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

enable them to obtaia good situations.
and ultimately. perhaps, any situation,
and hence they win seek ia obtain such
training in increased numbers. Indeed, this
10 just what has happened In Massachu.
sets, as q result OF the establishment of
the three new normal schools In 1897. Not
only was the attendance at the new
schools beyond all expectation. but the
attendance at the old schools was in ev-
cry case handsomely increased. the In
crease ranging from 10 at Bridgewater to
IS at Salem.
Mr.. President, during the most prosper
GUS term of our several normal schools
In 1885, the total number Of students In
attendance from Franklin county, with a
normal school in its midst. was IS, or I
to each 1000 of population. while the total
number from Penobscot county, which Is
situated remote from any normal school.
was 81, or 4.1O. of for each 1860 of popn-
lation, while the total attendance from
Piscataquis county. remote from any nor
NAL school, was 8, or $40 OF Ito each 1000
of population.
This proves that In Maine, as in Massa-
chusetts. normal schools draw their stu
dents largely from tributary and contigu-
Gus territory, and 1t shows the surprising
fact that Franklin county, the seat OF one
OF our most prosperous normal schools,
has from 8 to 10 times as many normal
school students per head OF population as
have Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.
which are remote from any normal
school, Penobscot and Piscntaquis. east
arr, 0fSvS ntx Nynt.a 10
their fun proportion of taxes toward the
support Of the normal schools of the
State now In operation, and submit that
1t Is not just nor fair to them. nor well
for the cause Of educarion. for them to 60
on year after year receiving only from
is to 40 as much advantage from the
expenditure Of the money as does their
sister county Of Franklin. rs
Besides, Individual teachers from these
counties who do attend normal schools,
are subjected to heavy travelling ex-
penses, from which their brothers and
sisters OF Franklin county are exempt
And what Is true of Penobscot and Pts
cataqliis Is equally true OF AroostOok and
Washington Understand me. l. do not
complain that Franklin receives TOO
MUCH would not take away one iota
from her, but Penobscot, Pscataquis
eastern Somerset. Aroostook and Wash
ingtOn should receive more.
think have said enough to show that
due consideration for the welfare of our
schools. as we'll as common Justice to the
teachers and the tax payers OF central
Maine. demands the immediate establish
ment OF a normal school at such place
90 vn,fn nh nA
cataqnls counties and the eastern part of
Somerset and northern part OF Waldo
besides afYording reasonably good accom-
modations to AroostoSk until such time
as a school shall be established in her
midst, as it ought to be.
Mr.. President, at what point had such
school best be located? l say in the large
thriving and picturesque village of Dex-
ter. and in this opinion do not believe l
am unduly Influenced by the fact that I
happen to reside there, and this belief Is
strengthened by the fact that others with
special qualifications for forming wise
conclusions in the matter agree with me.
The last Legislature provided for COM
mission to investigate the whole matter
Of new normal schools and report to this
Legislature the results OF their invest.ga-
tons with such recommendations as they
should deem II their duty to make.
The Governor wisely appointed as men,
bers of this commission practical men,
who have always been in touch and sym
pathy with the common schools, and they
did more tnan to discharge their duties in
perfunctory way. They did not have
their opinions fixed in advance. and did
more than simply to come to Augusta,
shut themselves up in room and evolve
from their inner consciousness in the
shape of a report their own preconceived
opinions, notions. theories and prejudices
about the matter.
They believed the duty Of a commission
appointed to investigate was to inyes,i-
gate, and they did make thorough inves-
tigation, patiently hearing all who had
facts or suggestions to offer, and visiting
and seeing for themselves such places as
were putting forward their claims and
advantages as locations for new schools.
Hence their conclusions are of value and
ought to have great weight with this
Legislature. They reported an urgent
demand for three new normal schools,
and recommended that The one for central
Maine to accommodate Penobscot. Piscat-
aquis, eastern Somerset and northern
waldo counties be located at Dexter.
Why at Dexter?
For one reason, because Dexter is stu
ated on the connecting link between the
Maine. Central Railroad system on the
south and the Canadian Pacific and Ban
gor &, Aroostoek systems on the north,
with trains running each way, morning
and evening. at convenient times for
those teachers on the line Of the railroads
who may wish to attend the normal
school and board at home: and because,
within a radius of 40 miles from Dexter.
or one days drive with the family horse
for farmers boys and girls. VINO wish TO
attend normal school at the lowest pos
sible cost, and must, If they attend at
all. is a population Of more than 100000.
now remote from normal schools ana con-
sequently with few representatives in
them.
why, senators. there il not the least
doubt that that splendid typical New
England population. with it's young men
and women hungry for knowledge. will
send to new normal school at the very
beginning Of its operation at least $50 as
bright pupils as ever were enrolled in
such a school. and this without with