Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-23
DAILY KENNEBEC JoURNAL THURSDAY FEBRUARY % 1899

tHey must go Tar Dey0nO the boundary
OF the State of Maine-or northeast.
SO that article cannot possibly apply
to the Arson Academy: and the gem
fleman who represents the other acad-
envy (Mr. Gardner) undoubtedly can
speak a word In its defense IL neces-
sary.
Now, gentlemen. l was raised In q
back town. l had desire to receive
an education, and had it not been for
one of these academies which the gem
ueman from Dresden has attacked. /
might not have received that encour-
agement which / did for the little
learning which I received. Now that
academy at North Arson is first class
academy. Students in that academy
Mt for college and enter Bowdoin.
There are two in Bowdoin college in
the freshman class that entered from
Arson academy. and one in the senior
class. Now I believe that we owe
something to that town, for 1t was only
last spring. the day after graduation,
that the principal of that school. Pro-
lessor Poor, enlisted in defence Of the
Old flag, and left the pleasant village
of North Arson, his home, his family,
and went to the South, and was
brought back and buried in the village
cemetery. I believe we owe something
to that town. We owe something to
the students and the people OF that
place. something to the scholars who
have an inspiration to receive a better
education than they now have; and the
old academies are the bridges over
- rs,,l., h,,xy
passed to broader fields of usefulness;
and l trust gentlemen. that this mo-
ton will not prevail. (Applause)
Mr.. CHICK of Clifton: l shall have
to disagree with the gentleman from
Hollis lMr. BennetD when he refers to
the little country schoolhouse as a
farce. One of those institutions was
the only privilege l had of obtaining an
education. l never had the opportun-
ity of attending an academy or a High
school. My town was unable to afford
a High school: it always has been ever
since: but some of my neighbors' sons.
who are more fortunate than I was,
were permitted to go out and get an
academic education. and l am glad to-
day that they have that privilege.
like to agree with my friend from
Dresden (Mr McFadden) as far as
can. He has stood up here in the past,
in his honest integrity and battled for
theory and a principal which. per-
haps, to great degree ! believe to be
right. ! believe that some of his re-
marks are very interesting literature
for many of the people of this State to
read; but 1 cannot agree with his posi-
ton. today. or with the gentleman from
Hollis, or with any other man who may
speak against an appropriation for any
educational institution in the State of
Maine.
We recognize this day as the ami
versary of the birth of the Father of
this county and / hope that the citi-
Zens of this country will always foster
educational institutions. and grant to
the people every aid possible to make
intelligent citizens. 1t has been in the
past the policy of this State to foste:
education and l believe ii would be an
unwise thing and bad policy and a
great mistake for the Legislature of
Maine, on Washington's birthday, to
attack the educational institutions of
Maine. | hope that this matter will
not receive any setback by any of the
representatives in this body. ZAP
plause.)
Mr. PEASLEE of Wiscasset think
| can hardly sit still and let this dis
cussion go on without putting in a
word. AS a member of the committee
on education l am very happy to say
that l voted in favor of reporting
ought to pass on these resolves. Now.
Mr.. Speaker and gentlemen l believe
the committee on education is made up
of as intelligent and thoughtful men as
sit on the floor of this House. with the
exception of myself. 1 believe that
committee is capable of hunting into
these things that the Maine Farmer
has been able to see that we could not
l believe that that committee is just
as capable of settling this matter as
are few gentlemen of this House who
are opposed to academies will be if
these matters are tabled for three or
four days. This committee has ex-
amined these matters. 1t has examined
very carefully. and it has not voted
that they ought to pass without know
ing what they We're, will assure you
of that.
out the academies in this State, where
are the poor country boys going to get
an education? | was a poor country
boy myself. Thank God had chance
To get little learning at an academy
very little, but what | know got
in that way. l could not afford to go
10 the Coburn Classical Institute: and
I will venture the assertion that three
fourths of the men in this House, when
boys. could not afford to go there.
Those schools are all right but a poor
boy cannot go there, and the gentle
men on the floor of this House know
that they cannot go there. The poor
boy has to start in an academy in the
country, and just before he starts he
takes off his shoes and stockings. he
puts them under his arm and starts for
school, and just before he gets there he
goes and washes his feet in some pud-
die. puts his shoes and stockings on
and braces up and goes into the AGA
DENY. He does that to save his shoes
and stockings: and | can name to you
gentleman, if ii is necessary. as able
lawyer as stands at the bar of Ken
nebec county today. who was obliged
to pursue that course to get his edu-
cation at Monmouth academy. ] tell
you. gentlemen. that the academies are