Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-05-13
Monday, May 10, 1907.
Today's Special Election.

overlook the fact that they have very
important duty to perform today at the
polls. 1t is too often the case that a
light vote is cast at special elections
Let today be an exception to that rule
for this is a matter of exceptional i'm
portance upon which we are to vote
The welfare of our schools is of vital
interest to US all and every citizen
should have an opinion-and be willing
to express it-upon this measure pro-
viding for the consolidation of the vari-
Gus school systems of the city and their
management by one board and a super
intendent chosen by that board.
The Journal has freely opened its
columns to discussion Of this measure
and hopes that, the communications
which have appeared have done some
thing to arouse public interest. Twice
the full text of the bill has been pub
lished. Elsewhere this morning there
are given the opinions Of leading cit
liens, prominent professional and bus
mess men whose unqualified advocacy
of the measure cannot fail to carry
much weight. Read what they have to
say ~ fore going to the polls.
The Journal has favored this measure
from the first, feeling that the change
is in the interests Of educational pro-
grcss of fairness to all sections of the
city and of economy in both money and
work of management. The step which is
proposed is something that has long
lied that our present four-fold system
has many weaknesses This bill was in
troduccd in the Legislature by Mr..
Ncwbcrt, after being drawn by some of
the best lawyers of the city. There is
absolutely no politics in the measure
and No reason to fear that there would
BE- any more politics under the proposed
system than under the present one. Nor
is there any ground for the argument
that the change would shift the debt
burden of the Williams district to the
Village district for both are small and
that ~ the Village district is actually
a little larger than that Of the Williams
district.
There are those who are honestly
"ppo|cd to the change. Their argument,
if argument it may he called, of let
well enough alone" is the same that
constantly stands in the way Of all
kinds Of progress. Things are not well
enough when they can he made better,
and t." horcst and intelligent men who
have framed and who earnestly favor
this measure. men who have carefully
studied the situation here and the con
ditions in other cities. are convinced
that this change will greatly improve
the school conditions of Augusta There
is need of uniformity i'm our schools
need of fairness to all sections. need OF
trained supervision and need of over
sight ana direction by one board. This
measure meets these demands and its
provisions will advance Augustus cdu-
cational work to a higher plane than
il has ever yet known. Our present
cumbersome system has been handi-
cap to the city and has caused It L
lag behind the procession. 1t has pre-
waste OF money and Of energy and il
has not beer fair to the whole city. II
is impossible to conceive Of any Other
city copying Augusta's present system
1t is equally impossible to believe that
Augusta itself would deliberately adopt
such a system were it now just enter
ing upon municipal life. The system il
antiqUat ted and inadequate. We are of
fcrcd something modern and adapted
to the cty's present and future needs.
The Journal believes that the grea
mass of our citizens favor the proposed
change The only danger of the de
feat Of the measure lies in the public
apathy. Those who oppose the meas
ure will not fail to vote. Let those wh'
favor it do their duty and victory il