Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1839-12-23

MEssRs. EDIToRs:-I cannot consent to let the
lecture of Mr.. Taylor, who recently addressed q
large and delighted audience in our village on the
subject of common schools, pass away and be for
gotten like that of the many itinerant lecturers
who, with different objects, happen among JUS
TO compliment Mr.. II. for the great ability, the
novelty and the truth he displayed in his adj
dress on this subject, is no part of my present
purpose; but it is to call the attention OF the
friends of common schools to few of the propo
sitions which Mr. T. laid down and proved, as /
believe. TO the satisfaction of most of his auditors.
And first
Is it true, as he offirms that Vermont, with all
her general intelligence and unquestioned public
spirit, is behind New York, behind Massachusetts
and behind Maine, in the march of improvement
in common schools?
Is it true that our farmers and citizens general
ly pay their hired men greater sum in proper
ton to the service and the expense of qualifying
than they do their teachers? Is il true that they
less encourage the latter, in their operations, by
their presence and supervision care for their
capacities for their business, and thus virtually
stamp the busin ass of educating their children MS
less honorable calling than rearing their cattle
and fitting their hogs for market?
Is it true that, in this manner, we are driving
our best and almost only qualified common school
instructors into other states for an employment
which will afford an adequate compensation for
their service?
Is it true that our school houses are generally so
miserably constructed-so cold in winter for the
feet, and, by the injudicious position of stoves and
pipes in places so hot, as to render pupils too un-
easy to study and sero usy endanger their healths
And isst true, also, that our school houses have
no conrivances for ventilation either by an aper-
ture through the ceiling, which can be opened and
shut at pleasure, or by dropping the upper sash of
the windows to let off the foul ar--no such con.
trvances, while our children are compelled to
breathe over and over the contaminated air of a
thIckiy crowded school room, and grow pale, sick
en- and die, in the vapor thus generated, more poi.
sonous than the miasma of Mississippi swamp :
Is all this true? Is it no, true even to the let.
ter IN eight out of ten cases throughout all Yer.
mont? IL So is it not indeed time for us to be
looking to the best modes of remedying the dis
giaceful-ay, disgi aceiul evils?
Mr. Taylor is the editor of monthly periodi
cal entitled the Common School ASSISTANT publish
ed in the city of New York, by an association
formed for the advancement OF common schools
And so high is the iepute OF this work, that th
state of New York, at public expense, has sub
scribed for 10000 copies for gratutous dstrbu
ton among her people. 1t is designed to becom
the medium of laying before the people Of III
United States all the improvements of the da
connected with common schools. The price i
but 81 per year, and were called on to bestov
on the people of Vermont by ordinary means
that blessing which would confer the creates
eventual good on her community, would throw
copy of this, or similar work. into every fami
ly in the state. IT.