The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-03-22

rents and masters should not endeavor to teacl
by themselves and others, their children an
servants TO read the English tongue and I
know the capital laws" The penalty for e,
cry such neglect was twenty shillings.
Previous to l76s the schools of Massachu
sets were sustained by towns acting in thei
municipal capacity. The present district sys
tenn under state patronage. began about l7s9
since which time it has been so perfected, tina
the primary schools of Mass are now the bes
schools in the state. They are supported b,
money derived LIST from the income of schoo
funds, I'd from direct taxation. The state ha
fund of about 100000, arising from tn,
sale of lands In Maine and from money due
from the U. States for military services anc
from other sources. The income of this funC
Is distributed in such a way as to induce the
people to have their children in the school,
Each town is also required to raise $l.25 fol
each individual residing in the town, between
a and 16 years of age. If any town. raises a
less sum it forfeits its portion of the public
fund. The amount actually raised by each
town, yearly, by tax, is about $3.50 to each
scholar, instead Of LES.
The state has also assumed strict super
vision over the schools. The Legislature ap.
points Board of Education, that collects and
diffuses information in respect to schools, and
that yearly lays before the Legislature report,
showing infinitely the condition of every school
In the commonwealth.
Professor Twining of Middlebury was then
listened 20 in an address on the means of ex-
citing interest and action on the subject of ed
ucation, among the people. Prof Twining,in
very forcible manner set forth the fact that
the people undervalue education and are not
willing TO spend that time, property and effort,
that are requisite. That facts and light must
be diffused until the public mind shall be
brought TO rellect-that to secure wise and ef-
hclent legislation in behalf of our schools, we
must apply TO the people, who are the source
of power. MIR. Twining, at the close of his
address, offered series of resolutions which
were laid on the table for consideration
On Wednesday evening DR.. Leonard Marsh,
delivered an address on the subject of Physical
Education, which was listened to with great
interest:
Adjourned Till 3 o'clock P. NJ. Thursday
The convention met according to adjourn
ment. The Committee reported the following
resolutions, which were discussed and unan.
mously adopted.
!. Resolved, Tha, the action of the people
IF Vermont. from the earliest history of the
State 70 the present time, on the subject of ed
ucation, whether that action be contemplated
in refe renee to either legislative or individual
conduct, shews four things:
/. That that there has prevailed at all times
a in thair pJs tI,o
he promotion of useful knowledge among the
he citizens of the State, is all essential TO the
preservation of their individual, civil and pol
tical liberties.
2. That in conformity to such standard of
excellence as they either legislativeIy or ndi-
vidually have deemed from time to time the
highest, there has been a strong desire to bring
the means of attaining TO this standard within
The reach of every Inhabitant of the State, on
rs easy and equal terms as possible.
s. That for the accomplishment of tbi, OBJ
ect there has ever been a readiness to raise
money by direct taxation-to appropriate means
from other sources placed in the hands of the
legislature, and by individual contribution-to
be expended for the purposes of education,
which deserves high praise.
d. That the system of education now re-
cognised in the laws of this State, and which
has remained substantially unchanged from its
first institution, has been productive of incalcu-
able good to the people of this State, and to
The cause of education and true liberty; and
though it has defects, there is good reason to
believe that if they are brought fairly to the
knowledge of the people, they will be prompt
to take any apparently iudicious measures to
remedy them.
ii. Resolved, That, as in other States, an
under Legislative authority, of
their systems of education, and the practices
under them, not only has shown important de-
fects to exist, but has pointed the way to their
removal so we believe that like benefits may
arise from similar examination in this State
and the Resolution of the Senate and House of
at their last session, that the |
Governor be requested to appoint committee
10 make an investigation and report on the SUBJ |
ect TO the next session of the Legislature,
meets our highest appreciation.
iii. Resolred, That the want of Legislative
ind other provisions for the diffusion of gener-
Il information respecting the actual working of
,ur system from year to year, is paIpable de- |
ect in it, and calls for prompt and full rem /
,dy.
~. Resolred, That the public system of
education in this State ought to be such, in its
dea and its practical working, that the public /
chools shall be more desirable places of resort
or pupils than any private schools of the same
grade.
v. Resetrsd, That committee of five be ap-
pointed, who shall be empowered to call anoth-
'r Convention on the subject of education, at !,
inch time and place as they shall deem advi- |
able.
The resolutions preseated yesterday by Rev. |
Mr.. Peck, were called up, and after considera-
ion and amendment, were adopted, and are as
ollows:
RESOLVED, LIST, That the defects in our pres
mt system of Education cannot be remedied
Without enlightened Legislative acton,by which