The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-10-22


were not organized into companies. and to dis.
miss without pay those who may refuse to obey
orders w WY
MI Thomas wished to know the facts calling
Tor such resolution.
ME- seymour stated that he had learned the
. .' ana after partially stating them, moved
.hat the resolution be referred to Com. on Mil
ltary Affairs ; and it was so referred.
Mr' Town OF Woodbury.. introduced bill
changing the name of Charles Fisher referred
to General Com
House bill u, relating to taxing all school
expenses upon the grand list was ken np and
considered. 1t was moved that the bill be dis
missed
Mr.. Thomas said he hoped the bill would not
DC dismissed, but would become u law. lie ar
gued at length the position that the children are
the property of the State, and upon their edu
cation depends its prosperity.
mr.. Skeels OF liighsate was in favor of tho
ea'SitAg law aa representative from the rural
dls'ricts, ne was IN favor of the practice of
boarding round" He hoped the bill would
be dismissed
Mr. liallock stated that he had lad some ex
peflence IN matters Of education and would
ho' yleid to any one In respect of generous feel
'hgs, tor the cause of education. While in
many Of the towns they chose to nav school
taxes upon the grand list, he thought they should
not be compelled to do So In many of the ru-
raj districts the people would prefer to have the
teacher at their treside, and know to whom they
entrusted the educa ton Of their children.
Mr.. Fletcher of Cavendish said should
be remiss in an important duty if should fail
to labor earnestly in promoting the interests of
common schools These schools regard as the
nj and moral Duroor;o, rs H.
1t is to labor contrived by the heads, and per-
formed by the hands Of intelligent fleemcn, that
Vermont owes her present honorable character
The well spring of this intelligence is found IN
the district school house. In my view, when
legislators lose sight of this foundation interest
popular education-they fail to fulfil faith
fully the high trust committed to them and do
great injustice to those who have given them
their confidence | feel checked IN making
any remarks touching the importance Of COM
mon school education. 1t is to be presumed
that men sent here to guard the rights, and
promote the best interests OF the State, are fully
aware that on this subject they have d high and
sacred duty to perform, one which cannot be
omitted Or neglected without mourning guilt
1t is alike the interest of tho individual and of
The public that every child within the limits of
the commonwealth should receive the priceless
blessing Of common school education 1t is,
however, Il melancholy truth, that there are
men who take narrow view Of this subject.--7
They seem unconscious OF their c0nnCutOn
with, and obligations to society. They would
live i'll their own private pursuits, and for the
accomplishment OF their own private purposes,
Indifferent to the public interests. They seem
not to recognize the claims of society upon all
its members They enjoy its ten thousand bless
ings, flowing from its happy institutions
and sustain them. They remind me Of
the man aboard the leaky vessel who was re-
qucsted to help ado, but he declined, saying,
that he was only passenger.
Equally absurd is the attempt Of an indiyid-
ual to disconnect his interests from those Of So
ciet7. The present law allows the selfish man
to neglect the public good to some extent and to
consult his pecuniary interest. In no other
way can money be expended in which every
class Of people would share so equally in its
benefits. The poor receive the rich treasure Of
instr uction and knowledge. The rich are am
ply repaid in the protection which education
secures to them against the depredations Of lg-
norance and vice. 1t is the best insurance on
property, at the lowest premium, 1t saves the
expenses os poor houses, .ails, and pententia-
rier. | feel indebted to the common school
system, graduated at little school house over
among the hills in Windsor County, l would
not forget my alma mater.
MIR. Beard Of Pittsfeld, said that the bill had
been called up unexpectedly, at least to its
friends lie held in his hand petition for the
object contemplated by the bill, and other pc
titlons were in circulation. lie referred also to
the report of the Secretary of the Board Of Ed
ucation, and the expressed opinion Of the school
superintendent in favor Of the provision of the
bill.
Mr. Flagg OF Wilmington, thought there
wero two sides to the question three-fouIths
Of the voters in his town would be opposed to
the bill at the present time. While they were
anxious for the welfare of schools, they wished
to have some of the money raised to support
them at their own command,
MIR. Woodbury. Of Springfield, related the
facts in reference to the working Of the present
law as they had come to his knowledge. lie
had known scholars excluded from school for
want of means TO paw the tax rs now raised on
the scholar
On motion of Mr.. Woodbury., the House took
recess of ten minutes.
Mr. Ranney Of Brattleboro thought as
chairman of Com on Education, he should give
his views lie related the facts which had in
'48 induced the people to petition for the pres
ent law. lie gave the history of its working,
and thought that while there could be no ques-
ton OF the truth of the principle involved IN
the bill, expediency required that in the preseItt
crisis no farther action should be taken.
MIR. Gardner was not in favor Of action at
nrpsent 1t would be better not to advance un-
I'll progress was sure in the right direction. 1t
might prove a reverse just now.