Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-05-05
The Brandon School Meeting,
BRANDON, April ~, 1870.

quo DNttof " Gto I1ee 1858 U LtHteo.
My attention has just been called to an
article that appeared in your paper last
week, so-oalled report of the sayings
and doings at an adjourned school meet
ing, held in Brandon a few weeks since
/ was not little surprised to learn that
any one came from that meeting with
such puerile understanding of the bust
ness of the meeting, and superficial
acquaintance with Youman's Couture
demanded by Modern Life" as the report
attests. OF course I exonerate the
reporter from any motive of inten-
tional misrepresentation, having the
charity to think it was an error
of the head rather than of the heart
At the first meeting 1 remarked that l
failed to understand how it could be pos
sible to instruct children in chemistry, as
our published curriculum proposed, with
out the aid of retorts, crucibles, chemicals,
&c. That l was fearful the attempt
would amount to little more than parrot
teaching; that what was wanted, was more
of thinking about things, and fewer me-
chanical Rotations. A short debate fol-
lowed, which led to the adjourned meet
ing--a so-called report of which purpose
briefly to notice. Instead of. as reported {:
English grammar should be utterly done
away WITH" etc., / said it seemed proper,
-, Df rfaip fapfo that En,rliSh
grammar should not be taught in
class Systematically, before the age of TO-,
as was the practice at Burlington, as I
had been informed by the School Superin-
tendent--and that, as rule, it would be
wise to defer it till even later period
as children under twelve, with few excep-
tions, failed to comprehend the rules OF
grammar; these early years to be occu-
pied in giving instruction in etymology,
photography and composition, devoting
the time usually given to analysis OF
grammar to natural history and the sci.
enees. Not alone for the great benefit tc
be derived in after years from the. acquisi-
ton of much usefnl knowledge, such az
the study of natural history and the sci
ences offers to all classes. especially to
those whs follow farming, and are, as a
general practice, taken early from oar
schools consequently, if ever it must be
at an early age that n foundation Is laid
for the subsequent intelligent pursuit OF
these studies, so inseparaely connected
with their life work but more especially
for he training which the study of these
branches furnishes to the faculties of per-
ception, observation, attention and ref1ec-
ton.
choose to follow the subject no fur
ther, declaring such course a work OF
supererogation, inasmuch as all those who
have given this question due examination
and reflection understand it quite as we'll
if not better, than [ do; and those who
have not had their attention called espe-
cially to it, would get but a precious little
of the great amount that can be said in
support of the position were I to occupy
page of your paper. You will do me q
kindness by inserting this explanation in
your paper, for no other reason than that
desire of my own, if 1 must be reported
to be correctly reported, may be satisfied
A. T. WOODWARD.
CONSOLIDATION OF THE BENNINGTON
AND RUTLAND AND LEBANON SPRINGS
RAILROAD COMPANIES of con-
solidation of the Bennington and Rutland
and Lebanon Springs Railroad Companies
were fled in the office of the Secretary OF
State on the 23d of April. The consoli.
dation is perfected under special act OF
the Vermont Legislature, aud the act OF
New York passed May Goth, 1869. The
name of the new corporation Is the Har'
lem Extension Railroad Company. The
| following are the Directors named: Cor
nelius Vanderbilt, Augustus Schell, Hor-
ace T. Clark, VIM. H. Vanderbilt, VIM
Turnbull, Robert J. Niven, Samuel j.
Tilden, VIM B. Duncan, a. A. Selover,
| Oliver Charock, all of New York; Z. ]
| Phelps, Burlington, II. II. Baxter, Rut-
| land, and Moses Y. Tilden, New Lebanon
The officers of the road are Augustus
Schell, President; R. J. Niven, Vice
President; Russell G. Root, Secretary
Cornelius Vanderbilt, jr,, Treasurer. The
road extends from Chatham Four Corners,
N. Y, to Rutland, VT. The capital stock
is fixed at 100000. Half of the shares
are to be issued to the stockholders of the
Bennington and half to the stockholders
of the Lebanon Springs road, and shall be
exchanged for the stock of the respective
roads.