Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-18
satisfied with anything but a square

satisfied with anything but a square
| deal
One matter that is proper for refer
ence III this report, 2s it has caused
much newspaper discussion, is the ac-
ton which was taken by the Grange
| in regard to the removal Of the state
| Capitol 10 Portland, as it suddenly ap-
pIarCd before the Legislature last win
ter, and your representatives consd-
cred the matter of sufficient import
ancc to call attention to the members
everywhere in the State, as it had not
been spoken Of before the Legisla ture
convened in session. Your committee
was not hired by any one. as has been
intiinated. We took the stand that I'M
der the existing inequalities in taxa
ton there We're many things of vastly
more importance to the State than the
construction of Il new State House. eS-
peciaily before the people Of the State
had time or opportunity to consider
such an important step. The claim
was made that it would cost the State
but S500,COO. as the people of Portland
were to pay the balance of the $1,250,
900 necessary to complete the structure
have taken pains to ascertain the cost
Of state houses in other states and
| find but one--that Of Connecticut
which was built within the estimated
cost, and that cost $3.50, 900, or $4,000
less than the estimate exclusive of the
price of the lot. We do not believe a
new State House for Maine will cost
any less, but If the State had once
been committed to the act. it would
II I,nI LII
might be, and the practically unani-
nous remonstrance of the members of
the order is the best evidence that they
We're not in favor of the scheme. There
is no doubt that the attitude Of the
Grange killed the movement at that
time, and if ii appears again the people
will be better Informed in regard to
the matter.
The founders of our order wisely
mace education one of the corner
stones Of the structure. and incorpor-
ated this clause in the Declaration of
Purposes, I'VE shall advance the cause
of education among ourselves and for
OF! children by all just means in our
power. Since education is a cardi-
nai principle of the Grange it is to
the Grange more than to any other
force in country life that we must look
for assistance in improving the rural
schools of our State. Among educators
today two distinct views are held re-
garding the subject. matter in which
pupils arc trained. One class contends
| that the only way in which pupils can
become really educated is by passing
the so-called cultural studies which
ell n.v f,rr
speech. These cultural subjects form
| ed the major portion of every course of
study IN the schools of the past.
Classics ana literature, combined with
mathematics cover the essential
requisites Of the advocates Of this kind
Of education. On the other hand there
| is n rapidly increasing number of peo-
pie who believe that the evolution of
modern life has forced upon us new
problems in education, especially edu-
cation for country life. The indus
trial life Of our forefathers was Of
srch character that education for the
workman or the farmer was not ne
cessity. What need was there n CEN
try ago, for knowledge of steam or
| electricity, or mechanical engineering?
What call was there for q knowledge
of soil chemistry or plant breeding or
animal, industry? Today those posi-
tons requiring skilled brains as well as
skilled hands might be multiplied in
definitely. The cultural education of
the past century was intended for gem
| tlemen, but our conception of q gentle
man has undergone 4 radical change.
Evolution has been at work until we
have come TO respond to a demand that
students shan be trained to do certain