Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-01
Dept; OF EDUCATION
MAKES STATEMENT
ION SCHO0L=FUNDS

The State Department OF Educa-
ton issues pamphlet containing the
resolve proposing an amendment to
the Constituting prohibiting the use
Of public funds for other than pub
lie institutions and public purposes.
Accompanying the text of the re-
solve is an Introductory statement
and observations"
Introductory Statement
"The people of Maine are familiar
with the events which led to the en-
actment by the last legislature of the
resolve to amend the State Consti-
tuition to prohibit the use of public
funds for other than public institu-
tions and public purposes. This pro-
posed amendment will come before
the voters in referendum at the next
general election which will occur the
second Monday in September-the
13th-1926.
1T should be known, however
that at present there is no bar or
inhibition in our laws to religious
instruction in public schools or to
appropriation of public funds to
schools whose program Of studies in
cludes sectarian teaching.
This measure Is the direct Sc
quence Of the Massachusetts amend
ment which uses almost Identical
language and the action of a ma
jority OF the states who now have
Similar provisions. The fact that the
measure is referred to the people re-
lteveS 1t of its political aspect.
1t becomes non-political as 1t is
non-sectarian. 1t will be supported
and approved by persons OF all par
ties and of all creeds. =
Some Observations
Il. 1t will be observed that If the
enactment carries, 1t does not be-
come effective until January 1, 1881.
which provides five-year period for
any needed adjustment.
y. 1t will be observed that in
section down to the word 'expend-
ed, there are two special conditions
set up. The first refers to moneys
raised by taxation in the towns and
cities for the support of public
schools; the second refers to all
moneys appropriated by the state for
the support of common schools"
Note: 1t is observed in this con-
nection that the term public
schools includes both elementary
and high schools, while the term
common schools" according to the
use in the laws of the state and gen
eral practice, refers specifically to
the elementary schools.
8. Following the semi colon after
the word expended" it Is provided
that no grant, appropriation or use
OF puDlic money or property or loan
OF public credit shall be made or
authorized by the state or any poll
fic9l S1Ih6iuisinr
pose of funding, maintaining or aid
ing any school or institution of learn
ing, whether under public control or
otherwise, wherein any denomina-
tional doctrine is inculcated or any
other school or college, inf1rmary,-
hospital. institution or educational,
charitable or religious undertaking
which Is not publicly owned and I'M
der the exclusive control and SUPER
intendence of public officers or public
agents authorized by the state or
federal authorities or both but 1t is
to be observed that Section Q very
carefully and explicitly permits the
continuance of charitable aid to the
various private hospitals, infirmaries
and institutions for the deaf, dumb
and blind under exactly the same
conditions that they receive aid at
this time. That means that the state
or any municipality may continue to
pay reasonable compensation fer SER
vices rendered.
4. 1t will be observed that there
are two prohibitions In Section j:
ta) relating to religious instruction
in either public or private schools,
OBJ any school not under public con-
troll ~
b. II this proposed amendment
should become a law, the present
free high school attendance act
would continue effective for the flee |
high schools. It must be reuer,hered .