The Portland daily press., 1895-01-04

appropriation for this purpose Tor the past
few years has been insufficient to meet the eX'
penditEres that were necessary TO properly
guard this interest and fully protect the pub
lie health. The sum appropriated having been
exhausted in July last, the Governor and Coun-
Gil authorized the Commissioners to expend an
additional sum of $1,000 in carrying forward
their necessary work. which amount has been
paid from the treasury.
We are now appropriating large sums OF
money to protect our fish and game, and GER
tainly we should not neglect to make an ade'
quate appropriation for the protection OF our
herds and fiocls.
Education.
Education is the great bulwark of defense
stronger than standing armies and the most
powerful navies. 1t directs public sentiment
in the paths of peace right and JuStlce, is ole
foundation of pure and good government anu
the enemy of wrong and oppression. Inc
organic law of the State recognizes that a
general diffusion of the advantages OF eau
cation, is essential to the preservation OF the
rights and liberties of the people.
A State tax of one mill on a dollar is annually
assessed for the support of our common
schools. In addition to this, one-half OF the
savings bank tax is devoted to the same
purpose, as well as the interest on the
permanent school fund, making the aggre
gate amount appropriated by the State
for common school purposes for the school
wear ending April l, 1885. $54l ,599.l4 There
is deducted from this fund an appropria
ton of $4,000 for teachers meetings, nor
NAL and training schools. The balance OF Sol4,
800. IA is distributed among the several cities
towns and plantations by the State Treas
urer, according to the number of scholars
as the same shall appear from the OH
cial returns made to the Superintendent OF
Common Schools, for the preceding year. In
1894, two hundred and eighty-five towns and
70 1a,r
amount in the form of school money than their
entire state tax; the cities and larger towns
contributing to this fund.
The State has also expended during the past
year, $97 $40 for free high schools, academies
industrial schools and other educational pur
poses. The entire expenditure for the school
wear from State and municipal funds, for our
common schools were Sl.501, 190; and from the
same sources the sum of $257,2J7 has been ex
nended for free high schools and other educa
tional work, making grand total for the year
of 81, 75S,387. It is proud record of devotion
to our common schools, and they should be
sustained and guarded by our people for the
future honor and greatness of our State.
The valuable and interesting report of tn:
State Superintendent a. Schools will be pre-
sented to the Legislature
The superior educational advantages of ou1
colleges and other advanced institutions OF
learning have received deserved recognition
from all SeCU1OnS OIL our COuueIy Oul AOI
schools academies and free high schools are
aiding in our educational progress as a PEG.
pie, and theirs is q grand example Of success
full work.
In this connection it is my duty to call your
attention to the demands for an additional
school building at the State Normal School IN
Pennington, and recommend an appropria-
ton therefor. The attendance is constantly
increasing, and the existing structure does not
afford sufficient a ,co IN ,dations; unless rem.
sdied the efficiency of TINS State institution in
it's educational work will be impaired.
The dormitory of the State Normal School at
Gorham was destroyed by fire during the past
year: and it will be your pleasure to give due
consideration to the recomm sndation of the
Trustees, relating thereto.
Education of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind,
For several years the State annually uppro-
priated twenty thousand dollars for the educa
ton of the deaf, the dumb and the blind. In
1898, this appropriation was reduced to fifteen
thousand dollars. In view of the increased
number desiring the advantages of this spo-
cial training, that sum will be inadequate to
properly provide i'll the future for the free
education of these unfortunate children
"A school for the instruction of the deaf and
dumb was established in Portland in 1885,
commencing with three pupils At the pres
emit time fifty-five children are being educated
at this excellent and progressive institution,
under the supervision of the accomplished
principal, Miss Taylor. Several scholars are
attending the American Asylum at Hartford,
Connecticut she Oldest school for tho deaf and
dumb in the 4auntry. Great advancement has
been made in the Portland school within the
past few years, and the pupils are making adj
mirable progress. Heretofore no opportun1'
ties were given them for mechanical and in.
dustrial training but at the opening of the
fall term such benefits were conferred. These
- totn az
one family among our own people, excite the
deepest interest; and am confident you will
not hesitate in providing means that Will en-
able them to receive the training and inst~uc-
ton that will open up to them a new and
brighter life.
A suitable home should be established, where
these little helpless children, during their
school years, may be constantly under the care
and guidance of the teachers of the school
The cost of building adapted to this purpose
would be comparatively light.
The State is educating twenty-one blind
children at the Perkins Institute, South Bos'
ton, Massachusetts,. Suitable provision must
be made for their future welfare. think an
annual appropriation of $22,510 is necessary fol
the education and care of the deaf, dumb anC
blind. Any unexpended balance of the appro
priation for this humane object, will be covered
into the treasury.
The amount of funds received for school
purposes - 1AiSiO 9bSSo
during the past five years from S4l6,5l9.13 to
$54l, 599.14; and it will continue to enlarge in
the future. The expenditure for the deaf
dumb and blind is purely for educational pur
poses, for the benefit of school children of OUT
State. 1t seems just that the appropriation
for their education should be charge upon
the school fund and paid from that source
and not be appropriated from sums re
ceived by taxation for general purposes be
lieve every municipality in the State would
cheerfully recognize the propriety and justice
of such legislation, permitting these children
to share IN the general fund set apart fol
educational purposes.
Labor.
The cause of labor should always receive the
the highest consideration at the hands of the
legislative branch of the government. Amel
iorating laws have been enacted in the past
and no effort should be spared in the future ia
conserve and promote, this great cause
Friendly relations should be maintained be
tween the employer and employed, a spirit o.
confidence and good will should be fostered
for industrial peace is the strongest promoter
of the welfare of labor and the State.
We are being constantly warned that great
danger threatens our free institutions and the
well being of the industrial workers of ou1
country by the tide of immigration that is
fioodinp our shores