Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-04

the Jagged skyline of Names great GEN.
trail mountain range, from 30 to 20 miles
away, towering sometimes clear and blue.
and sometimes hazy and mysterious until
they meet and mingle with the clouds.
There they stand and will stand forever
On the west, Abraham. then Bigelow,
Moxie. Squaw. Russell. Spencer, Onawa,
BARREN the Chairback Mountains, and on
the extreme east. old Katahdn himself,
lifting his massive shoulders like a living
giant far above his fellows.
So far as the site is concerned, l con-
fidently challenge comparison with any
other. 1t is simply ideal. and this is NJ
small matter, when we consider the edu-
cational and psychological effect of i'm
mediate surroundings. especially upon i'm
questionable youth.
Another reason why Dexter commends
itself to the favor of an expert, unbiasse I
commission as splendid location for a
normal school, is because it is large
enough to afford all the essentials and
not too large. 1t has growing free pub.
lie library of more than 50O volumes,
housed in an architectural gem which
cost the generous donor $4,000 1t has
seven church edifices. occupied by differ.
ent denominations. affording opportunity
for students to attend the church which
they prefer, and to which they may be ac-
customed. 1t has an ample number of
good homes into which students will be
welcomed at very reasonable rates. II
has a good system of electric lights AMI
a system of graded schools with 500 pu-
pills. and a population rapidly adding 10
the number, all ready for the expert
mental practice work of The normal stu
dents. Besides the town wants the school
and will receive It with the utmost cor
diality and good will.
Citizens have already pledged $500, Sc
cured by one man in one day. to pay for
lot, sewerage. library and apparatus, ana
water service from springs 12s feet above
the main floor of the proposed building.
If necessary. individual citizens will do
more. and the town in its corporate ca
pacity will doubtless meet any reasona ole
requirement of the State.
Senators, standing as We do on the vast
border-land of that glorious Twentieth
Century, of which Victor Hugo and al
the seers, prophets and poets Of the Nine
teenth Century have dreamed and sung,
let us catch the spirit Of that century and
let ms provide for the more widespread
instruction of our youth along rational,
natural and philosophical lines, and fol.
the doing of an act of simple Justice,
heretofore denied to a great section, by
planting normal school at The place
pointed out to. us by the commission, In
the very center of our State in the midst
Of a waiting people, who will nurture,
sustain and use it.
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN of Lincoln: Mr..
President and gentlemen. it is not my
purpose at this time to offer any ex-
tended remarks in relation to this ques-
ti0n. but perhaps common duty wofld
require that should state briefly the
position of the majority of this com
mittee touching the matter under dis
cussion.
1t has been one of my regrets In con-
nection with this case that l have been
obliged to differ from my eloquent
friend from PenObscot upon the ques-
ton of the establishment of this school.
1t is with no enmity whatever upon my
part, or upon the part of the majority
of this committee. neither Is 1t with
any feeling toward that beautiful town
in penobscot county. which has sup
ported and sustained my eloquent