The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-09-16
From the School journal.
Small Districts and the School
TaTyT

MesSrs EDITORS - do not write Tor inc
sake Of controversy, but as your journal is
the vehicle to carry the thoughts OF those m
terested in the welfare of Common Schools,
and entertaining as l do, different views
from those expressed by one ofyour contrib
utors, TRUST you will pardon me ior "f'"No
the following article.
notice in vour fourth No. over 49, a
nroposition to have a change made in the dl-
vision of the public money among the several
school districts, dividing the whole amount G.
uually by the scholar in the same manner that
the division of thrce-tourths is now made.
The writer contends that this would effect
ualv remove the evils now arising from the
multiplicity of DISTRICTS and place all upon
an equal footing
The unavoidable Disadvantages of those
residing in back districts, among which are
bad roadsin winter, great distance from school,
Daucity Of scholars. and the comparatively
few to support schools, render the footing Of
all now unequal: and to strip from the weak
for the benefit Of the strong their equal share
of one-fourih the public money, would nee
essarily increase the tax to such an extent
that in many cases schools would not be sup
ported at all, or if supported, they must be
cheap, deliver us from cheap schools thus
placing good schools beyond the reach otmany
children as worthy and as susceptible Of
mental curtiva; IN as those residing in th'ckiy
p11ula'e ed districts.
Much as IdcDrecate the multiplicity Of dis
tricL3 and the evils arising theretrom, can
not bari,9r the thourht Of having the privil.
ere ofscAool taken from child Of our land,
ia change in Sec. 50, Chap. Is, r. s. is to
he made. | would suggest, or second sagges-
ton already made, TO have the money drawn
by the scholars that actully attend school and
in proportion to their attendance, rather than
bv the number Of children between the ages
Of 4 and IS that may chance to be IN the dis
tl;ot on the first day Of January.
BY pursuing this course, am OF opinion
TINT salutary influence would be excrted up
on our common schools. In the first place, II
would have tendency to secure the Functua
attendance of every scholar in the district
for if no more purer motive prompted, pc
CANARY interest would induce many to inter
est themselves in the attendance OF children
at school, that nov in relation to schools ant
their condition, seem wholly indifferent
When the interests of p1rcnts,and attendance
of scholars is secured, We may consider the
reformation Of our schools begun
In the second place, if the division Of tn,
public moaay we're made as above proposed
it would be apparent to a Il residing IN small
districts that an extension Of their territory
ana an acquisition of more scholars would re
suit in the dimaniton Of taxes; hence meas
ures would be taken, not to abolish schools
bat to cHGct union with other districts.
Pccuniary interest with many is the grea
incentive to action, and IT oar school Law
can be 50 amended that it shall be apparen
70 sYoh that large schools and those well at
tended are the most profitable say LET u
have the amendment. IL
ARREST OF MRs, REsTELL.-Thi woman
has at length fallen into the hands OF the law
and il is thought that the evidence is sutlicien
TO ensure her conyiction-sholld she ever b.
triaJ. The n. Y. Courier and Enquirer ha
the following particulars, which, there can b
little doubt, are from an authentic source :
Some weeks since the Mayor received
letter from a respectable physician in Ofang
county, informing HIM of the condition of tn
Young female, patient under his charge
whose constitution was entirely ruined by he
connection with Mrs. Restell, and he reqnes
tel that enquiries might be instituted. an
Mwor, accordingly, after consulting with tn
chief of police despatched officer BoWyef L
Or,nra County, where he had an interview
with the unfortunate girl, whose story Dor
the entire impression OF truth The girl con
saotin%. she was brought to this City, an,
has been kept sccrcted at the expense OF tn
ritv nntil the meeting of the Grand jury OF
Monday.
The District Attorney, who meanwhile ha
n,cogrcl the papers, laid them before tina
b,ly. and the result was the prompt findln
oft6ryc bills, one against Mrs. Restel 10
p}a,slaurhtcr in the second degree, one {
r,inst the seducer Of the unfortunate girl,
WEALTHY manufacturer in Orange county,wh
sont her to Mrs Rostell's, and one against h
snryant who accompanied the girl to the dcI
The two latter are not arrested, but as Bow
-nr is after the principal, we shall be able
H,mc him TOMORROW. As soon as the bill WI
found, q bench warrant was issued for the a
rast of Mrs. r., which was given to Bowye
who served it rs the accused was ahght'i
from her carriage in which she had been
kim her morning ride. She was taken
the Tombs, when bail was demanded in II
pun of $4,000, falling to procure which, 81
is still in custody
The Tribune adds-'At late hour Ia
night, the bail offered being refused, Ma
a1c Restell was committed to prison.
Tho stock is taken for the continuation
Aha Honnncticut River Railroad from Gree
Gnid f. the line Of Vermont. This will gl'
ncootinuoug railroad track from New 70
city to within 18 miles Of this Ylliage' "nT T
# he inhabitants along the Aahuelot vail
exercise slight degree Of energy,lt VIII co
neat with the great lines north Of us, as N
+or Of interest and we believe alta great saw
Of cxnense. A handsome subscrptiorTtor
survey of the Ashuclot road is already ma
ba7o, and we trust our friends in Swanz'
Winchester and IIinsdalo will exert the
salyos to make up the balance necessary,tIl
the io survey may be made without delay; q
Wv ~. 1.,sentcl to the Stockholm