Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-03-16

and also represents the snroWuuesS VI
young America" 1t appears that three
boys, whose names we will not stop to
give. were engaged in picking up old iron
to sell. These boys happened to go to
Mr.. Rs where he was boiling sap.
There being an old potash kettle near by,
one of the boys remarked that he thought
it would be valuable addition to their
stock if it conld be got, whereupon the
boys looked it over, and endeavored to
move it around, but the united efforts OF
the three were unable to move it. Mr..
R noticing these movements, and
what had been said, and fond of giving a
joke as we'll as receiving one, and think
ing it would be impossible for them to
move the kettle away offered to give it to
them if they would gather the sap for
that day. The boys after consulting up
on the matter decided to accept this Offer
aud commenced their labor. Mr.. R.
having some business away, left the boys
boys at work, who in short time per
formed their contract. The question then
was, how to get the kettle away? They
decided upon breaking it in pieces, which
they performed, after awhile carrying il
away. and with which they purchased
each of them a jack knife, and some other
things. Mr.. R on his return saw the
kettle was gone and spent several hours
in searching for it, when after awhile be
learned the facts as above related. Mr.
R admits this to be quite ''sell" and
that young America" was a little toe
shrewd for him that time, and intends tc
look out what bargains he makes in the
future.
The Superintendent of Schools, M. w
Dougan, in his report to the town, at the
annual meeting, says
"While our schools are far from attain
ing that standard which is desirable in
order that we receive the most benefit
from them, and must for some time re-
main so, still careful observation will
show many signs of improvement, and
much that is encouraging.
Many of them the past year have been
eminently successful, and the comparative
failures have been few.
Teachers have seemed to understand
more fully the Importance of doing their
work in thorough manner, and, on the
whole, have been been better sustained by
parents in carrying out wholesome regu-
lations, which are so essential to good
school.
Perhaps one of the greatest defects has
been a want of proper discipline. This
undoubtedly in many instances is the re.
suit of several causes, prominent among
which is believed, in some cases, to be a
lack of parental discipline, and lethargy
on the part of the parents.
No other evil presents an aspect so for
midable, especially to the young teacher,
or does so much to destroy the efficiency
of a school. 1t often happens that teach.
ers are in fault. Many persons who are
otherwise well qualified are not competent
to govern,-have not the faculty of MAX
ing school believe what they say.
Such persons, however we'll qualified,
never make successful teachars, and
should never attempt it, after having
shown themselves wanting in either abil-
ty to teach or govern.
Blu. teachers are not entirely re-pousi-
IL sc
rental discipline, many times, has much
to do with characterization in schools ; and
it is believed that some of our schools have
been injured in this way. The child that
is disobedient and self-willed at home, is
invariably just the same in the school
room and if the successful teacher sue
ceeds in making him understand that
school is place of order, it often hap
pens that he does so much to the displeas-
ure of the child and more to the dissatis-
faction of the parents. As soon as chill
dren disregard good regulations in school,
and are fortified in their position by the
approval of their parents, it is well nigh
impossible for any teacher to make the
school of much benefit.
To withdraw a child as soon as correct
ed, only tends to break down order, as he
is thus led to understand that he can
leave school at any time, by simply hav-
ing a quarrel with the teacher. Our best
and most efficient schools can be ruined
in this way at any time.
A thorough knowledge of the business,
and capacity to teach aud govern, are
no less requisite in the teacher than is
proper support on the part of the parents.
They must go together, if We would make
our schools what they should be.
We still have positive lack of well
trained first class teachers. In view of
this, and the existing school law, it be-
comes our interest to encourage teachers
to give themselves better preparation
for the duties of their calling, or we
shall soon have very few teachers of our
own. Let public sentiment once demand
a better qualification and we shall have it,
and not till then.
Many of the school registers returned
last year were so inaccurately filled out
that anything like correct statistical in.
formation was almost impossible Good
legislation in reference to our schools de-
mands that we know infinitely their con-
dition, and for this information we are
dependent entirely on the statistics fur
nished the State. 1t is to be hoped that
by calling attention to this point an inn
provement will be made, and that district
clerks will in future look we'll to this
matter, and see that the questions adj
dressed to teachers and to themselves are
all correctly answered, and you can, in this
way, render the cause of education much
service.
In conclusion, allow me to urge upon
all, but especially those having children
to educate, the Importance of taking a
lively interest in the management and
welfare of our schools, that are moulding
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