Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-02-12
From the St. Adams Messenger.
TOWN OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

lON N COIENI4N EN- DEN
1t will be borne in mind that the period is ap-
preaching for the appointment Of town Superinten-
dents of common schools, they are TO be chosen
by the several towns at their annual March meet.
ngs. And since the Office cannot be regarded
otherwise than as very important one under our
present school system, it appears desirable that the
people should in advance, settle 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 invit-
ing discussion propose to offer my own opinion.
In the first place, then, believe our Town Su-
perntendents should be men of good elementary
educaton-well acquainted with first principles
and if possible, men who have had some expert
ence actual teaching. We do not consider it at
all essential that they should be-to use familiar
phrase" college learned men . for allowing that
such could be found in every town who could be
induced to undertake the duties of the office thew
would not by any means necessarily be the best
qualified. Ertent Of learning we should regard as
matter of less consequence than of thoroughness
of acquaintance with those branches usually taught
in our schools. Without this Superintendent
would not be competent to test the Scholarship of
those who are to teach those branches or to Judge
when schools are correctly and properly instructed.
Still, the more Superintendent knows the better
provided always that he knows it ieeH
In the next place 1t would seem desirable that
those officers should feel deep interest in the
cause of common school education. We would
not, however set this down an indispensable pre-
requisite in case the other qualifications are secur-
ed for we can scarcely think it possible that one
should labor long in such delightful and Interest,"
ing field as this, without his feelings becoming
deeply enlisted, and his soul kinded in view of
the interest that surrounds ii. Ii is great law OF
our nature that what we have aided and foslered
and cherished we soon learn to love. And this
general law must especially hold good in regard to
an object of such intrinsic and essential interest
] Il, rIo, ha col ind w
could resist the genial influence OF such an occupa-
ton as that which we are contemplating. Still we
should regard good deal of interest on this sub
iect in advance, as a very excellent piece of capt.
tai to commence business with; and perhaps
moderate amount might be deemed essential.
Again. Town Superintendent should be men
of good common sense, sound judgment, prudence
and discretion. Mere learning and zeal would not
be sufficient to the best and most efficient
discharge of their duties They should be capable
of giving good, judiclous, and suitable advice in
regard 10 "a multitude Of matters connected with
the instruction and management Of schools. In
deed we regard the usefulness and success of our
present school system as depending in no small
degree, upon the manner in which they discharge
the various duties growing out OF their close and
intimate connection with our comn,on schools,
| And now we will venture to express our conf
dent belief that there may be oundin all our towns
men uniting, in competent degree, all these I'M
portant qualifications.
Having said thus much in regard to requisite
qualifications, we propose to offer few sugges-
! lions with reference to the proper number to be
appointed in each town. BY the act authorizing
their appointment it is provided that each town
may elect one or more not exceeding three But
we would recommend the appointment OF only one
provided one can be found who may be relied on
! TO discharge the duties One Of the advantages of
this plan would be that one, thus appointed solely,
would feel deeper responsibility resting on him
than il his responsibility and obligations we're di
yided between two or three. Another advantage
would be that if the labors were performed by one,
he would acquire an experience and facility IN the
performance Of it. And another and very impor-
taut advantage would be that the more one labor
ed in his VOCATION the more deeply would his feel
ings become engaged, the more deeply would his
love for his employment be increased, aud the more
actively would his energies be exerted. And Just
in that proportion would his substantial usefulness
be increased IT, however, from any cause, there
should be doubt whether the individual on whom
the first preference might fall, would be able to
discharge alone the duties OF the appointment an
additional one should be appointed.
II cannot be objected TO this plan Of comforting
the amendment of one individual, that it is giving
him. exclusively a fat Office The compensation
! allowed, being not TO exceed one dollar per day,
cannot be deemed to hold out any strong telnpta-
ton TO any individual to seek the office for the sake
of its pecuniary profits. 1t was the intent, doubt
! less, of our Legislature to place the compensation
so low that no town could reasonably regard II as
a burden to pay it-while on the other hand II mop
ed that saving as it docs the individual from max
inc an entire sacrifice of his time and labor for the
| public veal there might be found those who would
| feel sufficiently interested to be willing to engage
| in the exalted and ennobling enterprise.
FRIEND OF COMMON SCHOOLS.