The Portland daily press., 1899-01-13

10 would boz possible 70 have IL In the
Governors hands two weeks from TO-
night, OF In less than three weeks from
its introduction. There Is little talk Of
imposition in the Senate, but an at
tempt to cut the appropriation to sso,ooo
even may be made In the HOUSE. There
A n project under discussion 70 char
tsr a special train and take the lawmak-
ers oyer to Bangor next Thursday to see
the work already done. In addition III
10 likely that steps would be taken 10
make the visit enjoyable.
The committee on education ut It's
meeting today decided to visit the Maine
School for the Deaf In Portland on Tues
day next, and to visit the Pennington
Normal school the next day.
THE CATTLE COMMISSION.
The House,, today after another little
controversy, decided to refer matters
pertaining to the finances Of the oat'ie
commission to the.committee on aRriouI-
ture. MIR. Parkhurst moved that the rel
erepce be to the finance committee anu
was supported by Mr.. Beal. MIR. Manley
OF Augusta recommended reference 10
the agricultural committee. The hrst
division of the session was taken on the
question, the vote resulting 6S to 81 In
favor OF the reference TO the COMMITTEES
on agriculture. Mr.. Beal Of Bangor pre-
septed n resolves appropriating 81, 6s5 80
to pay for tuberculous cattle killed dur
ing the past year. Tho resolve was re-
ferred to the agricultural committee
THE NORMAL SCHOOLS.
Great is economy! The eastern section
of the state wants normal schools ana
the special commission rcommends the
erection of three. They are to DO MODEST
little affairs. No towering structures
of massive stone and iron are to adorn
these towns. The new normal schools
are TO be models of simplicity and are
TO cost the state but 5000 zach, accord
ing to the ideas of TIE commission. Inc
University OF Maine was once plain
farmers college and moderate sums only
were Appropriated for 1t, but mighty
oaks from little acorns grow, ana nor
NAL school in a plain wooden building
would be likely TO develope into an In
stitutIon with all the modern luxuries
and improvements. The commission
report is regarded as material for lively
contest later in the winter
This normal school question has been
one of great interest here Tor several
session. Calais, Dexter, Newport, Houl-
ton and Presque Isle each put in claim
for the new institution of learning, and
the rivalry grew so intense that finally
an astute lawmaker conceived the idea
of shifting ths whole troublesome mat
ter TO the shoulders Of commission up
ON whom would dsvolve the task OF
selecting the lucky town. This commits
sion was composed Of Hon. Frederick >.
Walls, Gen. John Harper and Albert X.
Hawkes.. Their report has been in the
hands OF the Governor for several weeks
ard there has been great louriosity to
learn its contents Today 1t was. trans
mitted to the legislature and the members
found that instead of selecting one town,
the commission had gone on record AZ
being in favor Of three towns as the new
seats of learning. These towns are
Calais, Houlton and Dexter. The CON-
missioners argue at great length the
need of normal schools as part OF the
states educational system. They describe
their journeys to the towns and cities
and the courtesies they received in thoss
places whose citizsns are anxious to meet
the state half way. The argument tina,
If the standard OF admission were raised
the need of new normal schools would moi
be felt, they do not regard as good
one. Neither are they impressed with the
practicabillty Of the suggestion that Da
pills from a distance might be carried
at the expense of the state to and from
the towns where schools are now located
The commission says Massachusetts
has expended mote than SO 600, 900 In
erecting normal school buildings and
spends 5000, 900 annually on her ter
schools. Maine, with one third as many
pupils as the mother state, pays only $50,
900 year, and has normal school prop
erty valued at Sl9a. 500 as follows: A,
Castine, $1,000; at Pennington, $G0, 900
at Gorham, $1,000. The school where
the least money has been spent is doing
as good work as the Others. In the three
towns selected suitable buildings lots
will be given the state and the founda
tons will be laid. Upon such founda'
tion,' say the commission, 'can be con
structed an appropriate, substantial wood
IN building, slate rooted and without
walls double plastered; finished furnished
and equipped inside as we'll as any OF
our present normal school buildings, fol
the sum of $4,000, We have discussed
the subject with the people living in
tab IL
and are able to assert that they would be
satisfied with buildings such as We de.
scribe above" Accordingly the commits
sion recommends the erection Of three
schools in the places named ut a cost t.
the state not exceeding $25, 900 each. A
bill for $370, expenses Of the commission.
accompanies the report.