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

training, and fine appreciation of the
tender sentiment of the poem.
Mr.. Cilley of Brandon, moved that a
committee on nomination of officers of the
Association for the ensuing year be ap'
pointed, and also committee on resolu.
tions. The motion being agreed to, the
President appointed as the committee on
nominations, J. S. Cilley of Brandon, A.
J. Sanborn of Middlebury, and L. T. Ben
ton of Bristol; and on resolutions, Rev.
L. A. Austia of Manchester, Judah Dana
Of Rutland, and Rev. r. G. Williams OF
Castletcn
After an appropriate GOOD Night
from the choir, the session came to a
close.
SECOND DAY-FoRENoON SESSION.
The Association resumed its sitting at
ten o'clock Saturday morning, with an in
creased number in attendance, while the
interest manifested in the proceedings was
in no degree abated. The report of the
committee on nomination of officers being
called for, Mr.. Cilley from that committee,
reported that the committee recommend
ed the retaining of the entire board of
officers which had served the past year.
On motion, the board was unanimously
reelected for the year ensuing. The board
| oousists as fouows7
President.-Henry Clark, Rutland.
Vice-P Presidents. - Judah Dana, Rut-
land; Miss Ellen Fields, Brandon; Mrs.
E. G.. Leavenworth, New Haven.
Recording Secretary.-Lewis A. Austin,
Manchester.
Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer
j. S. Cilley, Brandon.
The Secretary, being obliged to leave
town, Mr.. Cilley was chosen Secretary
pro. tenn !; but declining, Mr.. Dana was
elected and acted in that position.
The President announced that the ques-
ton for discussion was "The Town os.
District School SYSTEM" and stated that
DR.. Case of Brandon, who had been ex-
pected to open the discussion was de-
tanned on account of illness. In a few
remarks he then explained the purpose of
the Legislature at the last session, in en-
acting a law by which towns are per-
mitted to consolidate the school districts
in their limits and place them under a
central board of managers. 1t was
thought that this plan would secure
better school advantages in those towns
of sparse population, where schools are
sustained in some districts only during a
portion of the year. 1t was designed
to aid in carrying out the purpose of the
law of the State, which guarantees to
every person Of proper age common school
advantages. BY this plan Of consolida-
ton it was expected that higher grade
of schools would DO secured, as better
teachers would be employed. He re-
ferred to the Graded School of Rutland
as an example of the successful and eff
fcient working of this plan.
In conclusion he called upon Mr..
Cilley to take up the discussion. Mr..
Cilley, after expressing his regret at the
absence of Dr. Case, who was SO we'll pre-
pared to present the subject, stated that
his experience in the schools of Brandon
had convinced him that there would be
a great advantage in adopting the plan of
consolidating the schools. In some dis
tricts under his observation the schools
were made up of two or three scholars,
and in others the school houses were en-
tirely vacant the present winter. By
adopting the town plan, this state of
things would be obviated, and at the same
time better class of teachers would be
secured, and the school rooms kept in
better order, and their general efficiency
promoted.
Prof. Ssnborn of Middlebury, being
called upon, stated that his experience
with the district schools had convinced
himth at the town plan was far pref
cradle to the present system. 10 some
sections of the State the school houses are
so dilapidated that it is mockery of the
had the management of our schools in
the hands of a board Of town trustees this
state of things would not exist, but their
interests would be looked after. The
standard of education is lowered by these
badly conducted schools. The policy of
Massachusetts, in placing her schools un-
der the management of the town had
made them SO much superior to those OF
Vermont. Ifs Vermont expects to keep
pace with her sister States she must
adopt the same plan. Among the evils
resulting from these small schools is the
employment of very young teachers.
The responsible duties of training and
moulding the susceptible minds of the
young was thus neglected. This system
is all wrong. II we had better class of |
schools, our boys would be saved from a
vicious and immoral life. He hoped the |
day would soon come when the town
system would be adopted.