Year: 1878

The Bangor Commercial, which is at pres
ent the most outspoken advocate in this
State of Mr.. Rust's new National Democratic
party, and represents the wishes and pur-
poses of those factions of the Democratic and
National parties that are now edgiD, up to
each other, presents fine programme for the
consideration of the next Legislature, and
insists that the programme shall be carried
out. 1t intimates that every Greenbacker
and Democrat elected to the Legislature
must so to the State House determined to
reduce State expenditures, and points out
the reductions that should be made.


For one thing the Commercial insists that
the appropriation for the Bath "Nayal Asy-
lum," by which it means the asylum for the
orphans of soldiers and sailors, shall be cut
off, A move in that direction was to be ex-
pected from the Commercial. It still cher
ishes hatred toward the defenders of the
Union. Another blow is struck at the or.
phans. No money shall be given for the
Portland Female Orphan Asylum, for the
Bangor Children's Home, or for the Indus
trial School for Girls. Then the School sys-
tenn is assaulted. The Free High Schools
are to be abolished, the State Normal Schools
are to be done away with, the Agricultural
College is to be annihilated, we are no longer
to have Superintendent of Common Schools,
nor to pay the School mill tax. The next
attack is made upon the Bank Examiner.
Our Savings Banks are to have their own
sweet will hereafter, unvexed by the curious
inquiries of the agent of the people. But the
Commercial does not stop here. The Fish
Commission must 60, the Militia must dis
band, the Agricultural Societies shall receive
no aid, the Maine General Hospital shall be
left unprovided for. The brunt Of the attack
1t will be seen, is to be borne by the schools
aad the great charities of the State. Those
who thought last fall that they were voting
against resumption of specie payments were
voting, it seems, for the gripping of the pub
lie schools in which their children are edu-
Gated. Those who thought they were break
ing up "rings' discover that they are break.
up our worthiest charitable institutions. The
Commercial represents, it is we'll under
stood, the views of the leaders of the coal
ition. 1t proclaims their purposes. Should
they be able to command a majority Of the
Legislature the measures of "retrenchment"
they advocate will be passed. The danger to
the welfare of the State and of the best of
our public institutions is great. fortunately
two at least of our candidates for Governor, are
pronounced in their opposition to the silly and
wicked scheme, and it must be that some of
the men elected to the Legislature as Demo-
Gratis or Greenbackers will sternly oppose leg
islation so detrimental to the best interests
of the community and the good name of the
State. s'Retrenchment" that starves our
schools and charities is death to the body pol
itic. 1t is perhaps only natural that the
Commercial should direct its most savage
blows at the school house, for education is
the great foe of the principles and prejudces
it represents. But it will find that the
majority of the people of Maine do not SYM
pathize with it in its hatred, and are minded
to maintain the public school system and to
educate their children. In their way OF
thinking, ignorance is not bliss.