Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-04-29
SCHOOLHOUSE ROW.
Pitsfeld People Are Unable to De-
eide the Question,
As to What System, the District or Town
Shall Be Adopted.
Special 10 the KESSspnc JouRSAl.l

Special 10 the kESSEBEc JoURNAI.l
PirrsfiEln, April 2s.-Abou, the worst
of all fights that ever get into and tear up
town, the sehoolhouse row is perhaps the
worst TO be dreaded. ltwould no, require
long journey To take Us to the scene of
more than one of these conflicts. There
are certainly signs of considerable trouble
on this line in this booming town of Pitts
field, but it is hoped that everything may
be tremendously adjusted.
Al the annual town meeting held here
last month, after very full explanation of
the advantages claimed for the change, it
was first voted TO abolish the district school
system. and then, - to IL, that the
experimenting school committee and
selectmen be authorized and empowered
TO carry out the law in relation to the sys-
TEN of town schools"
There are at least four districts i'll this
town where the schoolhouses are, and for
years have been, "a disgrace, 10 quote the
language of Mr.. fioyey, one of the school
board. The result of the town system will
be to provide all parts of the town with de-
cent and comfortable schoolhouses, but of
course in those districts where the houses
now used are novels, the people will not get
new houses for nothing the change will
not come with costing them more than to
retain the district system and use the howell
After the adjournment of the March
meeting, this phase of the situation began
To be agitatcd, and the result was that a
special town meeting was called for the 10Th
inst, but this was not held owing TO an
oversight or mistake on the part of the con-
stable in posting the warrant; accordingly
another special was called for and held this
afternoon. The object was to see what in
structions the town would give in regard TO
the appraisal of the property taken from
the different districts, whether nominal or at
actual valuation, and TO see whether the
town would build one or more new school
houses, and whether money should be hired
for the purpose.
Ii was moved and and seconded that the
school property in the various districts be
appraised at nominal valuation of 81 in
each and that, in case the town goes back
to the old system in three wears, the dis
tricts have the property at the same yalua-
ton.
The people of the village district where
for new schoolhouscs and the school prop
crty owned amounts to SlJ,oo0 or more
naturally objected to this and it did not
pass. 1t was then voted to pass by both
the articles and the meeting aI journcd,
leaving the whole matter precisely where il
was after the adjournment of the March
meeting.
The Sclectmen say they will make the
appraisal of the school property but that
they will assess no tax i'll connection with
the matter, as the town has not voted to ap
pr0priate any money.
On the other hand, it is claimed hy those
who have looked into the matter that the
school law by its terms requires them not
only to appraise the property in the various
districts, but also to assess such tax AS may
be necessary in the adjustment. Really no
money is to be appropriated in this connec-
ton anyway. No tax assessed upon the
people as whole of course aggregates pre-
cisely the same as the amount which is paid
to the several districts.
Everything in connection with the new
WOODEN mill enterprise is moving along in
the most satisfactory and encouraging man
ucr possible. The new mill will he of brick
200 feet long and 80 feet wide, and three
stories high. A civil engineer will come
here this week to locate the mill, and ground
will be broken very soon There is no lack
of capital for the enterprise. this gratifying
state of things being due to a knowledge of
the fact on the part of investors that the
Mcssrs. Dobson are to have the active
management of the business.