Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-04-02
MAHER ANTI.AlD RESOLVE

The text Of the Maher anti-aid
resolve. proposing an amendment to
the Constitution prohibiting the use
Of public funds for other than pub
lie institutions and public purposes.
IL Of interest at this time, when the
measure IL In the forefront Of the
discussion before the Legislature.
The text of the resolve is as fol-
lows:
Resolved: Two-thirds of the leg
1slature concurring, that the follow
ing amendment to the constitution
of this state be proposed for the ac-
ton Of the legal voters, to wit, by
adding thereto the following article:
Section l. On and after January
first, nineteen hundred and thirty
one, all moneys raised by taxation in
the towns and cities for the support
of public schools. and all moneys
{ which may be appropriated by the
state for the SUPPORT of common
schools shall be applied to, and ex-
pended in. no other schools than
those which are conducted accord
ing to law, under the order and sup
erintendence Of the authorities Of the
town or city in which the money is
expended; and no grant, appropria-
ton or use of public money or prop
erty or loan of public credit shall be
any political division thereof for the
purpose of founding, maintaining or
aiding any school or institution of
learning, whether under public con-
troll or otherwise, wherein any de-
nominational doctrine is inculcated,
or any other school, or any college,
inflrmary, hospital, institution, or
= educational, charitable or religious
undertaking which is not publicly
owned and under the exclusive con-
troll, order and superintendence CT
public officers or public agents au-
thorized by the State or Federal au-
thority or both, except so that ap-
preparations may be made for the
maintenance and support Of the Uni
versity Of Maine and for free public
libraries in any city or town, and to
carry out legal obligations, If any.
already entered into; and no such
grant. appropriation or use Of pub
lilo money or property or loan Of pub
lie credit shall be made or authoriz-
ed for the purpose Of founding,
maintaining or aiding any church,
religious denomination or society.
Sect. 2. Nothing herein contained
shall be construed to prevent the
state, or any political division there
of, from paying to privately con-
trolled hospitals, tnfirmartes, or in
situations for the deaf. dumb or blind
not more than the ordinary and rka-
eonAble compensation for care or
support actually rendered or furnish
ed by such hospitals, infirmaries or
institutions to such persons as may
be in whole or in part unable to
support or care for themselves.
Sect. :. Nothing herein contained
shall be construed to deprive any in
mate Of 4 publicly controlled re.
formatory.. penal or charitable insti-
tuition Of the opportunity Of religious
exercises therein Of his own faith;
but no inmate of such institution
shall b compelled to attend religious
services or receivo religious instruc.
ton against his will, or. II b minor.
without the consent Of his parent or
guardian.
AS presented provision Is made for
this to bs submitted to a vote at the
next regular biennial election. and
in such form that those approving
may vote yes and those opposing
may vote mo, thus avoiding con-
fusion in the minds Of the voters.
AZ We see 1t this resolve would
squarely place before the voters Of
Maine the issue that has been rails
Cd respecting State aid to other than
public institutions. It also provides
opportunity for adjustment to the
changed conditions which It would
impose.