The Portland daily press., 1895-03-12

tor the exclusive use of their children
becomes law. Ii Is to lie hoped that all
parents who have a proper regard for the
health of their families will avail them
selves OF Its provisions. Complaints
nave been made, personally and through
the pa blic press. that some of our school
buildings are not kept in sufficiently
CLEAN condition. 1t is the duty OF the
Janltors to keep the buildings under
their care clean at all times, and If my
recommendation with respect to the
superin tendent of public buildings be
adopted it will be well to make 1T one
OF his duties to supervise the work of
the ianitors
The Manual Training school has now
been in operation for two years, and las
proved successful beyond the hopes of
it's warmest friends. Not only are the
pupils deeply interested IN it. hut many
of the teachers in other branches of edu-
cation testify that the instruction i'm
parted By it tends to increase the pro-
iciency OF their pupils in other studies
the school is forum ate in possessing ex-
cellent instructors, fully competent to
place it in the front rank of schools of
this kind. I especially recommend to
your attention that portion of Mr.. l!an's
interesting report relating to this school
and the extension of kindred training to
girls.
The School for the Deaf, under rhe
able management of Miss Taylor has
considerably increased in numbers and
eff cisnoy. The want of dormitory for
the pupils has long been felt by the
friends OF the school. The children are
scattered about the city in private fami-
lies, and lose the benefit of the inter-
course which they might have with their
teachers if domiciled under a common
roof. Moreover they are liable to un-
pleasant experiences on their way to
and from school, owing to their inability
to communicate with those with whom
they come in contact. The necessity for
donlitory near the school SCENE to me
to be SO pressing that thought it best
to briuR the matter before the attention
OF the legislative committee Oh educa-
ton, and with the bile assistance of MIR.
Allan, Mr.. BIZ swnson, MIR. Bradley, and
the superintendent of schools, favorable
report was secured and / am happy TO
state that a hill making an appropriation
of SIS, coo has passed the House and SEN
ate, and that we may look forward with
contepce TO the possession of conven-
lent domitory at the commencement OF
the fall term. The pupils of this school
have had since the beginning OF the au-
tumn term, tbs advantages oil manual
training and have taken deep interest
in 1t. In addition to this instruction
they have been given an opportunity to
learn certain trades, by placing them for
portion of each day in industrial estab-
lishments. Two of the boys are at pres
emit in a blacksmith's shop; two more in
a shoemaker's shop; three are learning
carpentry, and one the trade of paint
err, ono OF candy maker, one of a sad
dler, and another of shoemaker. Nor
are the girls forgotten; several being en-
ployed In learning dressmaking and mill
oLi - Wv
quiring an education. but when they
leave the school will do so with fair
prospect of being self-supporting and
self-respecting citizens, instead of burd ems
upon public charity. The anticipated
increase of the appropriation for the sup
port of this school, to which I referred
in my last inaugural, has been granted.
and ses no good reason why the Deaf
school may not soon become one of the
p rmanent Institutions of the State.
a. During the past year considerable in
terest has been taken in military train
ing by some Of the pupils in the High
school. Upon application by the prnci-
pal seventy five cadet rifles were pur-
chased by the city for their use, and the
beneficial effect Of military drill is ap-
parent in the improved physical appear
ance of the young men who have availed
themselves of 1t. 1t would be well if all
the pup lis of this school could enjoy the
benefit to be derived from judicious phys
ical training.
The evening schools. as you will see by
the accompanying reports have been we'll
attended. Their usefulness cannot be
questioned by anyone acquainted with
the work which they perform. Unfor-
tunately the city possesses no oms
suitable for their accommodation. The
rooms occupied by them in the basement
of the City Building are small and in
convenient, and, if the schools are con-
tinued, more generous quarters should
be provided.
Ny recommendation with respect to
extending kindergarten instruction in
the pub bile schools was we'll received by
the preceding council, which granted An
appropriation therefor. We now have
three flourishing kindergarten schools,
which l trust you will deem it wise to
con tinue.
AS you will notice, the off Ger appoint
ed to search out neglected children has
done effective service, and by his exer-
tions has brought considerable mum
Der within the beneficial influence of
the schools. / also call your attention
to the report of the superintendent of
school buildings, by which you will see
that but a small expenditure for repairs
will be necessary for the present year.
In closing this subject l wish to call
attention to the Importance of the pub
lie library to the public schools. By a
vote of the managers the librarian has
been instructed to select upon previous
notice, such books as may be required by
pupils who are studying special subjects,
and it is hoped that many will avail
themselves of the advantages thus freely
offered them.
THE AIMS HOUSE.
The reports of the overseers of the
poor and the city physician show the
care which has been bestowed upon these
unfortunates who are obliged to depend
upon public charity. During the year
the attention of the council was called
to thu condition Of the almshouse and
hospital building, and a special COM
mittee was appointed to consider the ad-
visibility Of purchasing q farm in the
suburbs and erecting thereon more suita-
Bile buildings. 1t was argued that the