The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-10-21
VOL. X.

: want Of uniformity in regard to the books
used for that purpose; while large propor-
ton of our school houses are located in high
; WAYS. with little regard TO comfort or fitness
in their internal structure, and as little to
TASTE and beauty, and convenience in the
grounds connected with them; If, indeed, ANY
) grounds but those of highways are thus con-
, nected And yet. what an amount Of money
is annually expended for the use Of schools.
To say nothing of the amount expended in
the construction Of schools houses-of which
we have no means of forming an estimate
lei us look at the expenditure for teaching.
From the statistics returned to me last
year, from 159 of the 240 towns in the State,
| drew the conclusion in my report to the
! General Assembly, that there was paid to
teachers in the whole State, exclusive OF
teachers Of select schools-from which there
were no returns-tbe sum of S12S, 900 annu-
ally. No one can soberly consider this sub
ject, without feeling painfully impressed with
a conviction of the utter waste of a very great
portion OF this large sum. 1t Is not extrava-
| CANT 10 say, that its power for good might
have been doubled, and more than doubled,
fit had been expended under system OF
supervision which should have carried into
the schools. teachers fully competent, and
modes of INSTRUCTION founded upon the true
! philosophy OF mind, and practical acquain-
lance with the means best adapted 10 its true
! & proper education. We DO not much
lie ed, at the present moment, additional pc
cuniary means, we do a system adapted to
give greater efficacy to those already poss-
essed,-a system which shall give right d.
reclinn 10 effort, and make il efieciual TO the
proper education of the children of the
State. The whole, so far as the aid of legis-
Iation may be properly invoked, is compre
hended IN the pregnant words-.SUperriSio
-ResponsibHty We have, now, nothing
that deserves the name of eilher.-We have
provided. indeed, for the organization Of dis
tricts, and the employment of teachers by
their prudential committees who are author
lied and required to adopt measures for the
inspection, examination, and regulation, OF
the schools, and The improvement Of the
scholars in learning But experience has
shown. abundanIy. that all this is nnavailing
TO the purpose of securing proper examina-
ton, or, indeed any examination, OF teachers,
or proper supervision of the schools, or 10
awaken thai interest in their improvement.
among parents, and throughout the commu-
nifty, which is as indispensable 10 their Wig
orous health and prosperity, as Il pure and
bracing atmosphere is to the suppo IT Of hu-
man life.
We want system OF supervision which
shall make the power Of benefcient legisla-
lion felt, through competent and discreel
agencies. in every district, and by every child,
( in the State. Shall we haveit! That is
the question; and it presses upon us more
urgently than any other question within the
range Of our legislative duties. We cannot
us are moving onward in The work Of im-
provcmcnt; aud urgent have been con
sidcred the claims of common schools upon
Legislative Electromagnetic manifest the de
fects Of old systems of supervision and in
stnuciion, and so common and universal the
benefits TO be derived from Improvements in
bo,h that party spirir has stood silent in pres
ence Of this great question, and all classes.
and all parties, have made common cause in
the noble work of educational improve
ment.
The expense Of carrying into effect sys-
fem of adequate supervision need not be
great. while lis benefits will be inappreciable.
! Dollars and cents cannot measure their val
ne. We readily make investments in rail
roads, and other improvements, which PROM
Use a return of pecunaiy profit; but what
those which, in The process of educating a
community TO virtue and intelligence, infuse
into il the great and indispensable elements Of
solid and enduring prosperity.
| commend this whole subject 10 your ear
nest consideration. under a full persuasion
that an awakened and greatly advanced pub
lie sentiment vii! respond hearty approval
to your favorable action on it.
tha of
schools, without devoGing few moments at
tenton 10 what is familiarly denurninated the
School Fund.'-The foundation of this fund
was laid in 1925, when the General Assembly
passed an act sequestering and granting TO
The respective towns in the State. for the
benefit of common schools, the amount Of
the avals, accrued. and thereafter to accrue,
to the State, from the Vermont State Bank.
and also the amount of the State funds &C
cruing from the six per cent. on the nett
profits of the banks. received and 10 be reed
and the amount receiv ed and TO he receive
from licenses 10 pedlars. 1t was pro-
vided that said funds, with the annually &C
cruins interest. should be invested in APP
proved bank stocks. or other productive Sc
curities,' and should not be appropriated 10
the use of schools, until the amount should
N"SN " d sum. VIII &C
should be adequate to defray the expenses OF
keeping good free common school, in each
district in the State, for the period Of two
months.
The State Treasurer was constituted
commissioner for the management of the
fund; who thereupon proceeded 10 invest
the same, by loans, for the purpose contem-
plated in the act.
By an act passed in The year 1888, further
loans from the fund were prohibited, and the
Treasurer was directed TO deposit the same
ia the Treasury. as it should be received, 81 to
keep an account ihereof,2 annually charge the
state with the interest on The money thus de-
posited-whlch. it was declared, shall be
considered as borrowed from The funds and
the Treasurer was authorized and directed
TO pay out said money on any appropriations
authorized by law
Under the operation of this act, and Prin-
clpally in connection with the expenditure OF
Sll1.OOO, for the erection the State House,
the State, from time to time, has become in |
debted TO this fund, until the indebtedness |
now amounts. including the accumulations Of