Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-01-29
GO SLOW.

Ed(OF DcmocrN.
Intimations are not wanting In the
newspapers 10 the effect that an effort
will be made in the present Legislature
10 90 back TO the old school district
system Ia the state OF Maine.
for one have always regretted that
the law abolishing school districts In its
present form ever became a statute OF
the state, but IL Is 10 be hoped that our
legislators will weigh we'll the probable
consequences Of taking shack tracks In
this matter before the time for action
arrives. Now that the deed has been
consummatej, even il il has entailed sac
rifiee on the part OF the people, what Is
TO be gained by undoing IL: Agitation
and frequent change are not what We
need to improve the efficiency OF our
common schools, but to settle down on
a permanent system which shall be the
ground work, while the snperstructure
may be varied as the advancing wisdom
and needs Of coming years shall dictate.
Under the new law towns have been
compelled 10 take possession of all school
property, and the tax payers have been
assessed therefor; some Of them have
received large sums in rebates, and some
have had their taxes increased very
heavily.
IL they 20 back to the district system,
how is il proposed TO right this wrong!
Shall the town officers be required TO I'M
do their work in see-saw fashion, so that
those who are down this year may go
up next year? Better let the matter
rest as il is, for now the tax payers
stand on 81 equal footing, and all ex-
penses for repairs or for the building of
school houses must be rated on the
whole property Of the town.
To my mind a radical change now
" ould only continue the disturbing ele-
meut so disastrous to the efficiency OF
our schools, and after all settle nothing,
as the friends of the town system would
be sure to keep the matter in agitation.
There is this to be said in their favor
which cannot be reasonably gainsaid,
that two years IL too short time to
fairly test the system. Better wait until
the people are fully satisfied by the
Of time that they want per-
manent change.
At the same time, there are some
features of the law that might be modi-
fed 10 my way Of thinking for the better.
That provision OF the law by which the
school board IL created, it seems 10 me
is going back on the teachings OF expe-
Renee. Efficiency Of supervision 10 our
public schools ia not to my mind assured
by numbers. A superintendent for
cities and large towns, and a supervisor
for smaller towns elected by the legal
voters for one year, are what l would
propose instead Of the present board.
The chances are that in the selection OF
persons to perform these duties by the |
whole town true talent and fitness would /
be as likely to come to the front as when |
selected BY committee elected at hap
hazard, whose duties are assigned to
hem without compensation.
There certainly does seem to be some
hing more inspiring 10 the thought that
me Is responsible directly to his con-
rather than to the caprice Of
committee through whom only he IL in
lirectly responsible to the town. How
,yer, there Is no doubt but these matters
will be regulated In time TO the satisfac-
ion Of majority of our voters, which
. all that Can be hoped or expected.
What we have most to fear IL frequent
hanges. With these constantly occur
ing 1t Is impossible to see the way to
permanent Improvement. Therefore It
would seem to be the part Of wisdom to
olerate even unpopular measures until
UGH time as they be fully proved to be
vii. Go slow Is . maxim not to be
by our legislators II they
rould always heed II, It would prevent
he enactment Of . good many foolish
Avs. and preclude the necessity Of TAX
~ back tracks 90 often In legislation.
n. s. BAKER. ',