Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-10-18

constitutional enO imperative, " becomes
our immediate duty. Us measure OF self
protection, promptly to make such repre-
sensations to the general government, for
whom oil power and authority on this sub
ject are claimed, as will cause proper
measures to be taken, either by legislation
Of Congress, or by treaty stipulation with
neighboring and friendly powers. to enable
the proper authorities mutually to demand
and surrender persons charged with the
commission OF great crimes N one govern
ment and escaping into tho terrltorles Of
the other.
The policy Of despotic governments is TO
keep their subjects in irnHrhnce OF their
rights as met, IND Of their physical and
moral power. 10 this lies tho foundation
of their security. in a republic, oil power
ia inherent in the people, M individual is
entitled to pre-emlnence over hs fellow.
except for superior moral or intellectual
attanmen's. The happiness and security
OF the people are The legitimate ends of oil
free government; and, os legislators, we
ought to enquire how. these can be- most
eflec,ualy secured.
The patriots, who established our GOV.
ernment and framed the constitution of the
State, evidently relied upon the dlssemiun.
ton Of useful Wedge as the most eff
cient means to prevent the commission OF
crime and lead 10 tho practice OF virtue.
Among the earliest acts of the Sln'e were
those establishing, providing for. end patro
nizing lcommon schools. This pol cyhas been
steadily pursued to the present time. LIB.
eral reservations were made for their aid
and encouragement in all grants Of land
under the State government. III edition
10 the income of the public lands. sequcs.
tered from time TO time for this object,
towns were required to rnlae and cxpend
large sums Of money. A further addition
to these means was made by applying the
income Of the surplus revenue OF the U.
States, deposited with the towns il 1886.
Our whole legislation, from the FONDA
ton of the government to this time, sho we
the Importance which has always been
attached to the interests of education as O
means Of adding to the virtue and hnppi-
ness Of the people and securing the perma
nency OF our institutions. The intention
appears clearly 10 have been, TO place
within reach Of the children Of the hum
best citizen the advantages Of such in
structlon as Is necessary TO form their
minds TO virtue and morality, and fit them
for usefulness. This is right, for it is
plainly the duty Of the State to guard the
private as well as The public morals of its
citizens. A judlcious and enlightened
course of instruction Is the only cffactual
way 10 accomplish this object. IF any
apology be necessary for urg upon the
consideration of the Legis al8a careful
examination Of the existing laws upper
tainIng to our schools, it is TO be found in
my convictions of the ,nadeqnaey Of their
present PROVISIONS TO accomplish the great
est good. v
Taking it for granted that the public is
under obligation 10 educate every child in
the State. 1t would seem necessary that the
burden Of supporting our schools--or at
least so much Of it es is required to defray
the expense of teachers salaries. be placed
upon those who have the ability TO pay
or N other words, That the deficiency, after
the application Of the public money, be
ra,sed y tax on tho list ofxdll taxable
property 10 the district. This course he's,
in many places, been found highly beneficial,
and where q contrary practice prevails. 1T
is to be feared, many children are deprived
ofthe advantages which he State designed.
The present mode Of distributing the
public money, in proportion to the number
Of scholars between the ages Of four and
eighteen, does not, apprehend, practically
carry out The wise and benevolent intention
Of the trainers Of the law. 1t is respect.
fully suggested, that, if certain part Of
the public funds in each town were divided
equally among The districts, and the residue
in proportion to the number Of scholars, it
would enable weaker districts to employ
more competent teachers, and for longer
period, and at the same time tend to fru-
ga'y and economy in districts Of greater
ability.
The act of 1896, providing for depos,ine
the surplus revenue with the towns, has
received construction, in some places
different from that intended, and caused
delay and difficulty in the distribution.
would further suggest whether some system
OF direct accountability would not have a
very happy influence on the prosperity o
our common schools.
Should the seleclmen in each town, OF
some other officer designated by law, be
required, under penalty, to make on
annual report TO some person authorized
TO receive the same Ct The condition of the
several schools in the town, the number o
scholars between four and eighteen year.
of age, tho number who have attended
school within The year, the time q ,enche
has been employed, the amount of none,
expended for services of teachers, the
amount OF public money received, md the
manner 10 which the balance expended
over and above the public money has beer
raised. it would furnish much valuable
information upon which TO base future
legislation. The want Of a sufficient mum
Der of competent and well instructed
teachers, is great obstacle TO the prosper
IVY and usefulness of our common schools
and It may well DO asked, if the Legisla
ture, as guardians of the public welfare