Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-01-18
Correspondence.
For the Standard.
Money! Money!! Money u!

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such danger am about to aPprise you, il
indeed there be any danger at all.
That every taxpayer has an interest
in our common school system, and every
other person should have, is unquestion-
ably true; and from the fact that many
seem to have no interest further than
their pockets, we have supposed that
nothing would be so likely to stir them to
duty as the cry of money.
That our present school system has
done and is still doing much to elevate
the standard of education l am persua-
ded none but an ignoramus upon this sub
ject will have the audacity to deny. And
| am confident that the system fully car
ried out would have accomplished much
more than it has.
There can be but very little doubt that
unfaithfulness on the part of Superin-
notwithstanding unqualified. and IN
worthy individuals has had counter-act-
ing influence upon the general character
ofschools as well as to bring the law requi-
ring such license into disrepute; so that
many boldly affirm that ''the law makes
no difference all who apply for a
license get it." That this taunt is too
true l have little doubt, yet 1 have the
pleasure of knowing that there are ex-
ceptions, and all who apply for licenses
do not get them. L wish there might be
more carefulness in this matter.
This is not all Prudential Commit
tees and teachers have been in fault in
numerous cases, they have disregarded
the requirements of the law which makes
it the duty of every teacher of district
school to secure a certificate of his or her
qualification before entering such school.
Believing that the interest of our
schools demands more rigid adherence
to the law, and believing also that as
law-abiding people many now delinquent
would be aroused to duty, did they fully
understand what is required; 1 beg to
submit to their consideration the follow
ing remarks made by Horace Eaton,
formerly state superintendent in his
report to the Legislature of this State in
1850.
Speaking of teachers without license,
he says In such case the teacher. of
course, Is aware that he forfeits his claim
to his stipulated wages. But trusting to
the Assurance of the prudential commit
make no difference or relying as he
terms it upon their good faith, -that is
the faith that they too, as well as he will
violate the law of the land,-he NAV
deem it safe to run his risk. And the
result is not improbable, that the illegal
contract will be fulfilled. Iii of course
understood by the district that no tax
could be enforced for the payment of such
teachers wages. But probably there
is sufficient amount of public money
under the control of the committee to
meet the case, and hence no difficulty NAV
arise because there is no tax to be resist.
ed.
But is this legally the end of the mat
ter! 1t is believed not. As has already
been intimated, the prudential committee |
violate law in paying the teacher under
.hese circumstances. The law expressly
provides that the teachers certificate shall
De recorded before any payment is made
o him for his services" This clause of
he law has been repealed; and the fol-
owing act seems to be substitute
1T shall be the duty of town supeiin-
endents of common schools to make ont
nd lodge in the town clerks office in
heir respective towns, annually, on or /
etore the first day of February. a list of S
ne names of all the teachers to whom S
iey have granted certificates during the t
recedlng year, together with the respec- n
We dates of the certificates" t
After referring to the law as above. S
lr. Eaton proceeds thus: "And can any d
ne doubt that the committee have made Il
lemselves liable to the district for mis- il
'pilcation of their funds; for paying out Ia
elr money in an illegal manner, or for r.
egal purposes? A simple statement of u
e question would seem sufficient to Sc
Ire an affirmative answer. a.
But it is highly probable that the dis n
let will be Indifferent to the matter in a
much as no tax was raised upon them. fl
ID their share of the public school mon ii
would have been forfeited if no school If,
d been taught. -,
ne presumption then is that the COM to
ttee will thus far escape unframed. ar
ana Is not all danger past now? It is II
heved not. The selectmen of the town -
Iore distributing share of the public "a
'ney to given district, must ascertain M
long other things, that the moneys e.
AVN from the town treasury the year