Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-05-12
MAMMOTH SCHOOL Gszr1Ho


MAMMOTH SCHOOL MEETING
Dsoidss that the village Distiiot
School viii not Build New School
houss on the Grove Street Lot
Probably the largest school meeting ever
held in the village school district was that
in the assembly hall Of the State Street
Grammar Schoolhouse Monday evening.
At least 400 voters were present, and the
greatest interest was manifested from first
to last.
Hon. II. NJ. Heath was chosen moderator.
Article 3, to ses II the district would vote
to authorize the directors to provide Addi-
tionxl and sutfis school accommodation
for scholars resident in the southern part
OF the district. was postponed for consider
ton later in the meeting.
Article 5 was next taken up.
Article $40 zee IL the district will vote
to borrow the money to erect Q schoolhouse
pu tnS oltNt uICCt eOuVVt uu urC AOt III uaiu
district. and to determine the amount and
times Of payment Of such loan.
Mr.. W. d. Stinson said he regretted that
any personal feeling had been engendered
and weuld apologize for any part be may
have had in 1t. The question was one that
should be considered on its merits. IL
might be better at this time to put small
amount into repairing the old schoolhouse
and build another at reasonAb lie expense to
afford accommodations, but that couldn't
be considered under the present warrant, %
be introduced the same order that he hai
at the previous meeting, relating to the
borrowing Of $40, 900 to build . new school
house on the Grove street lot.
T. j. Lynch Esq. then addressed the
Chair. He was opposed to this order on
the ground that it was an extravaeant
building on that lot. At the first meeting
he had known Of the condition Of the schools
only through the directors report and was
not prepared for that of building a new
school house. Since the last meeting in
company with other gentlemen he had Wis
lied the schools to examine into the
seating capacity Of the schools and
the largest number registered. On Wednes-
day they visited ths primary departments
Of the Grove Street School. In the fret
room they found u seating capacity Of 60,
number of seats occupied, Al; unoccupied.
ID, In the upstairs room they found =
seating capacity Of So, occupied. 32; un-
occupied, "a. The building did need
some repairs but the furniture is
good. They afterwards visited the
grammar school. In the pioe occupied
rooms visited they found 502 seats
in the school were $40 scholars; number
registered, 3s5; unoccupied seats, l62
The scholars averaged 35 scholars to each
teacher. Ia the Cushnoc Heights school
are l50 seats now; seats occupied, 90;
registered number, 120. There are l20
seats in the Kendall street school, Of which
7G,were occupied. In the Laurel street
school are l20 seats; occupied, Sc;
registered number S3. Mr.. Lynch said he
would acknowledge that in the primary
department there were more scholars than
could be taught to advantage, but this was
the case only in this class of scholars. He
thought the room in which the meeting wss
nov assembled could be used for some OF
the classes. On this floor in another room
there was now Q class Of 43 scholars.
II should be shown conclusively that new
building WAS an absolute necessity before
such sum was appropriated. He then
spoke at some length on the condition of
the city debt and argued that il did not war
rant this expenditure. He then cited the
different appropriations thst had been re.
quired for the Cushnoc Heights school
building beyond what was at first sntici-
psted
+. f. Southland was the ne 1t speaker. He
said he vas glad to see this large aud re
preventative meeting. Whichever way they
voted he should feel that he had done what
he could toward the new school building.
He took stock in what the directors said ab out
the crowded condition Of the Grove street
school. also concerning the poor sanitary
condition Of the school. He hoped that
way would be made for the children to
have the proper advantages. Did not be-
lieve in the policy Of building over an old
building. He believed in the progress of
Augusta, believed that il was the best town
on the face of the earth. When he came
here II years ago there were plenty Of
stores on Wster street to let. Some
few years ago through the efforts
of some persons works had been put in, the
street had been paved, the Cony High
School building hsd been erected, a new
iron bridge had been constructed and now
on Water street there was not store to let.
The merchants on Water street had done
larger business the last year than ever be-
fore. This hsd come about simply because
the place had been made attractive to live
in and do business in. Was this TO stop2
IL go, ihsn tn. increase In population must
stop. The residents OF our peighboripg
cities always had good word to say for
their city. This was not always the case
with Augusta people. This might be made
the biggest city east of Portland. No un-
prejudiced person could ssy that the Va lus-
ton Of the city a. made by the State assess-
ora had been an unfsir one. He continued
at considerable length on this subject. If the
tax could be assessed on the valuation fxed
by the State assessors the rate would be
kep. dawn TO 16 mills. The city had ex.
pended $4,000 for the beautiful psrk on
The public schools should be cared
for. They are the great bul-
wark Of the liberties Of the people Of
this country. The directors Of the vii.
liams district were satisfied that they were
, 10 have good school for the money they
had expended. He was glad that Cashnnc
Heights had new school. He had voted
for it. He hoped they would help buili
one down at the other end Of the city.
Dr.. J. o. Webster OF the school board
| said that the figures given by Mr.. Lynch
had no bearing on the question. The ques-
ton was ia relation to the scholars of the
subprima5y department. In Mise Bel.
bios's room there were sixty
ssholsfs. in the other room there
were g.. Ia that grade Of there
should no. be over 40 in room. One ad-
ditio.ai school room was needed this year
and it was utterly impractical to use this
assembly room for . class room. II wss
utterly unft for it.
Hon. j. Manchester Haynes said that
though he wss not At the previous meeting,
some things had suggested themselves TO
him and he would make some suggestions
to the meeting. He did not consider that
the Grove street location wss suitable for