The Portland daily press., 1895-03-21

portant Measures-The High Way Com
missioner Bill Returned in New
Guise Entitled "An ct Relating to the
Repairs of High Ways and Bridges in
Towns
Especial to the PRESS
Augusta. Marc 20.-The committee on ed
ucation :his morning reported TWO import
ant bills. One is the measure TO establish
a state branch of education TO act in an
advisory capacity in the v ok of improving
the condition of the public schools. The
other provides for system of state e1aml-
nations for teachers.
The bill establishes state board of edu-
caion ITO consist of the Governor. presi-
dent of the Senate. state superintendent OF
schools, all ex-oficio, aud FIVE persons ap-
pointed by the Governor with The consent
of the Council to held office as fellows: One
for FIVE years, one for -our years. one for
three years, one for two years, and one for
one year. and thereafter all appoin tments
shall be for the term of five years. oneito
retire each year in the order Of appoint
inent and the Governor. with the advice
snd consent of the Council shall ill all the
vacancies in the board. Said board shall
serve without pay. but all necessary tray-
cling expenses shall be paid.
..pection 2-Said board shall exercise a
general supervision of ali the public schools
and advise and direct town committees, su-
pervisors and superintendents of schools in
the discharge of their duties, by circular,
letters and personal conference. They
shall obtain informa tion as to the school
syatems fof other states and countries. and
the condition and progress OF common
school education throughout the world
they shall disseminate SUCH information.
together with such practical hints upon the
conduct of schools and the true theory of
education as observation and Investigation
shall convince them to be important, by
public addresses, circulars. reports and ar
ticles prepared for the press. They shall
do all in their power to awaken and sus-
tain an interest in education among the
psople. The state superintendent Of schools
shall be secretary of said board, and they
may prescribe such duties for him in adj
dttion to those now prescribed bylaw as
they may deem proper.
"bection 3.-said board may-appoint not
more than two suitable agents to visit the
several cities and towns in the state for the
schools, of comforting with teachers and
committees of superintending examinations
of teachers. holding teachers meetings,
giving lectures upon educational subjects
and otherwise laboring to increase the
efficiency of the public schools. under the
direction of the board. for which service
they shall be paid annually in quarterly
payments upon bills approved by the Gov
nd to n an.
dent, a sum not exceeding $1500 and all
necessary and proper travelling expenses. /
.sSection 4.-Said board shall meet quart
erly or upon the call of the chairman OF
secretary.
Section 5.-The sum of $4,000 shall be an
nually appropriated and set aside by the
state treasurer from any of the moneys by
law available from the state treasury for
the support of public schools, 10 pay the
salary and expenses of the agents of said
board. the expenses of the members thereof
incurred in the discharge of their official
duties and the incidental expenses of said
board.
''Section 6.-This act shall take effect
when approved"
The second bill. relating TO the examina-
tion of teachers, is as follows.
t'Section 1.-The state superintendent of
schools shall cause TIC be held at such con-
venient times and places as be may from
time to time designate. public examination
Of candidates for the position of teacher in
the public schools of tie state. Such ex-
aminations shall test the professional as
we'll as the scholastic abilities of the can
didates, and shall be conducted fy such
persons and in such manner as he may from
time to time designate. Due notice. of the
time, place and other conditions of the
examinations shall be given i'll such public
manner.as he may determine.
s'Seciion IA certificate of qualification
shall be given TO candidates who satistac-
toriIy pass examination in such branches
as are required TO be taught and who in
other respects fulfill the proper require
nents. Such certificates shall be either
probationary or permanent and shall indi-
cate the grade of schools for which the per-
son named is qualified to teach.
''Section 3.-A list of approved candi-
dates shall be kept in the office of the state
superintendent. and copies Of the same
with such information as may be desired.
shall be sent to school commit tees, .supervi-
sors and superintendent upon their re-
quest.
''Section 4.-The certificates issued under
the pl DIVISIONS OF this act may be accepted
by school committees, supervisors and sup
erintendents in lieu of the personal exami-
nation required by section 81, chapter H.
r. Sand all amendments thereto.
''Section ga sum snot exceeding $4,000
may be annually expended for the necessary
and contingent expenses of carrying out
the provisions of this act.
"Section 6.-This act shall take effect
when approved"
Another important measure which came
in a new draft today is the bill 'An Act re-
Isting to the repairs of highways and
bridges in towns"
This is the measure designed to better the
condition of the roads in the country towns.
by creating the Office of land highway COM
missioner. 1t makes each town consist of
one highway district and then goes on to
specify the manner of taking care of the
roads under the new system which is a
great advance over the present methods.
lie bill provides that Each towa shall
al nd