Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-02-19
Common Schools.
From the 81. .albans Messenger.
Town SHpeFintendents.


1t will be borne in mind that the period is approach
ing for the appointment of town superintendent of
common schools they are to be chosen by the sew
era towns at their annual March meetings. And since
the office cannot be regarded otherwise than as very
important one under our present school SYSTEM It ap
pears desirable that the peopc should in advance set
tie IN their minds some definite principles by which
they may be governed in their selection And for the
purpose of calling public attention to the subject and
inviting discussion, propose to offer my opinion.
In the first place, them believe our town supernten-
dents should be men of good elementary education
well acquainted with first prncipes-and, if possible
men who have had some experience in actual teaching
We do not consider it as at all essential that they
should be-to use the familiar phrase" colegeearn-
cd men," for allowing that such could be found in
every town who could be induced to undertake the du
ties of the Office, they would not by any means neces-
sarily be the best qualified. Ertent of learning we
should regard as a matter of less consequence then
thoroughness OF acquaintance with those branches
usually taught in our schools. Without this superin-
tendent would not be competent to test the scholarship
of those who to teach these branches or to Judge
when schools correctly and properly instructed
Still the more Superintendent knows the better--
provided always that he knows it tceH
In the next place it would seem desirable that those
officers should feel deep interest in the cause of COM
mon school education. We would not, however set
this down an indispensable prerequisite in case the
other qualifications are secure for we can scarcely
think it possible that one should labor long in such
dengnju and interesting field as this without his feel
ngs becoming deeply enlisted, and his soul kinded in
view OF the interest that surrounds it. 1t is great law
of our nature that what we have aided and fostered
and cherished we learn to love. And this general
law must especially hold good in regard to an object
OF such Intrinsic and essential interest as this. That
nature must be cold indeed which could resist the ge
NAL influence of such occupation as that which we
are contemplating. Still we should regard good de-
gree of interest on this sub ect, in advance, very
excellent capital to commence business WITH and per-
haps moderate amount of it might be deemed essen
tQ.
Again. Town Superintendents should be men of
good common sense, sound Judgment prudence and
discretion. Mere learning and zeal would not be suf
fcien 10 ensure the best and most efficient discharge
of their duties. They should be capable of giving
good udicious and suitable advice in regard to null
tltude of matters connected with the instruction and
management of schools. Indeed we regard the use
fulncss and of present school system as
I1ccpendent IN no small degree upon the manner in
which they discharge the varied duties growing out Of
their close and intimate connection with our common
schools.
And now we will venture to express our confident
belief that there may be found in all our towns men
uniting i'll a competent degree, all these important
qualifications.
Having said thus much in regard to requisite quaf-
cations, propose to offer few suggestions with ref
erence to the proper number to be appointed in each
town. BY the act authorizing the appointment it is
provided that each town may elect or more, not
exceeding three. But we would recommend the ap-
pontment OF one only provided one can be found who
may be relied to discharge the duties One of the
advantages of this plan would be, that one, thus APP
pointed solely would feel deeper responsibility rest
ngon him than if his responsibility and obligations
I1uor 1oA hotto T.
tage would be, that if the labors performed by
one he would acquire an experience and facility in the
| performance of it. And another and very important
advantage would be, that the more one abored in th!
vocation the more deeply would his feelings become
engaged, the deeply would his love for the EN-
poyment be increased, and the more actively would
his energies be exerted And just in that same pro
portion would his substantial usefulness be increased
If, however, from any cause there should be doub
whether the individual on whom the first preference
might fall would be able TO discharge alone, the iii
ties of the appointment, additional one should be ap
pointed.
1t cannot be objected to this plan of comforting TIN
appointment on one individual, that it is giving him
exclusively, "at Office" The compensation allowe
V being not to exceed one dollar per day. cannot b.
deemed to hold out any strong temptation to any ind
vidual to seek the office tor Tie sake of its pecunur
profits 1t was the intent, doubtless, of the Legsla
I ture to place the compensation SO low that tow
could reasonably regard it as burden to pay twill
T. on the other hand it hoped that saving as it doe
. the individual from making entire sacrifice of hi
q time and labor for the public veal there might b
Il found those who would feel sufficiently interested
be willing to engage in the exalted and ennobling
terprise.
And now, Mr. Editor will you insert this, and sole
your brethren of the press to copy-and comment,
they have any different opinions to express, or add
= tiona suggestions to offer.
Il A FRIEND OF COMMON Schools.
j.