Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-02-01
Teachers, Institute "a, New Haven.
MIDDIEpUny, w., Jan, 20, 1866.

ing your valuable paper this winter, l
do not know but you may have received
a communication relating to the Teach
ers' Institute, holden at New Haven
Vt, on the 10Th and Goth inst. If so,
this Of course, will be rejected, The ex-
erclseS began Thursday evenln. ;nc
18th inst, Wit. It lecture delivered by
Sec. Adams, upon the Importance Of
more interest in ttaeir common schools
by the good people of Vermont. The
blunt facts, cutting remarks and ready
wit Of the Secretary, couched in his
own peculiar style, did not fail to excite
an interest on the part of the people Of
New Haven, and all hearers, which l
dare say will show itself in the shape
of new school houses, better pay for
teachers, and consequently better teach
ers.
He gave it as a fact that the majority
of the district school committees of the
State Of Vermont would hire q teacher,
whom, if he would offer his servicer as
a day laborer on the farm, or as me-
chaniC, for the same wages, they would
reject as a cheat. Such facts as these
given by Secretary Adams, whose inter-
est it Is to report as favorably as pos
sible concerning the cause of education
in the State OF Vermont, should make
the State blush with heartfelt shame,
and excite 4 reformation in that respect.
But not only is the pay of our teachers
insufficient, but our schoolhouses, as
whole, are unfit for the purpose How
many graves prematurely filled owe
their occupancy to schoolhouses uuven-
tilated, or ventilated by gaping cracks,
we cannot tell; but doubtless the num-
Der would exceed our widest calcula-
ton Is it not then for the interest OF
every man, who has children that he
loves, to use his influence for the cree
ton of neat, comfortable and elegant
schoolhouses
The exercises Friday morning were
opened by reading Of the Scriptures, and
explaining why all our common schools
should be opened in the same manner.
After a short and expressive prayer by
the Rev Mr.. Baker OF Cornwall, Sec
rotary Adams proceeded by telling what
the Institute is, and more emphatically
what it ought to be. He explained that
it was not So much the fault Of. our
teachers, that the schools Of Verm0ntdo
not occupy a higher position, as it is OF
the people themselves who are unwit-
tingly working against their own high
est interests and therefore the Institute
has had, and still has, for one Of its
principal objects, the awakening 0! the
people on this subject.
The proper mode Of teaching Arith-
metic and Grammar was ably discussed
during the forenoon and afternoon. by
the Secretary. Those who heard him
can form Just appreciation Of the val
lie Of his suggestions to the teacher.
In the afternoon he was followed by a
few terse and well directed remarks, by
Supts. Baker Of Cornwall, Smith OF
Middlebury and Hurlburt Of New Ha.
ven the last of whom extended a hear
ty welcome to all attendants from
abroad,
[ wish particularly to notice the lee
ture Friday evening, upon the subject Of
Geography. never before realized that
such interest could be awakened in the
minds Of the young, As there doubtless
can be in pursuing the method marked
out by Secretary Adams, He explained
the causes Of The tides, ami currents OF
air and water in q clear aud concise
manner, which ELECTED th4 admiration Of
all his hearers. !
The exercise Was concluded by repIu- |
ducing the unanswerab,c argumont in |
favor OF the existence 0. an intelligent |
and aIl-wise Creator. viz: that there j. |
a law OF perfect adaptation Of mean4 10 !
an end.
The exercises on Satu stuy were COZ
tinued in the same manner as the day
before, treating OF the same subjects,
only III manner more interesting. Sat
urday afternoon it was Impossible for
me to attend.
L cannot conclude without adverting
to the hearty welcome which we. the
ieachers Of Addison County, received at
The hands Of the people OF New Haven,
Dur scholars noticed the difference in
The length of our faces for week after
wards, occastoned by it.
Truly Yours,
z.
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