Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-15
Political Aavsreissmsas
2e,,.ss.. AaxsEs.ssass.
The Public Schools

Senator Brewster and his Khan friends posing
as the only real sinon.pure defenders of our public
school system. We had public schools in Maine long
before the Khan born. There were legislators who
worked to good purpose in support of the public schools
before Senator Brewster was born. There were egs-
ators who accomplished very much Of useful work in
their support during Senator Rrewsters lifetime with
out any assistance from him.
Our state constitution provided for public school
system supported by the various towns IN the early
seventies mill act was passed under the provisions OF
which all Of the property Of Maine was taxed one mill
every year and the money distributed by the state In
aid of public schools so that the Weather communities
assisted the poorer communities in maintaining their
schools.
Later provided that to the fund raised by the
mill taN there should be added portion of the money
raised by taxing the Savings Banks In 1907, the mill
tax was raised to mill and half.
In 1909, William R. Pattangal, representing the city
OF Watevle in the Legislature introduced bill which
increased the tax assessment for public schools from
and enehalf mills to three mills. There only
fftyone Democrats in the House that year and small
minority of Democrats in the Senate. Mr. Pattangall
did not even have the entirely united support Of his
party for his proposition and at the outset practically
no Republican support.
He argued the bill before the committee on taxation.
of which he was member, and argued it alone with
the opposition represented by both Republicans and
Democrats of great ability and influence, The commit
tee made divided report. ~
After debate in the House which lasted all day. the
House adopted the report which favored MI. Pattan.
gals bill In the Senate his position endorsed by
Hon. Edward w. Wheeler of Brunswick Hon. George
E. Macomber of Augusta and other leading Republicans
and Hon. James B. Mullen of Bangor, the Democratic
leader of the Senate. "a
The bill became law and nearly doubled the amount
Of money available for the support Of common schools
After it had received the signature of Governor Fer
nald its consttutonality attacked. Mr.. Justice
Warren c. Philbrook was then Attorney General He
appeared before the Supreme Court and defended the
bill Hon. Louis c. Stearns of Bangor assisted by Hon.
Taber D. Bailey presented the arguments against IL.
The Court rendered no decision that year and in 1911
ordered the case reargued A s.asaa
Mr.. Pattangal was then Attorney General. He AZ.
gued the for the state and the court decided the
case IN MS favor. y kA"fAs v4saMA (,
About 100000 year was added annually TO our
school fund from state instead Of local taxa
ton by of this law which Mr. Pattangall wrote
secured the passage Of and vndcated before the court
With this record, it would seem that Mr.. Pattanga
could qualify q friend and supporter Of the public
school and fully useful friend to that great system
of education those who have never done anything
for the public schools except to talk about them.
DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE
BY Clayton Eames, Secretary.