Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-23
STATE HOUSE.
The New School Laws Of Porto Rico
Received.
General Guy v. Henry Seems to Have Started
a Good System.

The school laws of the Island of Porto
Rico enacted by order of General Guy V.
Henry, major general of volunteers, COM
manding, and issued by his order on May
/, have been received by Superintendent
w. w. Stetson and they are well worthy
of some attention. The formation OF
barrios or school districts is urged by
John Eaton, the director of public in
struction though it is stated in the laws
that it is not mandatory. The laws by
the way are made up in the form of or
ders and not as ordinary laws are made.
The island is divided into towns and
districts. A town is described in the
laws a place of 200 or more legal vot
ers while district is a place containing
less than 200 voters. And right here it IS
well to say that the voters in a school
district in Porto Rico are described as
members of both sexes. Every district
may contract or be contracted with and
each district holds the title to its school
buildings and grounds. No improvements
or new school buildings can be erected
without the consent and approval of the
board of education of Porto Rico.
Each district is presided over by five
trustees who are elected by the Austria
liam ballot system and they shall not be a
mark a ballot to distinguish the party
to which the candidate belongs. The
trustees are chosen so that three are
elected one year and two another. each
man serving two years They serve with
out pay. In each district there is
president Of the board Of trustees,
treasurer and a clerk.
The schools are supported by taxes as
sessed and raised in the district and in
the same manner as the municipal taxes
only the school taxes shall have the pre-
ference and shall be paid before the 9TH
ers. For the purpose Of raising money,
each district can with the consent and
with certificates from the government is
sue bonds.
The scholars are those between six am
IS years Of age. The teachers have the
right to suspend those who have bad NOR
al character or who have been exposed 20
infectious diseases.
The laws define the school day as Of six
hours from s to II a. NJ. and from 1.50
to 400 p. NJ. There are also three terms
of three months each. The holidays are
New Years day, Washington's birthday,
Good Friday. the Fourth of July, Thanks
giving and Christmas days. In every
town or district where there are over -
scholars the teacher makes out applica>
lions for admission to the school ana as
fast as there is a vacancy, the first on
the list Of applicants Is admitted. In
case a student is absent two weeks he
loses his seat which is given to the first
applicant. Where there are 100 pupils.
two rooms with two teachers are en-
ployed. In every case where there are
100 or even more the schools are graded
as in America.
The time that is to be devoted to each
study in each grade is given. The
studies are Spanish. English, arithmetic,
geography, music. drawing. writing.
spelling. manual training. hygiene AMI
morals
The requirements Of the professors in
the colleges there and in the graded
schools is very high. All must have re-
ceived degree or have a diploma from
an American or European university to
be a professor or an English supervisor
the latter being the man who presides
over a large municipality of districts.
Teachers in large graded schools must
be normal or college graduates. Teach
ers in graded schools must be graduates
Of some normal school or Of some Amer
lean fitting school, and must have had at
least one year Of practical teaching expo
rience. The teachers in the rural school
must pass a satisfactory examination be
fore the board of education of the gov
eminent.
The salary of the English supervisor Is
s75 a month; graded school teachers $50
a month; teachers in schools of two
grades so a month, and in rural schools
$50 i month payable at the end Of each
month and an amount taken out as =
teachers pension fund.
The educational department is notified
that on June 26. a party will leave Bos-
ton bound for Bayville in Linniken's bay
near .Boothbay Harbor. These people
come with the express purpose of study
ing nature. Four leading teachers in
four branches of nature study, Will ac-
company them to give lecture day and
evening. They will study both sea and
shore studies. and they fully expect 70
enjoy themselves immensely. This IS
sort of a vacation with teachers who nave
to use nature studies in their schools and
thus they improve their time while rest
ing in the change Of scenery and air.
The three following companies, Thurs
day. filed certificates Of Incorporation:
Tho Lewis Lumber Company organized
at kittery for the purpose q conducting
a numbering business with $4,000 capltai
stock. of which nothing IS paid IN me
otticnre Ara. President, II. NJ. Bckford of
Boston. Mass; treasurer +. L. koweil
of Kittery. Me. Certificate approved
June q, 1879.
The Stoughton Lumber Company organ
lied at Kittery for the purpose OF con
ducting A numbering business with 20
ooo capital stock of which nothing is PAID
in The officers are: President, ID. w.
prncl, n Stnnghton. Mass: treasurer, II.