Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-01-04

l.hm am confident that every irtora.te Ion y,
Win fo,, rs "a,, as cornorate viii he dnoi,
VIII Win iairlv ana Justly. and thar ns ueai'
suit of your deliberations vo,, 'a' as re-
iate some LEGISLATION 10 more nao,.,l Wi. iorm'
izcns ''oh among our cit
1t Is not probable that Won ,.;,, J..
10 frame measures that vii, ha pr ap,p
aoo'e criticism. No system Of top,t,pr LILY III
ever Eyer, yet been devised that rcoIized tho
% sIf"i oy bearing with absolute eouitv unn,,
ever viii no, "i property. This fact, how
49,, Wii not deter You from doing every.
q result. ~ "''aih So desirable
Appropriations.
me people confidently exnact that tho
Vii rii',se h oL economy in public expenditures
nnn WI, DC tuihiled; and the party which has
Stat. aTa:rs with the management of
e pie Tor any excessive or unwise sn,rpnria-
@ a,ohs. IL is FOR you to determine what sums
me,,n nnH necessary for the reasonable require
and IN rstit,tii 81 ,le various State departments
cirar iu@s,itutlons. - and what aid shall be
Eneu E,. 10 such other objects as. in your
Juusment, should receive lcgislative assist
thar di,u encouragement. Not dollar more
,nan Is required for the efficient adminis-
tration OF the public service should ba n
propriated e A'"-" " "p
vii, hcse various matters, I am persuaded.
tinn WbiHe your most earnest considera-
a,.a am conlaent that you will always exer-
clse your Judgment. fearlessiy and consci
nIa.s nhI,.,ouaH. sly, IN the expenditure Of the peo-
grant needless or unwise appronrio tions nc
ohinat hnineti."@.lhgiy @ as you will vote them to
ooJects worthy Of promotion and support.
Education.
II ne report of the Superintendent of Pub
nc schools shows constant and ratifv
nags anS a4rrtahcement rt in our educational inter
rrsts; me total amount of the State school
su sund ana mill tax for the current wear was
S'.o'oi?' the amount of school money
nf dfisea 6 by Dy the The towns was sS1S.O01 total
OF Sl3''S.o2O available for the sunport Of
me common schools, as COMPARED with
s9io.'23 Tor the same purpose in 1880. an
increase OF S427,49I or nearly forty-seven
per cent.
The Normal Schools are doing most ex-
csellent work. and the Importance of hav-
ing tns u3 teachers n thoroughly instructed aud
trained hr nIi in their duties is being recognized
teachers are Normal School graduates.
Ihere are I22 school children in thirty
three % unorganized townships. for whom
Schools are maintained as provided by the
statutes. 81 s at cost; during the past year.
OF S23s2.l3. OF this. $12S05T was raid
from the State appropriation S96g SO was
per capita tax.
The pupils in these schools range from
hve to twenty-one years of age. and. in
several Instances married men and women
nave taken advantage of the opportunities
thus offered to obtain an education.
1t is unnecessary for me to call your at
,Phtion to The important work being done
many of the children now ENJOYING their
advantages would grow up in ignorance
ana much larger per cent of them would
Ultimately become public charge The
furnishing of such instruction is in har-
mony with the established policy if the
state (" provide school privileges for all
As rule; the people are anxious to have
the schools established. the children are
prompt and regular in their attendance
and appiy themselves with great industry
10 their tasks. The good work which is be
ing done bv tie schools of this class should
he extended and made more efficient if the
State is to do its duty to that norton OF
its citizens dependent upon it for educa-
tional advantages.
The special approximations made for the
academies and seminaries lapse with the
present year and ii these appropriations
are to b. continued, | am inclined to the
opinion that they should be made perma-
nent. under certain definite restrictions.
| nder existing circumstances, school
having Jealous and shilful advocate in
the Legislature may be able 10 secure !,
liberal appropriation in excess OF its actual
requirements whie another, equally wor-
thy but less fortunate. must be content
with a comparatively small amount. The
grade OF the school maintained and the
number of pupils receiving instruction
should always be considered. and 1 doubt
the wisdom OF assisting in maintaining an
academy in Z section OF the State where
high schools of high grade are provided.
1t Is an injustice 70 the State TO allow
any of these academies to use the amount
appropriated in Increasing their endow.
ment, instead of providing more and better
instruction to the pupils who attend them
and under no circumstances should the sum
appropriated for such institutions be taken
from the fund provided for the common
schools.
1t is exceedingly gratifying that so strong
an interest is being manifested in the pub
liz schools. The children, teachers and pa
rents are assisting in improving and en-
larging school grounds. beautifying school
rooms and providing books OF art and
The work accomplished along these lines
has been very extensive and gratifying. 1t
has greatly stimulated general interest in
the schools, promoted harmony in manage
n,ent, and resulted in much better work
being done by all concerned.
The teachers institutes and summer
cral character of the instruction in our
state, but. to an extent that was not an
ticipated, have stimulated teachers to at
tend our higher institutions Of learning.
scholarly attainments necessary to the
highest success in their calling.
The University of Maine.
The State University is in prosperous
condition. having about 800 students, OF
whom more than six-sevenths are residents
of this State. Its most popular courses
are those in engineering. and the best
equipped these IN agriculture: but the
scope OF its work is OF the very broadcast
character and also includes classical
course. Il similar course without Greek, a
scientific course without Latin and Greek
q course in preparation for medicine, and
courses in chemistry and pharmacy. The
School of Law. located in Bangor, has been
well received, ard is gaining the approyot
of those well qualified TO judge of its work.
Nearly two-tlrds of the income of the
University is derived from the Genera!
Government, the remainder being provided
by the State. ii having been the policy OF
the State to reduce students expenses as
much as possible, the receipts from this
source are comparatively small. The trus-
tees have used the funds available to Sc
cure teachers. apparatus and facilities tor
instruction. rather than to construct large
and expensive buildings. and have been
governed by the restrictions Of the United
States appropriations which forbid the use
OF any part Of these funds for the erection
or rcTair OF buildings.
During the past two years the trustees
have constructed Il drill hall and a gymna-
stun, now nearly finished. which will De
paid for by private subscriptions. and it is
Understood that the Legislature will not pc
asked for any assistance in its completion.
90 ,lcpIVn tDTy has also been