The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-01-14

other states. 30 great is TINS araln upon
US that even our normal schools support
ed largely by the state. fail fully to
serve US in the supply OF teachers be-
cause large percentage OF their grad
yates leave soon after graduation for
more remuneratfve fields OF labor. Mon
ey spent for the common school brings
h1ghest possible returns in good citizen
ship The school house Is the poorest
place conceivable for the display of par
s1mony. The teacher is peculiarly wor-
thy of his hire, and 1 believe that if we
are to maintain the standard of our
schools on the basis of other New Eng
land states, we must pay salaries which
shall be proportional to the salaries paid
by them based upon the cost and stand
ards OF living In those states. 1 have
no special suggestion as to definite leg
fslation covering this point but 1t has
occurred to me that if the state take
cognizance Of the conditions and so pro-
coed as to assist in raising the standard
OF the teacher in Maine by proper certifi-
cation on the standards Of teachers in
other states, the remuneration will fol-
low. l believe that, today, we have as
fine teaching force in Maine as can be
found In any other state in the Union,
but 1t is an unquestioned fact that every
year the difficulty OF retaining our best
teachers is greater than before.
Second: I would be glad to see an
increase in the minimum required school
year.
Third: 1t has been suggested that a
change be made in the free high school
law permitting the approval of a stand
ard high school course of study for one
two, three or four years, in place of the
arbitrary course of four years now re-
CURED.
Fourth: I strongly urge upon you some
form of legislation to encourage medical
Inspection in our public schools.
Fifth: suggest the fixing of a mini
mum of standard schoolhouse construc-
ton and equipment in accordance with
views of advanced education-these
standards to meet both educational and
sanitary requirements.
State Roads.
Other New England states are build
ing state roads on a general plan for the
development of New England, and l be-
lleve it will be necessary for Maine to
set about the construction of thorough
fares crossing the state from border to
border. A passage of uniform laws re-
garding the license and control of auto
mobiles, uniformity in insurance laws
and the preservation and propagation of
shell fish are also subjects of common in
terest to New England The presenva ton
of shell fish is of more than ordinary
importance as a legislative question at
this time, because it is being so seriously
agitated in other New England states
where they note the rapid depletion of
the shell fish beds through unscientfic
treatment Massachusetts proposes to
lease the unproductive tide water lands
to private parties for the cultivation of
shell fish, especially clans and quahaugs
The chairman OF the Massachusetts Fish
and Game commission estimates the
prospective value of the clam industry
! IN 20
to 100000 annually, In place of the
present income of about $500 900. Names
interest in a similar industry may easi-
ly surpass that of Massachusetts if we
take steps to prevent further extermin-
alton of our beds and to cultivate them
In places where they have already disap-
peared. l am aware that the state has
taken cognlzance of this situation in
previous legislatures, but much remains
to be done, especially in the determna-
ton of some law by which this valuable
| industry may be safeguardei and fos-
tered.
Whether additional legislation is re-
quired or is possible touching riparian
! rights, l leave to your honorable body
but l recommend an inquiry into this
subject There is a provision in some of
our states that no municipal or public
corporation or public board or other in
terest engaged in supplying any village
for additional sources of water supply
save the state authority approves
Whether the beds of our rivers and the
shores thereof can be alienated in such a
way as to prevent competition in the
storage of ice, and in other uses regard
ed to be for the public well-being, seems
to me to be a proper subject for inves-
tfgation.
Prizes For Forest Growth.
osition of citizen of Maine to give to
the state of Maine to be its property for
ever, one thousand dollars, on condition
that in consideration of said gift the
state shall, once in Is years offer five
prizes for the five lots of young forest
growth, the same to be awarded by the
state forestry commissioner subject to
the approval of the governor on Jan q
1927, and once in Is years thereafter for
ever, in accordance with certain rules
laid down by the donor, said forestry
prizes to be known by the name of the
donor. The details of the proposition will
be submitted to you in connection with
the offer. lnasmuch as the gift entails
the obligation upon the state for all
time to give a similar prize once in IS
years by state appropriation, the mat
ter properly comes before you for your
considera ton.
II Ii
the matter of pollution of rivers and
lakes which are now or may become
sources of supply for domestic purposes
and to the determination of the powers
of the state board of health under all
circumstances where public health is
menaced. The evils arising from the dis
charge of raw sewage into streams and
lakes are enormous. 1t is pointed out
that sanitary science prescribes definite
and effective methods of sewage disposal.
When you consider the fearful mortality
from this source throughout the country
which in 1900 was estimated by the CEN
sus to be over thirty-tive thousand lives,
1t is plain that there is a material waste
as well as a disregard of human life in
present crude methods observed in the
disposal of sewage
Protection of our forests from fire will
require your attention in some measure
at this session, and it is suggested first
OF all that the governor be empowered
to extend close season in years of ex-
IRENE drought, such as we have just
passed through. Other and possibly bet
ter methods than this will be presented
| to you, l trust, and l hope every posi-
BILE means will be taken by you to afford
precautions that will diminish the dan
ger from this source
The Report Of the Tax Commission
and Prospective Tax System.
In view of the impending consideration
by you of the report filed with the
governor and council by a taxation COM
mission appointed by Governor Cobb in
accordance with the provisions of Chap
ter los, public laws of Maine of 1907