Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-03
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
Continued from page ~

SpenlS TTHt -UTIt SU1IVTS ITOfn
a little delay. The matter of saving the
difference between $4,000 and S33 200 may
not seem to you matter of much i'm |
portance, but tell you, gentlemen, that
the time never has been when $l3G00 in
the State of Maine was so much OF an
item as it Is. today Now | wish to go ON
record against this resolve of $33.0 600 sim
ply because l believe it is exorbitant and
something which is not absolutely neces-
sa-y.
Mr.. Walls of Knox: I presume every
senator present understands the object
of these normal schools. The State of
Maine expends in common schools in
round numbers, s1G3S,59S for the benefit
of the pupils in the State AS | under
stand, the object of these normal schools
is to prepare our teachers TO give those
pupils a practical education, anu we are
aware that persons who are specially nit
tend Tor a purpose are more valuable.
As the report of our State superintendent
shows, many of the schools in the rural
districts of.the State are being taught by
teachers who are totally unfit. and that
the money is partially, and l might say.
almost wholly thrown away. AS ] I'M
derstand the object, these schools are for
the purpose of fitting those teachers that
the services they render may be worthy
of their remuneration.
Now the Legislature decided. two years
ago. that Gorham should have a dortni-
tory; Whether IT Was ns wise or not, it is
priation for that purpose and it has been
used. 1t has built a wing and has built
1t in such II way that it is necessary to
complete 1t or what we have got there is
worthless. The committee found 1t in
that condition. and nose who came be-
fore the committee in its interest were
present can say, and the educational
committee is not in favor of expen..ng
any more money, if I understand it. than
what 1t deems actually necessary.
Now these items have been SO arranged
that all can, read them. as they have
been brought out to show the particulars.
have a hs S ney n ask h fo
this main building $l73272 5; for plumb
ing. s2236.5 50. and If you have had any ex-
peri sd,; in plumbing. you know that the
any too much; for steam heating, $780,
The architects bill is sllSs.19. They ask
f1r AN Wbas 49, aS ssr for
put in water service for the benefit not
only of the pupils. but for fire purposes.
and show that the. expense would be
other things. about $3.50. To grade the
grounds, it will take 5000. We questioned
those who came before US very closely
on every point. and it was our desire TO
< get the estimate lowered. if we could do
so. but We found by questioning the
architect and those who were interested
or knew anything about it, that it could
not be successfully carried out. Before |
forget it, | will state here, as some say
that this may not be the end Of it. that
Governor ROBBIE, that he will donate $1,000
in addition to the amount here. to make
sure of the completion, and that there is
Legislature in the future for anything in
this direction. Now, so far as that goes
this town and the citizens down there
have presented to the State of Maine for
the purposes of a normal school, build
ingS and land estimated to be worth $40
900. They have presented it to the State
hoping and trusting. of course. that the
State of Maine would be magnanimous
enough to perpetuate these buildings and
Keep them in good repair. The dormitory
there was burned and the State had no
insurance on it, as / understand. Now
are we under any moral obligation as a
State to take care of those buildings after
they have been given to us? | will read
little from the reply that Gen. Conner
made when they We're presented. He said:
II am confident that / stand in small
danger of using words of undue warmth
ments with which my colleagues and my
self regard this munificent gift which you
now make to the State. To say that we
are so well satisfied of the sufficiency OF
the property you donate as to feel war
ranted in accepting it. is an entirely in
adequate statement of the estimation in
which IT is held by US. 1t is in the high
est degree gratifying to receive in the
name of the State these spacious grounds
these stately and commodious buildings,
Dedicated to the noh!est uses the free
offering of generous and public-spriled
citizens Further he says: THE new
normal school enters upon its existence
ulittt tiie IlUSl liN DTdDlP auspices. Sltu-
ated ON convenient eminence. command
ing wide typical New England pros
occt, comprising the mountains and the
sea. the city villages and rural scenes.
among an intelligent and refined people.
additionally friendly and helpful to
scholars. IN CONSEQUENCE of years of asso-
citation with successive generations of pu
pliS OF the academy and the seminary:
provided with ample accommodations for
boarding pupils and fairly equipped in all
rnSnEptc = M inf h mr..
vision seems wanting to make it power
IN the school system of the State And
then he said. and guaranteed to those
people in receiving this, which any homes:
man would guarantee as Governor of the
State of Maine: The State will not fail
TO continue to provide for the worthy
conduct of the school"
1T looks to me- Mr.. President that the
State Is not only under obligations to the
normal school itself. but as in honor
bound they are under obligations TO keep
ana pcrpetuate in that beautiful town Of
Gorhaln a normal school and dormitory
ana al the things necessary to make that
ment will not prevail.
Mr.. Roberts of oxford: 1t seems to me
mat this is a matter of great Importance
and should receive our careful considera-
ton before this amendment is adopted
My friend. the senator from York has
told us that we should exercise economy
ana | agree with him, but wish to say,
and | know 1t is admitted on the part
of all the senators here. that there is
economy, and there is also wise
economy. ! believe it is a wise economy
FOR this State to appropriate money
enough today. or ut this session of the
Legislature. to complete this dormitory
and | believe it would be an unWisc
economy for us to appropriate the $4,000
ana leave the matter hanging to be COM
pleted two years from now. | believe it
should be the policy of this State when il
undertakes to erect a building like this
one, costing onlNga few thousand dollars
TO appropriate money sufficient to COM
rle,o 1t. and not give to it a few thous-
ANA, with the privilege of coming back in
Two years from now. Here is an instit,I-
ZION of learning. an institution that be-
longs TO this State, and one that has done
good work for the people of this State
and the land upon which these buildings
STOOD, the building that is now occupied
Tor school purposes and the dormitory
which was burned. was given to the
State by the citizens of Gorham -Four
wears ago in the House ! remember of
!; bill being presented providing that
these normal school buildings should be
insured. and it was voted down. and
mat being the fact. is not this State I'M
der obligation to provide a dormitory.
and being under obligation to provide this
dormitory. should it not be done expedi-
tlously? Why. two years have already
passed. 1t takes two years more to eX-
pend this money. If they are to come back
IN TWO years from now for money to COM
pete II. that means six years to build a
small building like this. Now I believe
II Is wise economy to appropriate enough