Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-05-13
Wednesday, May 10, 1908.
REPUBLICAN NOMINATIONS
For Representative to Congress
EDWIN G. buRlEIeh
OF AUGUSTA.
Auousta's Public Schools.
OF AUGUSTA.

The school meeting at City hall
Monday night at least emphasized one
thing beyond all question, and that is
the overwhelming sentiment which ex-
lists in the city in favor of the estab-
lishment Of commercial course in our
public schools. The meeting was one
blages, perhaps the largest, ever held
in Augusta and it is entirely, We
think, correct to say that the voters
present We're fully to l in favor of
the commercial course, and now that
the money has been voted for II, 1t
will, undoubtedly. be established the
coming year. This broadening out of
the work Of public education in our
city will undoubtedly mean, il not
this year at least next, an absolute
necessity for enlarging our present
High school accommodations, and it
was also evident that there was a very
strong sentiment in favor of such ac-
ton at the Monday night meeting.
The Journal believes that the
economical way of meeting the needs
of the situation would be to enlarge
the present High school building, but
We think we voice the sentiments of a
majority of the citizens when we ex-
press the opinion that such enlarge
ment may well be confined to a plain,
though substantially built, structure.
Situated as it will be in the rear of
the present excellent building, which,
as one speaker said, is thoroughly con-
structed and is all right as far it goes,
We cannot see any reason why any
considerable amount of money should
be spent in ornamentation. Let the
building be substantial but plain.
There are undoubtedly some other
school changes that are imperatively
needed In the Smith school build
ing are some $50 small pupils. The
heating system in this building is
positively dangerous and has been for
several years past. 1t is situated
practically under the front hall and it
would certainly be great mistake to
undertake to go further with this
antiauated and unsafe boiler. Again,
there is probably no schoolhouse in
Maine so poorly ventilated as this.
The air midway of each session be-
comes positively depressing to pupils
and teachers. The writer knows
whereof he speaks on this point be-
cause he has personally experienced it.
In r,any ways this is substantial
and walls. and were it provided with
safe heating plant and anything re-
sembling a modern system of ventila-
ton 1t would serve the city to good
purpose for the next quarter of CEN
fury 1t is our Judgment also that
so long as rooms on the third floor OF
this building must be used for school
PURPOSES it should be provided with
adequate fire escapes. At the same
time it must be admitted that in a
general way this building is excep-
tionally well constructed to provide
quick exit in case of fire. having four
distinct entrances, two on the front
and two on the rear. These would
probably be found adequate outside
OF the third floor but the fact that
this third floor must of necessity to
meet the demands of the large num-
Der of pupils in the lower grades. be
used for school purposes. emphasizes
the importance and the need of pro-
viding outside fire escapes for this
building, one at least on either end.
II was gratifying to note at the
Monday night meeting that the pride
of our citizens in the character and
work of our schools Is a common one
ard that the desire is general that
they should be not only adequately
but even literally supported, for it is
true that nothing SO well adVertises
any community as the fact that II
maintains a high order of public
schools.