Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-11-12
ours,
MONTPELIER, Nov, S

Editors Free Press
The Circus Bill, so called-an
| act to grant license to Sands, Nathan & Co. to
| exhibit their trained animals in Vermont-was
dismissed in the House on Wednesday. Yesterday
an effort was made to reconsider, to get it
back for discussion, but it failed by large major
ity. 1t advocated on the ground that the peo-
pie demand some amusement that this would fur.
nish it; and, at the same time add revenue to the
State. At the opening of the debate more partic-
ularly, it was contended that this Company was
large and honorable one-not a Circus-not
like tho Monkey Shows heretofore introduced; !;
hence the entertainment it gives would be rationa
and moral in its influences. But the bill gives not
particle of security for this and when the de-
mand was made upon those who advocated the bill
to give some pledge that this would be any better
than the worst in its moral influence or manage
ment, no pledge could be given. The fact is, this
was only a sugar-coated pill-the sugar dexterousy
put to sweeten it to the taste Of the Legislature
We have no assurance but this Company would do
what other Companies do-divide up their large
establishment for Summer peregrinations, and send
one of the smallest portions of it into Vermont.
The smallness of our towns and the sparseness of
population in Vermont, makes it certain this would
be- For the advocates Of the bill asserted inad
vertently Ito show the respecabilty of the thing)
that the whole Company was so large and expensive
that it would not pay to exhibit, in the large
| Cities Of the Union.
| Yesterday the House had under consideration
| the School bill reported by Committee. This was
| the bill prepared by the Secretary of the Board,
with some amendments, not material save in two
instances, Mr., Adams proposed to divide that
portion of the public money now distributed in
proportion to the number of scholars in the district
in proportion to the aggregate attendance; the Com
mittee changed it to average daily attendance. The
Committee also put the pay of the Superintendent
down to one dollar. The bill was received at the
outset with marked favor. All seemed anxious to
be understood favoring the bill as whole; new
ertheless they pitched into it from the right and
left-one wanting an addition, another a striking
out, and another the idea in different words.
The chief alterations made we're; to extend the
legal age of scholars from to 20; to change the
dates at which the distribution of the money is to
be made, and at which the registers are to be re-
turned, as to bring both these within the school
year. which by the bill closes the last of March
| to strike out the words "progress and improve
ment" the specincation Of statistics to be kept
by the teacher. Also, the | lth section 18th in Mr.
Adams bill,) was stricken out This was advocated
mainly by Messrs. Linsley and Dsane, on the
ground that it not essential to the bill, it
involved a large expense, and would thereby
prejudice the whole bill before the people Mr..
Deane also contended that the bill was an expert.
ment and next year might be wiped of from the
statute. .book-we had better perfect tho laws and
then print them. In opposition it was said by Mr.
Fsrrin, MI. Woodbridge Others that. the bill va,
not introducing . new system Of Schools, but fur.
nishing some essential instruments to make our pre-.
sent system more efficient. Among these instrument,
were the sections requiring registration and satis
tics These impose new duties upon Tsachers
District Clerks and certain Town officers, and the
sueea.fui operation of the new provisions, and
largely Of the old laws, depends giving this in
formation Of what the laws are, to those especially
involved in carrying 1t out. So this section
is of the needed helps to the successful opera
tion Of the law, and will, therefore be means K
prevent its repeal, and make it permanent. A
motion was made by Mr.. Stafford to amend so as tc
pay superintendents 81 so instead of 81 per day
this was refused, not because 81 so was too much
but through fear that it would prejudice the bill
in the estimation of the people. The bill passet
unanimously.
Yours, L.
P.s. Bankers. Railroad men, and men inter
ested in changes Of Town and County lines, ar
coming into Town in large numbers.