Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-04-07
The District school system.
A PAPER READ AT THE DISCUSSION AT
THE MEETING OF.THE VERMONT STATE
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, MARCH II,
1870. BY REV. r. G. WILLIAMS.

I do not propose to discuss the many
points and arguments which the Secre-
tary of the State Board has fully and CO.
gently presented in reference to the pres
ent system of school arrangement, known
as "the District System" If those "a
reasons be well founded, if they state the
true effect of the present district system,
every citizen of the State ought to appear
at Montpelier next fall and stay there till
the Legislature has not only rung the death
knell of the system, but actually per-
formed the execution thereof and buried
the remains so deep that no trump could
ever effect its resurrection. If a change
can work so many important benefits, it
would seem as if the very heart beats of
anxiety could be heard in every hamlet of
the State. l do not propose to discuss
those reasons. The Secretary has deduced
them from facts, and based them upon
wide experience and observation. Many,
if not all those results have followed in
other States, where the proposed changes
have boon mada Tt may D7 proper, per-
haps more than proper, for this Associa-
ton to give some expression, as to the
views entertained by the teachers upon
subject which has such broad Interests in
volved in it. Such expression, if unani-
NOUS, ought to have some weight with
those who have the legal action vesting in
them and may incite legislators to hasten
the good time, which we hope is soon COM
ing for the cause of education in this
State
The subject has been largely treated of
by the Secretary. His arguments and
recommendations are extensively eircu-
lated and should receive the attention
which the Importance of the subject de-
mands. He has gone over the ground
very thoroughly. In the line of his reas-
oning, there seems to be nothing left for
any one to advance.
have been looking into The subject
from another point of view, and wish to
present some of the facts aseertained from
a comparison of this State with others 1t
is said that Figures do not lie." They
can certainly tell some pretty strong
stories.
If other States, similarly situated, are
doing more and with success are making
progress thro' path equally open to US,
or meet with no greater difficulties than
exist with US, and yet are making rapid
advances, we ought to wake up to the fact
that those other States will soon outstrip
us in the race. l cannot believe that the
people of Vermont will be willing to sit
down in Indifference to a cause which
vitality affects the future of the individual
| inhabitants and the future of the general
prosperity and welfare of the State. No
State, no country, can prosper and keep
its position by the side of others, that
does not train up it's citizens to an equal
standard. A single generation will show
progress or retrogradation, when brought
into such close comparison and contrast
as neighboring and sister States. Natural
advantages alone cannot make State
prosperous. Present wealth alone cannot
secure its permanent power. In the in
telligence of the people alone can any
State find any element of stability in the
good, or progress to the greater. And only
by keeping well abreast of States that are
advancing can any State prevent the sure
the background. l do not wish to draw
the picture of one of our New England
States by her Indifference to this most
vital matter-the general and increasing
intelligence of her citizens, falling behind
her sister States, with dwindling popu.
lation, farms returning to original wild
ness, towns growing less populous, people
more rude, grass growing in once busy
streets.-I refrain from sketching-bu'
the subject will be furnished for such pic
ture by some of these very New England
States, unless there be speedy waking il
this matter of education.
i Education must be offered and given IL
eceq,y ialaa5itant, and this education mus
be of higher and better character, con
tinually improving as means for higher
are or may be continually afforded. 1
found and used by other States they mus
be found and used by every one, or that
one will surely fall behind.
i I will not pursue this train of though
farther, tho there are important subiect
in this immediate connection.
There are several kinds of facts from
which I propose to derive instruction, ant
i which may be of benefit for Vermonter
to consider.
i 1t may be thought that the area of tn
State requires so many districts to rendel