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

ing as a dormitorv at all. The cottage
| plan has been demonstrated to be Dv far
| the best for the welfare and Improvement
Many Of these boys are merely the victims
of poverty and parental neglect, and are
frieisiless rather than criminal often
times being sent to the school on account
Of truancy, or some minor oRense scarcely
more serious In Its character.
1t II the duty Of the State to do every
| thing possible to improve the condition OF
these unfortunate children. to encourage
them in right doing. and to lead them into
self-reliant and useful citizens. Irrespect.
i've of the sentiment Of humanity, the care
full training Of these boys Is In the Interest
Of true economy and sound public policy.
At comparatively small cost the main
building could be put In good repair, and II
Is we'll adapted for schooIrooms. work
rooms, and the general purposes OF the In
stituton recommend such q, IN apprepria
ton for this work rs In your judgment may
seem wisest and best.
Maine Industrial School for Girls.
The Report Of the Trustees of the Maine
Industrial School for Girls shows that
there are 1876 girls now under the care OF
school, IA are out at board. A are working
for their board and AZ are receiving wages.
Ii will thus be seen that more than half
of the number are self -sustaining. The
ness and neatness, the laws of health. how
to do homework In all Its branches, how to
knit and sew and make garments, and the
common English branches. such as are
on the 9th Of February last, Flagg-
Dummer Hall, which was destroyed BY hre
In the winter Of 1899, was again ready for
occupancy, greatly relieving the crowded
oath, Erskine Hall was burned, together
with the small building to the north,
known as the office, the fire spreading so
RAPIDLY that little Of the furnishings Of the
building or the personal snects OF the In.
amount aInoeS Of si1,S75.Oo has been paid,
S66S7 so going to the treasury OF the
school. and $i9S7.50 Into the State treas.
ury. This latter sum can become available
for rebuilding only through an appropria-
tion by the Legislature.
THE burning of this building made 81
girls homeless. They were Immediately pro-
yIded for by being taken into other build
ings, and within three weeks % Of them
were placed in private homes. Board was
secured for fifteen of them under twelve
wears OF age at a price 80 moderate as to
Increase but slightly the expense of their
care to the State.
The policy OF placing In private families
Younger girls who have committed no Of
Tense. but are unfortunate In having NO
suitable homes Of their own, has been fol:
nav be worthy Of imitation In our own.
You will be asked for an appropriation
10 aid In rebuilding Erskine Hall, the
amount received for Insurance being insult
ficlent for this purpose. You will also be
asked to provide for further improvements
which seem necessary to nut the instltu
item in creditable condition.
The school is doing an important work
and its various needs WILL ! am sure, re-
ceiye your careful attention.
Other Departments.
The reports of the State Assessors, the
Railroad Commissioner. tho !rsura lee Com
missioner, the Commissioner Of Industrial
and Labor Statistics, the Secretary of the
State Board of Health, and Of oth"r Sta,
denartments, as we'll as of the trustees Of
tho various State institutions, II! :lva
Won In detail an account Of their work and
requirements. 1t will BE- your duty IL G
condition Of every institution ard dDuarf
ment. and to determine what amour Is az
reasonably necessary for their prone
maintenance and support. ! trust You vii;
that seems unwise or unnecessary ana
that expenditures will be reduced -wherevc'
this is consistent with efficient service. Our
Institutions and various governmental de-
and the State Is most fortunate In having
faithful and competent men In her publ
service. But 1t Is none the less your duty
to thoroughly inform yourself In all these
derstandingly. and not rely uDon the iud--
mept and opinion Of others. 1t is also due
10 those who have earnestly and zealously
devoted their best efforts to the service of
the State. that you should give them the
advantage Of your counsel and judgment,
that ali NAV work together for the com.
mon interest and the common good.
Conclusion.
| wish to assure you Of my earnest de.
sire to cooperate with you In every meas |
the State and the welfare and prosperity |
Of Its people, The noble example Of those |
high-minded and patriotic men, whose de- |
voted and unseltsh public service In the
past makes so many Of the proudest pages
In our history, should inspire us to dis
charge with honor and credit the difficult |
and Important duties devoiving upon U.S. u
foresight and judiclOus economy so essen |
tial to the success Of private enterprise |
our success Is assured and though Gil may
not endorse the result Of our efforts, we
should be satisfied with the work accom- |
plished II our own judgment and conscience
approve.
record OF the past. and that your efforts |
will result In great permanent Dement, to
the State, permit me to remind you Of the |
Importance and necessity Of beginning upon
the work before you as soon as possible,
thus avoiding the danger OF hasty and Ill
considered legislation In the busy closing |
weeks Of the session.
trust that you Will find your duties
pleasant and agreeable. and that when the |
work Of the session has been accomplished
you may have the proud satisfaction which |
comes from q duty conScientiously per-
formed. and a trust faithfully discharged.