Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-04-05
E. E. DAVIS & co.

An Information bureau should be
started in the State House" remarked
an official. Tuesday. Each and every
head Of the departments receives let
tiers, each day. asking all sorts of ques-
tons, the greater part of them being
on points of law connected with their
department. The Governor receives
the greater number of letters Of in
quiry, though. If he 50 desired. he
could spend his whole time to con
Sulting his law books in searching for
The answers TO questions that are
asked him. They do not all come from
people in this State, but they are from
officials all over the United States. A
great many if thu questions are such
that he can answer them by sending
report OF the department to which the
question refers. There are many so
very complicated that the only thing
he can do is to refer them to some
good lawyer
Governor Powers will be at the State
House again. some time next week.
Major NeWcomb brought home two
swords the blades of which are the
famous Toledo blades. that he secured
in cuba. He bought one of a Cuban
officer and the other Of Spanish Off
Ger. one scabbard is Of nickel and the
other of German silver The major
will give Adjutapt, General Richards
his choice of the two as souvenir of
the Cuban campaign of the LIST Maine
Artillery.
John W. FOgler. paymaster Of the
army in the department Of Porto Rico,
was formerly of Augusta. where he
was cashier of the First National
Bank In letter to Hon. 5. J. Chad
bourne. he writes that his brother.
Lyman. lately a clerk in the State
treasury Of Maine, is with him as clerk
and is hale and hearty. II know you
would like to take a breath of our
balmy air where we all work in our
shirt sleeves and eat oranges off the
trees. 1t is perpetual summer here.
but at no season - the year does the
mercury touch as high figure as 1t
does in Maine. and the nights are al
ways COOL
Hon. ". w. Stetson State superin-
tendent of public schools. has issued a
pamphlet Of new laws. divisions and
explanations pertaining to his depart
ment He says that the department
recommended legislation in only two
matters. First, better provision for
the schooling of children in morgan
lied places. and second that a careful
investigation be made as to the condi-
ton of the town school funds in the
several municipalities. The Leglsla-
ture. ne thinks. passed a satisfactory
law in relation to the former matter.
and requested the State superintendent
to investigate and report TO the next
Legislature the facts connected with
the second. He believes the amend
ments to the schools laws will be OF
great service.
Mr.. Stetson prints chapter of direc-
ton and advice regarding free high
schools. Schools are not legally high
schools. and towns are not entitled TO
receive aid under the free high school
act unless the students in such schools
are not only pursuing high school
| studies. but have been admitted to
| such schools after an examination IN
which they have shown their fitness TO
be members Of the schools. To protect
! the town against loss in this direction
| it is suggested that the questions sub
| mitted to candidates for membership
| in the high school. together with their
| answers to the same be placed on file
| by <he superintendent. and thus be
open to inspection. 1t will be neces-
sary for superintendent to report I'M
| der oath that the law has been COM
| piled with.
| Money raised for the support of COM
mon schools cannot be used for the
maintenance of high schools. The eX-
pense Of school superintendent. text
books, repairs insurance, appliances.
apparatus. etc must not be paid from
! the common school fund or high school
fund. Towns can draw from the State
in aid of free high schools. one-half of
the sum raised and actually expended
for teachers wages ana board, not to
exceed $50 in any one year.
The superintendent makes special