Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-26

wished to know how the districts were to
be consolidated in the smaller towns, and
the distsnce of the scholars from the
schools by this means increased, and yet
the attendance kept up to the standard it
now holds with the district system. In
the town Of New Haven, for instance,
which is eight miles in length, and with
thirteen or fourteen school districts, he
wished to know if the number of schools
could be reduced, and still the distance
not be increased to such degree as to
cause falling off in the attendance. He
wanted the best plan, and inclined to favor
the town plan, but could not quite I'M
derstand how it was to accomplish the
work, and not lower the number in at
tendance.
Mr.. Cilley replied that the difficulty of
distance could be overcome by adopting
the same plan as is employed by the farm
ers in taking their milk to the cheese fac
tories. A team could be sent around to
collect the scholars, the trouble to be borne
mutually by those interested. Of course,
the schools would be fewer, and the dis
lance greater; but by adopting the plan
he suggested the difficulty could be OBJ.
waited.
Mr.. Dana remarked that if better
class of teachers were employed, the par
ents would be ready to send their children
further. Would not the adoption of the
town system give higher class of teach
ers, and far more profit from the schools ?
The true object of education would be
furthered in the better development of
the mind.
Mr.. Williams of Castleten, said that in
the town of New Haven, under the town
plan, the children would have to go
only about a mile. This was compare
lively a short distance. A child that
could go mile, could about as well go a
mile and half. In the town of Castle
ton, the children that go three miles are
the most punctual. 1t was the right and
duty of the State to provide for the edu-
cation of all the children. There is need
of a higher grade of schools, and higher
standard of mental development. We
need system of school training that de-
velopes the mind for its own sake and not
for its uses.
Mr.. Sylvester Dowd of New Haven, re-
marked that if the control of the schools
was taken out of the hands of the districts
and centered in the hands of few men,
the parents would lose their interest in
them, and public sentiment would fail to
support them. What was needed to i'm
prove our present district system was to
arouse greater interest in them among the
public at large. But he thought by con-
solidating the districts under the town
plan, this interest would be diminished.
The President stated in reply to Mr..
Dowd, that it was expected that the i'm
proved character of all the schools under
the town plan would attract greater in
terest to them on the part of parents.
Mr.. Kelley of Rutland, said that he
had found in his experience with schools
that persons of ample means would not
aid in the support of schools, and would
allow the school houses to be neglected.
The town plan would do away with this.
Mr. Allen of Vergennes, said that he
regarded the course of instruction in our
schools as fragmentary and incomplete.
This nam from, an pIovinoo 1or- ouoJo II
teachers, and from frequent changes in
them.
The adoption of the town system would
obviate this difficulty, by securing bet
ter qualified and more permanent class of
teachers, and by this means a more thor
ough system of school culture would be
secured. The adoption of the town plan
would give advantages more than COM
pensating fer all losses it would occasion.
At Vergennes some children come two
miles to school. He had known children
to come four miles by clubbing together
and procuring conveyance. Our schools
had declined in attendance from what
they were in past years. He thought the
true remedy for this was to be found in
the town plan.
The time allotted for the discussion
having expired, it was brought to close,
although much interest had been created
in the controversy, and there was a gen.
eral desire for continuing the debate.
After music from the choir, Rev. R. S.
Williams, Principal of the State Normal
School at Castleton, addressed the conyen-
ton.
ADDRESS OF MR.. WILLIAMS.
l trust the audience will allow me in
my few remarks to talk to teachers par.
ticularly. 1 hope that practical teach
er will be allowed to address practical
teachers. | believe there is no profession |
or business in which there is not a profit
in mutual meetings for conference and
of thought. 1 believe there
is benefit in these teachers associations. |
[ would invite your attention to a few
practical suggestions, the result of years
of experience in the profession of teaching. |
Acquire the habit of clear and distinct |
statement of truths. Form the habit that
when sentence is uttered, it shall ex-
press the exact truth which it is intended |
to express. In the management of classes,
short but distinct steps should be taken
in the advancement in study, and nothing
should be passed over in a superficial
manner. If you say this will require time |
and labor, l am aware of that. But il you
say it interposes difficulties and impede
ments, will not allow it. This plan
would give aid just where aid was needed.
This plan would prevent a confused ar
rangement of topics which is such him
drance to all progress. BY this plan the
pupil can be sure that he is making ad-
He will see the mile-stones
as he passes along the different stages of
his progress.
Again, let me urge you to learn what
are, and make yourselves acquainted
with. the important questions of the day.
Nat he ,,aro .,oas,n sc xIa II