Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-11-01
Yours,
Addre,s Of the Secretary Of The Board Of
Education.
MONTPELIER, Oct, 25, 1867.

| EdlcdfiON.
MONTPELIER, Oct, 25, 1867.
DearFree Press.
In response to an invitation rendered
some days since, Secretary Adams addressed
the General Assembly at Representatives
Hall last evening.
SECRETARY ADAMS ADDRESS.
lie began by alludlng to the apathy and
indifference which prevailed throughout
Vermont in all educational matters for the
years Immediately preceding 1856, and
then rapidly sketched the progress which
had been made in tie last eleven years, and
the men and the agencies through which 1t
had been effected. A Board Of Education
bad been created. system Of Teachers In
stitute established, a uniform series Of
text books selected and put in use, the en-
tire body OF school law remodeled and sys-
tematized, statistics gathered, discussions
held and interest awakened in all parts Of
the State, new ami better school houses
erected, graded schools set 10 operation, and
new life aud efficiency infused into the
whole apparatus Of Public Instruction.
In this connection, the Secretary paid a
high tribute to the wise and sagacious plans
OF Mcssrs. Pease, Bradley, Redfeld and
other early members of the Board To
then he believed to be due large measure
Of the success attained. He adverted to the
unity of aim and effort which bad charac-
teriEed the Board for the first ten years, as
not only grateful to himself, but conducive
IN the highest degree to the prosperity of
the Educational interests of the State.
The Secretary expressed his faith in the
system Of normal schools which had been
introduced during the past year, and re-
commended that the State furnish aid to
them directly or indirectly. lie was grati-
fed with the results already secured. though
these schools were as yet hardly under way.
lie praised the working OF the law OF 1866
authorizing the examination of Teachers at
the Institutes, and said that though he was
at first apprehensive Of its practical work
ing, be now considered it to be the most
valuable and efficient school act passed with
in the last twenty-five wears. He protested
against any moment looking to its repeal,
believing that it would work a rapid and
decided Improvement in the qualifications of
school teachers.
He then presented certain amendments
which be desired to see made in the school
laws, advocating an enlargement OF the
course of study the empowering Of towns
to consolidate their school districts, giving
each district credit for whateyer school pro-
perty it may possess a greater degree Of
permanency in the Prudential Committee,
by making it to consist Of three men, each
elected for three years: an increase Of com
pensation to the Secretary of the Bard
and modification by the Legislature of
the list Of Textbooks now recon mend
ed by tho Board for use after November
1865. lie referred to criticism of his re-
port which hal appeared the day before in
one of The leading journals of the State,
and explained the grounds On which be
had determined to embrace in his report the
matters which had drawn on him the con-
demnation of that paper.
In conclusion be alluded leelIngly to the
confidence reposed in him by the people of
the State, the uniform courtesy and kindness
with which for eleven years he had been
everywhere received, and the regrets with
which he was about to leave his native State,
In whose service he had spent the best years
Of bis life. He was laying down the work
poorer in purse than when he took it up,
and with shattered health, compelling him
to emigrate to a more genial cline.
The address was listened to by a good
audience, ip spite of the counter attractions
of the "theatre," and Is spoken of IN terms
Of high commendation. Our brief repor.
necessarily omits many Of the points touched
upon in an address of an hour and three
quarters in length.
At the conclusion resolution was passed
unanimously rendering the thanks of the
Assembly for the able and acceptable address
Of the Secretary, and expressing their conf
dence in his ability and integrity.
THE RESOLUTION, adopted at the close of
Secretary Adams address in Representa-
tlves Hall on Thursday evening, was as fol-