The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1851-01-09
KEENE, N. H.. Nov. 1850.

! To the .Schoo, Committee Of Brat.
tleboro. Eds. Village: GENrLEMrH:-
! As early as the summer Of 1874, six
years ago, heard. incidentally, that
the Common Schools Of Brat,leboro had
been organized upon an entirely new
principle--a principle that recognized
the duty and the prcrogative Of THE peo-
Pile, in their colleetire and corporate ca,
pacity not only TO attend TO the ertern-
al affairs, but also to direct and control
the internal police and government of
the schools, in such manner as the high.
es. good Of the community might seem
to require.
This doctrine, novel and startling as
j, was, and directly opposed to the the
ory and practice in New England from
the Common School - IN institution
which has immortalized its ilus.rious
founders-obiained favor with the in
,elligcnt citizens Of your enterprizing
village. After full and fair discuss
ion by .hc people in Convention assem-
bled at sundrv times, the grand, fiinda-
mental principle was finally establish
ed, that i; was not only their absolute
right, but their Joundcn duty to pre-.
scribe the laws by which their schools
should be governed, and thus to relieve
the teacher from the terrible response
bili,y Of framing his own statute.
In accordance with this vital princi
| Pile, a system of - rules AND REGU
. 1IoNs" was reported by Committee
, appointed for that purpose, and unani
mously adopted by the district. All the
Common Schools were provided will
copies Of the laws, and the teachers, by
4, and with the advice Of the School com
mittee, were charged to see that the,
|, were carried on, according TO their tru,
!. spirit and intent, in their respective
q Schools.
Aware of these facts, and being full,
persuaded Of the truth and efficiency o
!, the new theory, have constantly fel
J, an intense desire 10 visit your school,
and see, with my own eyes, hom III
system worked. l had the greater de
: sire TO do this. in consequence Of hav
! ing been recently and unexpected
(, called TO act as Commissioner Of Coul
mon Schools for Cheshire County tn
!, current year. From careful inspco
!, ton o. your schools, and by comparin;
! their practical operation with that G
the schools Of Cheshire county. | tho
| should be able to determine the CON
paraiive merits OF the two systems.
J. Ii appears that the village Of Brat
,leboro originally constituted one dis
IS trici, ard one school. As the popuia
=. lion increased, the schools were mult
l. piled in this one district 10 meet tn
h wants Of the people so that a. III
pre- sent time. there is still ore distIi,
r and sir schools: four " Primary" ,
C the same grade, composed Of childre
T. from 4 TO 10 years Of age one " Iatet
mediate" Of higher grade, compose
v Of scholars who have completed th
course Of studies required in the A" Pr
e mary" and who are admitted on e,
animation and one "Cen'ral, N
'e highes, grade. composed OF scholars WI
have finished the course prescribed
ie the intermediate" and who are ali
j! admitted on examination. In the "Cei
tral " school. The children have an o.
to poriunity Of completing their scho
course Of study, ard Of graduating fro
r. year TO year in the possession Of a COT,
pleie Eog.ish education, well quaiii'
r. 10 discharge the multifarious duties I
life.
TIE fosr Primary schools are si,ua