The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-10-22
POSTAGE.
Address Of Secretary Adams.

The Address Of j. S. Adams, ESQ, Secretary
OF the State Board Of Education, in the Repre-.
sentatiyes Hall last evening vas Of unusual in
terest, both with respect to the style Of the ad
dress and the educational topics Of which it
treated II was fully attended, and among the
audience were the Presidents and other officers
of the collegiate institutions of the State.
After referring to the embarrassment which
he felt in speaking officially of the educational
interests OF tie State in the present position OF
affairs with reference to them, Mr.. Adams ad-
verified to the Importance which properly belong
ed to the public recognition by the Legislature
OF such interests. few years ago it would
have been strange and surprising thing for
the Legislature to have assembled to listen to
an address upon the subject of education IL
would have been deemed method OF recogniz-
ing the importance OF the subject wholly I'M
cal led for and quite out OF character. This
lack OF official recognition had been one Of the
things from which the cause Of education had
suffered most in Vermont. Shrewd and calcu-
lating business men bad learned to regard school
matters ms of secondary Importance. If the
Legislature deemed them of little consequence,
so as matter of course would citizens gener-
ally. Since the organization of the Board of
Education and the enactment of the school law
this has been cha nged and now it is not sur
prising that the leading men OF thp State assem-
BILE to consider these interests as Of the first inn
portance. Affairs have changed very much
since ten years ago. Then, although tho law
provided for the election of State Superinten-
dant OF schools, the Office was allowed to remain
vacant. Contempt was felt for the law, be-
cause the Legi lature treated such matters with
neglect.
School affairs had suffered more from pervert-
ed public sentiment than from any other cause
There IL curious page in our history in refer
ence to this 1t is undoubted that the Yer
monter has always felt genuine respect for
education abstractly consider ed lie does not
pay respect 50 much to wealth or position as to
int erlectual ability and culture. 1t was the
neglect OF e!ding men in regard to school in
terests that controlled and misdirected public
sentiment. Contras, with this the way sucl
matters are managed in Massachusetts,, and see
also the result. If in that State there has been
man OF towering strength and mastery ability,
it has been for such one especially to take
part in advancing the cause of education. Ii is
a singular fact that all the most renowned men
OF that State have connected their names with
ats educa tional interests. Sumner, Wilson and
ment. Jast 10 proportion to mans elevation
there, has been the interest he has shown in the
public schools. In Vermont, just the reverse
of this was formerly true. The subject Of edu-
cation was considered I'll matter for joke.
Legislation upon this subject for the last ten
years has accomplished much. Mr. Adams
proposed to direct attention 20 some changes
that have been made for the better, and to point
out some Deficiencies Of the school law that
still required to be supplied The school law of
Vermont was adopted from the laws of other
States. 1t is not, therefore, complete and con.
sisteut whole Legislation has been required
to fill out various points. Ia reference to such
supplementary legislation. some leading men
who should do otherwise, present objections.
The first point Of legislation of this character
which Is noticeable, is that which provides for
supplying school registers 10 obtain Stats.
tics Of our schools is of the highest Importance.
The popular complaint agaius, men who adyo.
cato measures for the improvement of schools