Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-22
Protests Withholding
(Continued fran Dare Npel

ing our nstitutions-educati onal
philanthropic. and charitable" said
Major Thayer. "a danger that is not
understood. Men who advocated the
sectarian amendment are now pro-
ceeding to a much greater extreme,
and are being blindly followed by
many who have not given sufficient
study to the situation to comprehend
the drastic and direct stroke that
would be delivered against our
academies, our hospitals, our char
liable institutions, and our agricul-
tural fairs, should this wicked
amendment be ratified by the voters.
THE policy of the State of Maine
since it acquired statehood" ex-
planned Major Thayer. has been
proper support and assistance for
education and philanthropy, help
when required and deserved for
schools and academies, for hospitals.
for the alienation of the suffering,
for the agricultural fairs. for the
benefit of the great farming indus
try, and for all deserving charitabl
undertakings that react for the aid
and assistance of the unfortunate.
do you not Believe in such as
sistance and aid? Would you re-
move the power from the legislature
to grant financial help to such I'M
dertakings when after examination
it is found that such is beneficial to
our people? Would you now cut off
help that has been guaranteed by
statutory law and custom? / have
no belief that Maine voters will take
such an attitude if they understand
the question-but do they UNDER
stand it? There is the danger, and
it has been increased by the atti-
tude of men who are seeking TO be-
cloud the issue and are leaving the
impression that this question that
comes before the voters next Sep
TENDER is but a renewal of the sec
tartan discussion of two years ago.
Unfair as the sectarian proposal
was, the present proposition is far
more unfair, inequitable. and far
reaching in its effects. 1t strikes at
the very life of our educational and
charitable institutions, and would
remove a portion of the foundations
on which they have been upbuilt-
the financial and moral support of
the State. proclaiming them worthy
OF aid and assistance.
Our Maine people have always en-
couraged the organization of schools
and academies and colleges through
private contributions. Financial aid
amounting to many millions in the ag-
gregate has been granted by legisla-
lures until there are today in the
State four colleges and So secondary
schools, all established through gen.
eral gifts and personal efforts of pub
lie spirited men and women-not one
of which is under the direct control
of public officials. and hence should
this amendment pass, could not. with
the exception of the University of
Maine, which is exempted, receive a
single penny from the State.
Most of our academies have taken
the place of the free high school and
serve as such the towns in which they
are located. And most of them are
directly dependent upon the State as
sistance. IL that is removed, they must
close their doors or receive help from
other sources. And in either event the
taxpayers must pay.
Let US see how far-reaching would
be this proposed legislation as applied
to the academies. There are now in