Daily Kennebec journal., 1926-09-09

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q matter of fact, however. there is
not wealth enough, In any one family
to support the school for term,
aside from contributing a sum Of
money. the income of which would
enable the continuation OF this
school.
Names rural towns are agri-
cultural, poor and scattered In popu-
lation, while Massachusetts ID
compact state. In almost every town
of which are to be found men OF
great wealth, and of sufficient fore
sight to see that the academies must
be kept up to afford an opportunity
for the education of their youth, and
consequently are able to contribute
the endowments to continue these
essential means Of education.
1t is perfectly obvious that this
cannot be done in Maine. The aca-
denies, II the amendment passes,
must go. Names interest In the
education of her country boys and
girls is too important to be left To
speculation or conjecture as to what
will happen, when our school sys-
tern, which has done splendid work
and of which nobody has ever COM
planned, is stricken down.
1t rs further said that these aca-
denies can be turned over to the
town and converted into high
schools. This is perfectly feasible in
the large rich towns Of Massa-
chusetts but clearly impracticable In
a sparsely settled state like Maine.
At any rate, considered in It's most
favorable light, it leaves the whole
question Of results within the realm
Of speculation, conjecture and doubt.
1t is too great an uncertainty to en-
tertain, when no adequate reason for
it can be predicated upon any abuse
of the system in the past or upon
any rational anticipation Of abuse In
the future.
1t is generally conceded that the
main desire for the amendment Is
based upon the alleged fear Of ap-
propriations of public money for
schools that teach sectarian doc
trines. Grant this to be true and
then the Maher Amendment should
be defeated, and an amendment pro-
posed to accomplish the desired end
that everybody will approve. This
could be done by adding to Article
8 of the present Constitution the fol-
lowing language from the Maher
Amendment: Provided further that
no grant appropriation or use of
public money or property or loan Of
public credit shall be made or auth
orized by the state or any political
division thereof for the purpose of
founding. maintaining or aiding any
school or institution of learning,
whether under public control or
otherwise. wherein any denomina-
tional doctrine Is inculcated. The
constitution as amended would then
read:
ARTICLE VIII
A general diffusion Of the ad-
vantages of education being es-
sential to the preservation of the
rights and liberties of the people; to
promote this important object, the
Legislature are authorized. and it
shall be their duty to require, the
several towns to make suitable pro-
vision at their own expense, for the
support and maintenance of public
schools; and ii shall further be their
duty to encourage and suitably en-
dow, from time to time, as the cir
cumstances of the people may auth
orize, all academies. colleges, and
seminaries of learning within the
State; provided that no donation,
grant, or endowment shall at any
time be made by the Legislature to
any literary institution now estab-
lished. or which may hereafter be
established, unless. at the time of
making such endowment, the Legis-
lature of the State shall have the
right to grant any further powers to
alter, limit, or restrain any of the
powers vested in, any such literary
institution, as shall be judged neces-
sary to- promote the best interests
thereof: and provided furthes that
no grant, appropriation or use of
public money or property or loan Of
public credit shall be made or auth
orized by the state or any political
division thereof for the purpose Of
founding, maintaining or aiding any
school or institution of learning
whether under pubic control or
otherwise. wherein any denomi-
national doctrine is inculcated. This
amendment would be in accordance
with the spirit of our present school
policy respecting religious and Sec
tartan teaching in our schools.
would prevent the appropriation of
a single penny for a school in which
'denominational doctrine was in
culcated' and would preserve the
academies Tor the education of the
country boys and girls who would
otherwise have no advantages for
more than a town school education
Before the present amendment. If
adopted, would go into effect the
above suggested amendment could
be passed by the Legislature and
adopted by the people. Why not
follow the safe and sane course?
The proposed effect of the amend
ment upon hospitals. agricultural af-
fairs and charitable institutions /
believe to be vicious and uncalled
for, as the money which has been
appropriated in the past can be
shown to have accomplished greatly
desired results along the lines of
progress and humanity. which would
seem, in these days Of commercial
ism, more worthy Of a state than
the mere saving of few dollars for
the pockets of wealth.
But this is a matter for the people
who are interested in these matters
AS my interest is centered upon the
preservation of our academy system,
the value of which I know so we'll.
and without which / could have
never advanced beyond the town
school. j have no perSonal interest