Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-03-03

il strong enough to sustain the system
This is local option, this is sclf-go,ernment,
AMI it is more in harmony with the spirit IT
our institutions to let this law remain as it
is tc1ay, and not for US 10 override thtir
will and force this on 10 them whether they
want il or not believe the tendency of
the times is too much in favor of centralizs-
ton, and in favor of legislation TO
regulate everything by law. We are driit-
ing away from the ancient landmarks OF
the government. Henry Ward Beecher
once said "A paternal government Is IN
Internal government" and am good deal
of that opinion. Let the people govern
themselves | believe in self-governmert
believe in home rule in this matter
Applause
Mr. Pratt of Turner We are all in favor
of anything that will improve our schools.
The friends of this bill claim that it will
improve our common schools, especially
in the outlying poor districts, and these
are the very schools that need help. II
will tend TO make our schools of uniform
length with no increase of expense. u
will give us better teachers. There IS
no system in the rural towns in the
matter of common schools, and they appeal
TO this Legislature for help. In 1000 differ
ent schools in Maine last year there we're
5000 different teachers employed. That is
not business-like. The town system gives
better supervision. The supervisors will
feel accountable to the various districts. Is
there much Capitalization of power in doing
away with the agents of the towns: 1t
leaves the schools in the hands of the towns.
Under the town system the work can be
systematized and graded. What system
can be devised that will apply to the schools
of a town whose school year varies from SIX
to - weeks II will give towns longer
school year. | was surprised to hear "A
learned man in the Senate say that this was
blow aimed at the rural schools. That
statement cannot be backed up by facts.
| The only logical objection that | ever heard
| to this bill is that it is well enough now,
that majority can adopt it now. do not
think it is well enough. Any system that
gives to certain schools in a town SO weeks
of school and a good teacher in good
school house, AMI to other schools where
the people pay the same rate of taxation.
| III weeks ard poor teacher in poor
school house. is not well enough. II is not
well enough to let town adopt it one at a
| time. We want some uniformity in this
thing If the State will adopt this law it
will be step in advance. Again, the opin-
ions of the teachers and leading educators
ough, TO count for something. They are
unanimous on this point There are two
many schools. We want fewer schools
and better fewer teachers and better. and
we can have them and with no additional
expense The sentiment of the times de-
mantls the town system. We are behind in
the matter of the common schools in the
rural sections of the State. | believe that
this bin is right and just that it is in the
line of equality and fairness and true educa-
tional progress.
| Mr.. Chamberlain of Bristol; This is one
of the most far reaching measures that will
come before US at this session. Nothing
but improvement results from change in
the district system. II tends to equality in
| the distribution of school money. The town
system has received the approval
of the educators of the State.
They unanimously recommend 1t. This
system is not a new one. 1t has been tried
| in many instances and rare indeed are
/ those instances where towns would will
! ingly forSake il. 1t comes before US as Il
measure that has stood the test of oxperi-
cnce, and we should feel less bcsitancy, on
that account in recommending its passage.
! 1t is said if we obiitera,c the old districts
we are doing away with the landmarks AMI
with an institution which has served rs an
educator in the past. It has been my ex-
| perience that the attendance in school dis
tricts has been diminishing. that the inter
est in regard to school district affairs has
been diminishing. We desire TO advance
| in the line of education, we desire to keep
abreast with other states, as far "a possible.
| especially i'll the line of educational work,
and ! therefore add my commentator to
the Introduction Of the town system.
! Mr.. Bonser of kernebunk said that the
/ principle of the bill was right hut such a
| law in his district would necessitatc the
| throwing up of their dist let incorporation
and result in a lowering of the standard of
/ their high school, the abandoning of their
| police force and the ipefliciencv of their fire
| department. lie was willing that other
towns should have the town system il they
wanted ii. He further said that if the I'LL
was to receive passage he had an amend
ment for the better protection of the spc-
cially Incorporated school districts which he
] desired TO offer.
Mr.. Scott Of Patten: As sure rs tlic
! Legislature comes here, so sure do We have
this bill brought here for consideration.
| Ii has been here for the last tseniy years.
| We can but admire the perseverance of Vi"
/ advocates Of this measure. The gentleman
who opened this discussion said that lhe
| State of Maine is far behind other states in
/ is educational system, and ! agree wiiA
| him. If | understood him rightly he sail
| that Maine was the only State that hal the
/ school district system. think he is q eatly
( mistaken in regard to that. Ne far as rpy
/ know ledge goes in regard to the Western
| states, they have the district system
/ IN every one of those stAtns
/ I have looked up the school laws of half 4
/ iozea states, taking them at random, aud
| in every one of those they have the school
district system. In the Western siates
| which ! am aequaintel with. they do not
. have any towu system because towns, suai
/ "a we have here are unknown. They da no,
| have any town system where they do,'i
| have any tasps. Oar schools are far b.
( snaj others in yarioas ways. We are toid
| about the schools becoming small. There
il now power resting in the school officers
Of town t. censeli late the school. in di.-
tricts here The schools are tho small. Why
don, .hey 10 i: We are told OF this cas-,
where the school ran down 10 one sch J.
ar AMI then the teacher married
Nfffr VS. fdHttyt saw tltdt tllh
district syste1n has been wholly failure If
it was the means Of Saving one poor school
teacher from dyin. m Oh maid One great
argument for this bill has been that school
agents are incompetent persons. and thai
committees arr competent. aud that Ills
pos eT s.,osli he taken from school agent.
The StatT superintendent has toll us IN
hi reports something about bow men s,ris.
~ H.. Il. -. L II
getting towns To employ some of their f.
male relative. 10 teach school. ParhaI~
there is great strife for the position a
school agent. don't know why there
should he. II IS the mcanest anil pooress
paid Office in the State. ! have been
so unfortunate myself as to be- school
agent once OK twice, and | know
whereof / speak. II il worse thsn being
. representative To the Legislature and
coming TO Aagssfa AMI psyiaz Fifth Ave-
nse prices for Sfste's prison board. (Long
continued laughter an'i applause
say ti,st school committees Of this State
are class in our country towns xho arr
incompetent, Are fou go;ag to improve
your school system by giving asidiiionsl
power 70 these men. II the people in anv
town wart to abolish the district system
there Is nothing " prevent them In re-
gard to the uniform length Of schools in !.
town, suppose you ass5sish the district sgs-
tenn They can give uniformity in regard
10 the len2sh Of schools in the various toans
but that does not equalizs the length OF
schools throughout the STAFF. The smaller
towns viii still have shorter schools than
the larger towns. Under this bill, If teach
ers are competent, committees may refuse
to examine them or give them certificate.