Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-03-31
Mnntneliar Union School.

that excellent Institution, the Washington
County Grammar School, and the new Montpe-
lier Union School, and the superior and tasteful
manner in which it is erected, and have now
only to say that it is all that parent or scholar
could wish in beauty or convenience. The ma
chincry of setting school in motion is now the
local subject of discussion. And upon this sub
ject we must allow those wiser and older in ex-
perience to dictate. The thing is not yet COM
plete, its success not past the anxiety of its
friends, and we think it well to watch and wait.
The question now at issue is whether to aban
don the several District Schools and JOIN in one
consolidated Union School, or to keep up the
organization of the several primary District
Schools until the Union School is got in success
full operation at which time there will be
better opportunity to judge whether the several
primary District Schools, or q part of them, are
needed.
Upon this subject we find an article in the
incde with our own, that we give it place and
adopt and endorse it entire. with the remark,
however, that it isn't always that we find 50
much of good in SO small a space in that paper.
1t is as follows:
Several articles have appeared in other news
papers In the village, about the new School
lIouse-all speaking in high terms of the build
ing, and its adaptation to the wants of both the
village and county, for the purposes designed il
discretion Being ourselves of the Building
Committee, it does not become lis to speak in
praise of the House, neither will We condemn
what every other one approves. We think
when ompleted, 1t viii answer the expectations
of those who pay for it Soon after the first of
April, the Committee expect to have it finished
and furnished, and by the first of May ready
for use. While, therefore, we refrain from say
ing anything further at present about the House,
we trust our friends will not regard it out Of
place for us to say word about the school,
The inquiry is already being made 10y these
residing in and out Of town, who is to be at tie
head Of the Teachers department? When is
the school to commence?
We have seen nc one prepared to answer these
questions, and we presume no one knows.
The house is comparatively worthless unless
filled with scholars, under the discipline Of CON-
peteRt Teachers.
Great care should be had in the selection of
all the Ieachers-more especially in the~one
who is to have the general supervision Of the
whole school. A failure in this selection, If not
fatal to the ultimate prosperity of the school,
would be an iireparable mistake better have
poor house with good Teacher, than Il poor
Teacher in good house. We want both the
good house and the good Teacher, and nothing
short Of this will answer the purpose.
1t will soon be necessary, under the laws of
the State, to elect committee, whose duty it
will be to put the school in operation. The
election must he either made by the Union Dis
trlct in mass. OF by the several Districts under
their separate organizations. An act was passed
at the last session of the Legislature, CONSOLIDATE
ing the four districts into one, if the Union
District shall so vote, and in such case the
election of the school committee, consisting Of
not less than three. or more than five, deyoiyes
on the Union District, and this committee, When
elected, may supply ether rooms for schooling
as may best accommodate all the children ID
any part of the village.
We never saw this act. or any part of it till
it appeared in pamphlet, consequently we claim
no credit for the valuable provisions it contains
neither are we liable for any Of its defects LII
general features we are inclined to favor w.
would by no means vote to reject it, neither arr
we sure that it would be best to accept it at Thu
tim'.
That provision that necessarily extinguishe,
the several districts on the acceptance Of the act
is liable to severe criticism, and its propriety t.
say the least, is very doubtful.
Would it not be better to test the workin,
Of the new system, before annihiating the old
, Would itnot be better to leave it with the seyera
districts to close up and sell off their propert
when they Judge best? 1t is evident that
: portion Of tho four school houses will not b
) needed after the Union goes into operation
very likely the locations of the others win +
quire a change.
/ A practical operation Of the new school vii
| soon determine this, and at future session @
Q the Legislature, this law can be altered 50 as t.
s provide for all reasonable contingencies, AM
/; when we know what we need by IL practica
( demonstration, We can make the act conform
| to cur wants.
Q The question who is to elect the committee,
r a matter of small moment Just now, compare
= with the other who the men slall be.
e They should he men Of liberal views, posses
sing large hearts, governed by no local or sefs
considerations, but looking to the best interest
Of the Town and County. Men who will &C
n operate with the Trustees of Washington &c
o Grammar School, and make that school til
h model school of the State
n Men who will regard themselves richly pai
t Cor their labor in elevating the school ut tn
capital of the State, to the highest standard
any within the range of the Green Mountain,
, Men who will stay up the hands of the Teacl
ess IN their several demrtments-attend the c,
>, aminations of the schools, and let the childre
y as well as Teachers know by their presence thu
. they have an interest in the success of tt
= school And last, though not least, men thu
!" will see that Board and other accommodation
for Students, can he had at suitable places, an
e at reasonable price.
There is no better location for schooling
the State than at Montpeior-no house so con
i" pletely finished and furnished as ours. "
!, want only an infusion of liberal feelings I'M
>, the minds of our citizens. such as will give
cordial and hearty welcome to the pupils thu
Will seek to come amongst us, to make Oh
school OF more real service to our town, thu
u the noble edifce for which the people Of OF
village haze poured ont their hard earnin
=, without STINT for the use of the State.
- Our purpose should he to educate statesmc
- and orators in that school house, under slls
II moral training as shall make them good ar
!. useful citizens. Theology will be taught els
. where. We have good and competent ministe
- to instruct in that department--not in Il
70 school honso-but in their own Churches
- Teachers in the school will need have no ankle
Il on this subject. as they will not he expected
Ia make proselytes to any sect OF denomination
re- By pushing forward this enterprise with unit,
ST energy we may render the State even more va
ar liable service in the intellectual culture of h
10 sons and daughters, than We possibly can do
is dedieatlng to her use that paltry trash whil
A. misers only covet.
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES FROM EURorE.-T