Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-01
PAYSON SMITH Bit
ON THE MAHER BILL
SAYS GOOD POLICY

Payson Smith, former superintend-
ent OF schools in Maine, now commits
sioner of education in Massachusetts,
when interviewed by Sam Conner of
the Lewiston Journal respecting the
Maher amendment expressed the
Putting 1t upon the broad
basis of good sound public policy.
Maine should adopt the amendment:
II Will prove one Of the best things
she has ever done"
he mentioned certain differences
between the situation in Maine and
that which existed in Massachusetts.
In Massachusetts, explained Mr..
Smith. great care had been taken
from the time Of Horace Mann that
no elementary school other than a
public institution should receive puh-
! lie aid. No such school can be locat-
ed in a church. chapel, hall of an or
der or the like. 1t must have been
located IN a publicly owned building.
Even IN case of a school building
destroyed by fire no elemental school
could be held in any church or
lodge room.
This was vastly different condi-
! ton from what the Maine law al
lowed. AS Mr.. Smith pointed out. the
| voters of a Maine town could locate
such schoi anywhere. They could
place it in Methodist chapel. a
Catholic convent. Masonic hall
| anywhere they desired. This had
been done in numerous instances in
the State.
Again, said Mr.. Smith. in the mat
ter OF teachers there had been a diff
ference in the practices of the two
States. In both State certificates as
was required, but there was this sep
arat1on OF methods. Under the laws
OF Maine any person who could pass
the examination and secure the GER
uncate could be employed as a teach
er In the public schools A Catholic
nun, Baptist preacher. Jewish
rabbi, any of them were eligible. so
long as they were able to pass the
required tests. Not so in Massachus-
etts. No such person could, in the
past or in the present be EMPLOYED as
a public teacher.
In Maine both these things were
not possible, but they had been done.
In Massachusetts they, as said had
not and could not be made use of.
Here was one of the first changes
which the adoption Of the Maher
amendment in Maine would bring
about but which when the same law
was enacted in Massachusetts, had no
effect.
Matter of Academies
The similarity Of the problems of
the two states, said Mr.. Smith. was
in dealing with the academies. While
in Maine the State granted aid to
them and in Massachusetts the State
did not. Right here, however, there
comes a sameness in the methods
followed. In Massachusetts the
towns and cities gave financial aid
to the academies. Many Maine towns
do the same thing.
Iowns In Massachusetts give mon
ey In return for which the academies
furnished the high school for the
place. In Maine towns not having a
nigh school pay the academies IN
SONS instances for the tuition of
such pupils as are eligible to a high
School education; this in addition to
what the state gives them.
Sald Mr.. Smith, it Is we'll IN CON
sidering this question, to REGAL, the
story OF the academies. whv thew
came into existence ana whv thew
are still here. 'neS
Previous to 1870 there wer. M
Tree high schools. Realizing the
need OF more education these acad-
emles were organized. Here in
Maine they were given grants nv
the State. In Massachusetts the
towns helped them. Thew wera also