for which they
were established; and to be least wasteful
10 public moneys.
T. j. claimed by the superintendent that
TIE system, prevailing in nearly three
iUlrth> Of our towns. is defective In all
these particulars. and he recommends that,
I" remedy these defects, law be enacted
ah"l!>hing the school districts and giving
tie entire management of the schools to
committees consisting of three or more
members according to size of town. be
speak for these important matters your
most cun>iderate action.
ENLARGEMENT OF STATE HOUSE
no ,f u.
largrment of the State House will soon be
laid before you. The extension is CON
structed throughout according TO the most
approved methods Of fire proof archltec-
ture. 1t i important that an appropria-
tlun To furnish It be made at an early dsv.
| am of the opinion that a sufficient sum
OF money should also be appropriate to
make the Old State House fire proof and
pat 1t INTO condition to properly cores
pond with the new extension. | commend
the subject 10 your favorable consider
alton.
During the year that has just drawn TO
close Hon. Lewis Barker, a member of
TIL Commission, has passed away No
m ~ took deeper interest and pride in its
work than he To his sound Judgment and
practical grasp of affairs is due, in no
small degree. whateyer measure of sue
r..
served hi, State in many honorable posi-
tIone and always with conspicuous faith
fitness and ability. His memory will he
telterlv cherished
THE STATE LIBRARY.
Now that the State Library will soon be
moved to its more convenient quarters in
the new extension, | believe that the time
has come to unlock. and render immedi-
atriy available. all its vast treasures Of
Information, by the adoption of the card
system of cataloguing used in most of the
larger libraries of the country | am con-
WINGED that by the adoption of this system
the practical utility of the Library would
be enhanced fifty per cent.
In an address sent out by the Associa-
ton OF State Librarians, an organization
formed at ST. Louis in May. 1859, the func-
tons of state library were thus succinct-
" stated; "A state library should not
only be d complete reference library for
al branches Of the government executive,
Judicial and legislative. and the repository
Of all materials for local history and bi-
ography, but it should also contain and
furnish abundant facilities for using all
desirable books of Information relating to
special industries and pursuits of the
State. or calculated to lead to the intro
duction of industries and pursuits suited
10 1t, but hitherto neglected In short |
1t should be fitted TO serve all interests of
the State by infusing into their conduct
the highest intelligence and skill
With the card system of cataloguing. a
library conducted upon these lines NAV be
made of great value to the State The
Introduction Of this system into library
containing 10000 volumes, will, neces-
sarlly, involve vast amount of work and
considerable additional expense, but. once
established, more cards can be placed in
the alphabetical cabinets as new books
are added to the library. and thus the cata-
Iogue be, at all times, complete index
OF It's contents. | recommend that an ad-
dltIonal appropriation be made for the
temporary employment of extra help.
especially skilled and experienced in this
method of catalogung, and for the pur-
chase OF such cabinets and other material
as may be necessary to its adoption
THE STATE MILITIA
\ gratifying advance has been made
during the past few years in the character
and efficiency of the State Militia Both
officers and men have worked with com
mendable zeal for the improvement of the
service At the annual muster In July last.
the State was honored by visit from
Hon Redtield Proctor, Secretary of War.
drenching rain storm, which was in
progress during his stay at the camp pre-
vented him from reviewing the troops.
tie expressed himself as much pleased