Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-23

business and to deal accurately with those
details. and this would never be possible
unless there were 4 definite basis of op-
Grafton. and that definite basis is what Is
utterly lacking in the Augusta schools.
The existing method or conducting our
schools is not good business policy, and
it is distinctly bad educational policy
The states of Iowa. Illinois, Indiana,
Michigan and Wisconsin have all within
recent years given up the many district
system and adopted what we may call
the unit system, which is only another
way of saying that their schools are all
on common basis. The reports from
these states show that the change is
| cheaper from the standpoint of dollars
and cents. And certainly Augusta can
not affort to fly in the face Of the expe
rience of other states that have tried
both ways and have found that the bal
| ance turns in favor of the plan here pro
posed.
! think that everybody must admit that
the proposed change would be better than
the plan under which the city has been
for so many years, but still there il the
hesitation to take the plunge.
The only objections that I have heard
against the proposed plan are these: FIJI ST.
that it would involve an increase in taxes.
Taking the suggestions given it will be an
easy matter TO figure out the matter and
i am confident that the objection will
have to fall because the facts do not
support it
The second argument against the
change advanced by some is that the
schools in this or that particular district
are good enough as they are. and there
fore the taxpayer in that fortunate To-
cality will not favor any new plan. even
though he is convinced that it would be
better for his less fortunate neighbor
Gentlemen. such an argument as that is
pure selfishness. and l would be unwilling
to believe that any citizen of this city
could ever be so blinded by local preju-
dice or bias as to lend his influence to
block n movement which knew in his
heart would he for the distinct advantage
of his entire city.
The third argument which I have heard
advanced by the opponents of the plan
is one that l almost blush To mention
1t is this: That if the proposed plan were
adopted, politics would creep in and the
position of superintendent of schools
would be plum to he annually pluckcd
from the tree municipal Gentlemen. |
have too much confidence in the sound
commonsense. the sagacty and the inteE
rity of the citizens of this city TO ever
give such an argument that any
rious thought.
The whole question is one that should
be viewed from the broad ground of a
common cityhood. 1T is not a question Of
what is for the best interest of this
ticn that section. but what is for the
best interest of the city as whole. from
its northern to its southern and from its
eastern to its western limits
The matter is one of too great import
ance to pass by UNDECIDED. and l trust
that it will receive the careful and serious
consideration at your hands that 1t de-
serves. May the day be not far distant
when Augusta will take the step out and
forward into line with other cities that
have long ago taken the step.
I was glad to hear that the mayor in
his inaugural address, this morning called
attention to the very point that ] have
attempted to bring out, and in closing |
wish to quote one sentence from his most
admirable message. Coming from man
who has had so broad experience not
only in the schools Of this city but also in
the schools of the State at large the sug-
gcstion should carry with II special sig
nificance. He says: Il suggest as a mat
ter of serious consideration that it would
be in the interest of economy IN expend-
ture. and for the general betterment of
the schools. if they could all be united
under one controlling board Greater uni
ty of action uniformity of work and n
larger responsibility on the part Of all
concerned would result from the change"
Miss Sarah Hathorne. daughter OF
DIR. and Mrs. Geo. +. Hathorne. was
taken to the City hospital. Monday af-