Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-01-08

thing In your power to attain so desirable
q result.
Appropriations.
The people confidently expect that the
promise of economy in public expenditures
will be fulfilled; and the party which has
been entrusted with the management OF
State affairs will be held stSictly responsi-
BILE for any excessive or unwlse appropria'
tions. II Is for you to determine what sums
ara necessary for the reasonable require
mehts Of the various State departments
and institutions, and what aid shall be
judgment, should receive Legislative assist
ance and encouragement Not dollar more
than is required for the efficient admins
tratlon Of the public service should De ap-
propriated.
These various matters, I am persuaded
will receive your most earnest considera
tion. While there Is no call for parsimony'
am confident that you Will always eAer
else your judgment. fearlessly and consci-
entiously. In the expenditure of the peo-
pies money. and that you will refuse 10
grant needless or unwise appropriations as
unhesitatngly as you will vote. them 70
objects worthy Of promotion and support
Education.
The report of the Superintendent Of Pub
lie Schools shows constant ana gratIy-
Ing advancement In our educational inter,
ests. The total amount OF the state scnool
fund and mill tax for the current year was
raised by the towns was ssls,OO1; total
Of S1,33S.020 available for the support OF
the common schools, as compared WIN
$910.523 for the same purpose In 1851 an
increase Of s427 ,497 or nearly forty-seven
The Normal Schools are doing most ex-
cellent work, and the Importance OF nav,
Ing teachers thoroughly instructed and
trained in their duties Is being recognized
fsaSl, by s As0St Norma hry School gfsdaate fsd
There are 722 school children In thirty
three unorganized townships. for whom
schools are maintained as provided by the
statutes. at cost, during the past year;
from the State appropriation. S96956 was
interest on land reserved, and $1,000 the
per capita tax.
The pupils In these schools range from
five to twenty-one years or age. ana, III
several Instances. married men and women
have taken advantage Of the opportunities
thus offered to obtain an education.
1t Is unnecessary for me to call your at
tention to the important work being done
by such schools. But for their existence.
many of the children now enjoying their
advantages would grow up In Ignorance:
and much larger per cent Of them would
ultimately become a public charge. The
furnishing OF such instruction Is In har'
mony with the established policy II the
Stnte TO pTOVlue SCHOOL privileges ioi
As rule, the people are anxious to have
the schools established. the children are
prompt and regular In their attendance
and apply themselves with great Industry
to their tasks. The good work which Is be:
ing done by the schools Of this class should
be extended and made more efficient IL the
State Is TO do Its duty to that portion OF
Its citizens dependent upon 1t for educa-
tional advantages.
The special appropriations made for the
nd artn
present year; and II these appropriations
are to be continued, | am inclined To the
opinion that they should be made perma'
nent. under certain definite restrictions.
having a Jealous and skillful advocate In
the Legislature may be able to secure a
liberal appropriation In excess OF Its actual
requirements: while another. equally wor.
thy but less fortunate, must be content
with comparatively small amount, The
number OF pupils receiving instruction
should always be considered. and ! doubt
the wisdom of assisting In maintaining an
academy In a section of the State where
Ii Is an injustice TO the State to allow
any OF these academies to use the amount
appropriated In increasing their endow
ment, instead Of providing more and better
instrr ction 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
lie schools. The children, teachers and pa
rents are assisting In improving and en-
is rging school grounds. beautifying school.
rooms and providing books OF art and
standard ntefaStl' o,o .,,o.. ,,.,.
has been yery extensive anaa nd gratifying II
has greatly stimulated general lGt.fe.St IN
the schools, promoted harmony In manasHe
ment, and resulted in much better work
being done by all concerned.
The teachers Institutes and summer
schools have not only improved the gen
eral 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
and thus enabled them to acquire the
scholarly attainments necessary to the
highest success In their calling.
The University of Maine.
The State University is in prosperous
condition. having about 36O students, OF
OF this State. Its most popular courses
are those In engineering. and the best
equipped those In agriculture but the
scope of its work Is Of the very broadest
character, and also includes a classical
course. a similar course without Greek, IA
scientific course without Latin and Greek,
a course In preparation for medicine, and
courses in chemistry and pharmacy. The
School of Law, located In Bangor. has been
well received. and is gaining the approval
of those well qualified TO judge Of its work.
Nearly two-thirds OF the income Of the
University Is derived from the General
the remainder being provided
by the State. 1t having been the policy Of
the State to reduce students expenses as
much as possible, the receipts from this
arti trpg
tees have used the funds available TO Sc.
cure teachers, apparatus and facilities for
rather than to construct large
and expensive buildings. and have been
governed by the restrictions OF the United
of any part OF these funds for the erection
or repair Of buildings.
During the past two years the trustees
sium, now nearly finished. which will b.
paid for by private subscriptions, and IL Is
Understood that the Legislature Will not be
asked for any assistance In Its completion.
An astronomical observatory has also been
built, and large telescope set up. The
e0ulpment In electrical engineering and Inv.
the natural sciences has been largely In.
creased, and the buildings Of the agricultu.
raj department have received extensive re.
pairs and additions.
The trustees in their report will urge the
erection OF a building for the department
of mechanical and electrical engineering,
to contain recitation rooms, drawing
rooms, iron working and carpenter shops.
a foundry and forge shops. They state that
the building now In use was erected when
the University had comparatively small
number of students; that 1t Is a cheap
wooden structure inadequate for the pur-
nose. and In bad repair: and that no ap.
proprlation for the erection Of a building
has been made for ten years. although
since that time tho number Of teachers and
InlSpaSpd ha
equipment Of the University Is thoroughly
creditable and II unquestiOnably affords an
exceptional opportunity for young men and
women to secure TN education at a very
its interests careful attention, and take
such action as the needs of the Institution
and the financial condition OF the State
seem to warrant.
Agriculture.
Agriculture will always be our most i'm
portant industry. 1t gives employment and
and whatever serves to advance its inter.
ests and bring greater prosperity to our
farming communities Is q benefit to the
whole State. The growth Of our cities and
travel eemnr sta
Maine every year have created better home
markets for our farm products: but the
great resources Of the State are not yet
fully appreciated. The constant develop
ment OF our magnificent water power,
much of which has never been utilized, and
the more general adoption OF improved
methods Of agriculture. must result In still
greater prosperity In the years to come.
The influence Of the Grange has been a
potent factor In the advancement OF our
agricultural interests, and has added great.
u to the pleasure and profit OF farm life
The Board Of Agriculture is doing work
Of inestimabie value and Importance. Inc
large number of farmers Institutes, whlcn
have been held during the past year, nave
everywhere been well attended, and great
interest has been manifested In this WORK
by tie farmers of the State, who nave
given It their cordial support: ! am per,