Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-03-19
Local and state Items.

The PUBLIC SCHooLs.-During the
absence of the Editor from his post, on
account of illness, criticism upon our
public schools appeared in Saturdays
HERALD. without consideration. which
was unjust as well as ungenerous. The
tone of the artie does not manifest the
spirit of true and honest criticism, but
indicates scctarian expression of opin-
ion. Thus much in explanation of its
appearance and the reasons why it should
not have been written, much less pub
lished
The writer evidently has COMPOUNDED
the primary and high schools together in
his examination, and did not stop tt, make
the difference between the two, making
At one sweep all our public schools charge
able with the DEFICIENCIES Of "onc" or more
Young pupils, in the primary department.
That spelling is sadly neglected branch
in our public schools is freely admitted,
but that our graded schools are to be con-
dcmucd because Of the failure to meet the
expectation Of the visitor ON the part of
some of the pupils, is unjust to say the
least, and we have full reason TO believe
that The Rutland schools are far superior
in tins respect to large majority OF those
in this or any other State. That bad
reading may be found in al our schools is
quite possible, ana that. knowledge of
geography may not be impaired in an in
telligent manner BY teachers, is very
common fault. The stranger recommends
text book which nc says is the best ever
published, and perhaps he is unaware that
the text books are Nleeted in Vermont by
the Board OF Education, and are binding
upon our schools for five years, and among
the lists for high schools is "Guyot's Ge-
ographieS' which are used in the schools
he criticiscs. If the writer Of the article
VIII 60 with DR.. Aiken, the President, or
any member of the Board of Education,
and make q thorough examination OF ali
the departments Of Rutland graded
schools, we question very mach whether
he, in his experience as a member of a
Board of Education" has found any
very far superior III Vermont or New
York even. We have given these points
more attention, perhaps, than was neces-
sary, but feel that injustice was done
to the schools and teachers. We.shall at
all times be ready to sustain inst criti-
Uis111 II ettf-AeAnalS- school system,
but never a garrlllous one.
The most surprising criticism Of the
whole is chat Calvinistic doctrines were
made prominent in the prayer Of the
teacher" Surely this is a grave offense
in State where the constitution guaran-
tees to every citizen the freest expression
of religious opinions This charge seems
to us to come from sectarian spirit, UNI
known TO communities like ours, and q
dictation of form and spirit in which
prayer shall be couched when offered be.
fore the pupils of our public schools, and
SiIldIhS hblltN iAstb VI biEptiy We pre-
sumo, although we have no personal
knowledge, that the only ''Calvinistic
doctrine made prominent was rocogni
ton of the Trinity which most surely
is, grave offense, and should not be toler
ated longer. If the recognition of tn,
Godhead, as taught by all evangelical de
nominations is a dangerous doctrine IL
the public schools of Vermont at this late
day, let our local Board of Education BE-
at once called together and form O
STANDARD prayer for use in the common
schools of Rutland" be adopted, and le
the Governor recommend to the Stat,
Board of Education, the compilation of q
book of prayer flor use in all the school.
of the commonwealth" for they are nov
certainly in great danger of being con
taminated by false doctrines