The Republican journal., 1903-01-15

ii,r ~. ,i.
reports t st that there were 21S53s persons Of
school age. in the state on April lst, 1902
6G634 teachers were employed, OF WHOM whom
There were 124 free high schools, with 49,
2s3 pupils enrolled.
1t is gratifying to know that the parents
izens generally, are taking a greater inter-
est In school work, and that much Is con-
stanty being done in the improvement OF
school grounds and buildings, and to make
the schools in every possible way more at
tractive and efficient.
The state school fund and mill tax the
past year amounted to 1862, ,461. The school
the amount derived from various local re
sources. s3s,o42, making the. total amount
available for the support of the common
l recommend that the state school funds
be apportioned on the basis Of average at
tendance. instead of on the basis of the
tv-cne years of age in the different towns
and cities. 1t is only right that the state
should so distribute these funds as to make
the wisest use of them, and in a way that
of practical good. For this reason the al
lotment should be based not upon the
number Of persons of school age, but rather
uuon the number actually attending our
public schools and receiving inst sruction
therein.
| believe that such change In the law
would work to the benefit of our common
schools, and l trust this matter. will re-
ceive your early and careful consideration.
Our academies. seminaries. and institutes
have the largest attendance in their history.
The children in the rural and village com
munities at the present time show more
ardent desire for a higher education than
was evinced by the boys and girls in the
DAYS when many of these institutions were
quent distinguished careers did so much to
give prestige to their state We're laying the
foundation OF future greatness.
The normal schools have increased their
standards of admission. and as result the
students are better trained. These schools
are in most satisfactory condition in every
way. and are making constant progress and
improvement.
The summer training schools are attended
by large proportion of our teachers, from
which they derive many advantages. The
teachers Institutes which have been large
ly attended, have afforded parents teach
ers, students and school officials an oppor-
tunty to discuss the various questions re
lating to the work Of the schools, and have
been of inestimable value.
Under the provisions of the will of the
late Cecil Rhodes; two, students from this
state may have the advantage Of scholar
slips at Oxford University, England, and
receive 81 800 each year during residence
there of three years.
A small appropriation may he necessary
to enabl" the state to take advantage of
the opportunity thus offered.
The general law providing for aid to to
1901 appears to have fulfilled the expecta-
tions of its advocates, and has apparently
proved an effective remedy for the evils
previously existing, while at the same time
giving aid to many worthy and deserving
institutions which are doing splendid work
in the various towns in which they are sit
uated.
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE.
During the past year there. has been a
tending the State University. The condi-
tion of this institution seems entirely salts
factory. from every point OF view.
One hundred and sixty new students en-
tered the university in the fall Of 1902.
every county in the state being now repre-
sentcd. There are twenty-three students
from outside the state. nineteen being from
Massachusetts two from New Hampshire.
one from New Jersey and one from Rhode
Island. OF the freshman class, one hun
dred and one students entered upon tech
Meal courses. including agriculture. The
number of students in the institution pur-
suing technical studies is two hundred and
sixty-seven. Twenty-nine new students en-
attendance in this department
large percentage of the students are
seeking to obtain an education by their own
efforts, and are wholly or partially self
The building containing the drillhall,
chapel gymnasium and administrative Of
fees. which was built by the subscriptions
tirely paid for. 1t is most excellent and
serviceahle building, and the work of the
university would have been seriously Grip
pied had it not been constructed.
1t has been the policy OF the institution
to provide instruction in every line Of prac-
tical work. Courses in mining and marine
engineering have been added. and special
work In forestry has been begun
The trustees recommend the erection of
building which will serve as a mechanical
laboratory. shops for iron and wood work
for an appropriation for this purpose and
l am sure the needs of the university,
which is doing excellent work in the edu-
cation Of our youth. will receive your most
careful consideration.
ELECTIONS.
Our present ballot law is manifestly de-
fectiye in some important details. 1t
should he simplited and made so clear and
plain in all of its provisions that every
citizen can understand it 1t frequently
happens that election officers. through a
misunderstanding of the law. fail to count
ballots which should be included in their
Of citizens lose their votes by reason of
their failure to mark their ballots in ac-
cordance with the strict requirements of
man should lose his ballot by reason of
mere technicalty. when his intent is so
clearly expressed as to be evident to ALL
The right of suffrage. which is the high
est privilege of citizenship. is the very
foundation of our form of government
Justice demands that the law Should be so
modified that every man may exercise his
franchise according to his own views and
wishes, without endangering his ballot
l commend this matter to your careful
consideration and trust you will enact such
changes in the law as will render 1t more
easily understood, while preserving every
essential feature Of its present provisions.
PRIMARY ELECTIONS.
Every safeguard of the general election
should be placed about the caucus. Our
present system Is liable to grave abuse,
and l earnestly recommend and urge the
enactment of a direct primary law which
will more completely preserve the purity of
the ballot, and under severe penalties pre-
vent the members Of one party from par
ticipating in the caucuses Of another. The
necessity for some action is so apparent as
t. make comment on my part unnecessary.
There have been so many instances Of II.
regular practices in the primaries that some
direct ard controlling legislation is i'm
perativey demanded.
THE PROHIBITORY LAW.
An awakened public sentiment among the
people Of Maine demands a more complete
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