The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-06-08
From the Brattleboro Eagle.
Have we a Candidate among us |!


In recent editorial of the Middlcbu-
ry Register, copied into your paper, the
grond is taken that, if hc Jricnds of
cclucdtion will do Meir duty, we shall
have a State Superintendent of Common
Schools.
What is this but assuming the posi-
ton that the responsibility rests acith
them, that we do not enjoy the benefit of
such an officers labors2 Is not this the
truth We are accustomed to attribute
the recent legislation Tor want of it) to
the Indifferent and the opponents ofpro-
gress. Now there are those who seem
to occupy such position, is lamentably
true; but to whom is it to be attributed
that there are such
What has ever been done to make
their number less IT is not to be ex-
pccted that all will come forward spon-
taneously, to support of measures which
the most enlightened and interested
rather apologize for than sustain.
Have the friends of this measure ever
manifested any considerable degree of
the wisdom, and energy and confidence
which are regarded as essential to the
success of railroad project or politi-
cal nomination ? Not that it should be
brought into the arena of political strife,
but it should be understood by its advo-
Gates and they should understand each
other, act in concert, act with con-
iidence in 1t and in the man whom they
present for the Office.
Now has there been any such action
for the last two yearsl
Every State Superintendent in New
England has been subject to violent at
tacks. Have those who were in posi-
ton to do so, ever striven to ward of
the attacks from the former incumbents
in this State ?
| Or have they put forth efforts to save
the Office if they could not the men
Certainly, nothing less could be cxpec
ted of them, than that they should sup
port the men they had, or find Others
worthy of the trust.
1t would be sheer folly to expect tha
others would join in the support of mel
in whom their friends could not repos,
entire confidence.
Nor are they unreasonable in this Ii
the present chaotic state of our scnoo
system, everything depends upon the Of
ficcr to whom it is entrusted
There is-as there should be-ver'
great reluctance to consign so importan
interests entirely to the charge of an,
man in regard to whom we have not tn
, strongest assurances not only of his Gu
| pabilities, but Of his adaptation to th
| work.
Now have such assurances been give
p within the past two years, with refer
cnce to any man who could be obtained
Have any considerable portion of til
, friends of education and of the Office c,
er united heartily in the support of an
D one as the mon for the place
5 Have they SoNght to find such an ono
G | do not mean have they telcgraphed, q
= election time, to some man already owe
C whclmed with responsibilities, askin
: him to be candidate, or even offerin
q him handsome increase of salary, if L
would take and could get the Office
> But, have they ever exercised II
. same foresight and industry in sechin
J, q nun for h1S position, which would !
c thought requisite in securing one for
= private enterprise involving tenth pa
Is of the pecuniary outlay alone.
It AS it at present stands, the position
c not one to be sought by men competol
to its duties. That a man desires it,
!, regarded as l'rin'a tacia evidence of h
" unitness for it. 1t is felt that it rcquir
J a grade Of talent which does not need
= seek employment, and OF character whi'
> will not stoop to beg it,
/ Can man of the requisite qualifc
IS tions be found and secured ? There a
/, two Vermonters, young unincumberc
+ at just the age and position from whi(
to throw themselves into an importai
! enterprise with the utmost zeal, cnerg
j. and assurance of success; about engag
. ing in educational labors experience
!" in teaching. in our own and other state
: in the com mon school-roem and in IL
professors's chair men of extensive o
portunitios for observation in our oW
|. and foreign lands of liberal professions
a and European education men of fine a
n pearancc and address ofsuperior l,lty
e ical-as well as intellectual and moral
u powers; men of remarkable power
$ conversation and in public spcaking,an
!, writing anil against whom it is prob
+ bic that no legislator has any pregudic
0 Has any one been so on the look OF
= for the right man for this positions
4 peculiar in its demands and so reSpons
ble-as to have had his eye on thes
4 two men and to have learned whethC
:, either of them is THE MAN, and, if S,
: whether he can be secured amid the u
gent claims for his labors ? CIvIs.
Bellows Falls, May 10, 1853.