Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-11-19

10. The Town System would tend to the
formation Of Graded Schools. One hou'e
with two or three teachers wouid 'aAe ~
place. not seldom. of three houses, each WIN
its teacher and separate expenses. we nave
divided and subdivided too much III 'H's
State for the highest efficiency of our School
system - witness the colleges, norman
.cbools academies-thrice as many OF each
os We need and the common schools have
suffered from the same mistaken policy.
IL. 1t would prevent the exercise OF the
one-man power. At present, perhaps no
officer in the State has such absolute author
itv A. the Prudential Committee. lie can
.e, himself against the Superintendent, ana
AGAINST the united district, if be chooses.
1t is in biz power to do deal Of mischief ;
but we have now no time to cite cases by
way of illustration.
10. 1t is more consonant with our system
Of government. In this the Tc@n l. the
/ true Unit; not the district.
In Massachusetts the District System IL
abolished. It took dozen years to get rid
of it. but it was swept away at last by an
almos, unanimous vote Of the Legislature
If may be worth while to read what Hon.
Jo.eph White, the Secretary Of the Mass
s.bnsetts Board of Education, said OF the
now defrnct system " Every days obserya-
ZION riyes strength to my convictions OF lt'
utter ineornpatibility with any high degree
If success in the management OF school at
fairs. Indeed have ceased to look Tor iur-
tber procress where Is influence Is unbroken
Defiant and frJwnins. it stands square IN the
ra,h II cannot be avoided flank move
ment will not Turn it, and there IS no room
for compromise. Then, and then only. vii
further advance be p ssIb!e, when the people
of the Commonwealth, in the exercise o
that uower which is their right, and Of tina
wisdom which an unfortunate experience ha
oivep. shall remove the obstruction from TIT
way"
Connecticut is at present IN state o
=. betweenity." Authority is given to th'
several towns to change their school system
if thew will. and many have acted wisely il
ayailing themselves of the permission. Say
the accomplished Secretary Of the Conn
Board Of Education, the Rev. B. G. North
rup. in his Report for the current year: "
do not know Of town in this State, OF an
other. where there has not been general sat
islaction with the system after it was iairl
in oreration. recall no case of the retur
of any Of our towns to the district systeI
after acting town-wise for two years.
T Speaking Of a town which had adopted tn
town system after long discussion and earne;
onposjtion. he SAYS - The results have a
ready converted opponents to friends. In
recent visit TO that town, found not unal
imity only, but enthusiasm IN support Of Il
new system. The schools are remarkab
improved in attendance, interest, gradatid
and good order Instead OF being the sour'
Of contention as formerly, they are now d
f seryedly the pride Of the place. Let any doub
! or visit these schools and hear the expression
, of interest on the rart of parents, and esp
cially of the Irish. as have DONE and
! aill see clear proof Of the benefits of II
I union of schools
= The system that Is best for Massaehrset
and Connecticut lie best for Vermont. II
Green Mountain State may well heed the e
ample of her neighbors. The evils Of tt
district system are the same in all parts
e New England ; and the same benefits may
i expected to accrue here, as elsewhere, fro
the adoption Of better organization.
f Perhaps it IL proper to add, that all
Y have said upon this subject, has been sa
e in total ignorance Of the special arsumen
4 and recommendations Of the State Board al
y their Secretary in their respective Reports.