Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-10-23

which will soon appear in the Secretary's
report, We will not further al
lude to it at this time. 1t was shown that
the class of persons not qualified to pass
these examinations, as applicants, has grown
less each year, and that the proportion OF
those passing had increased tElrty-eight
per cent. in six years. 1t had been dem
onstrated, it was claimed, that higher
standard of qualification of teachers had
been attained; that the foodwood of the
teachers calling had been shut out; that
good law for increasing the efficiency OF
our schools can be enforced, and that the
State was heartily in favor of the law. aud
in sympathy with those Superintendent
who honestly and impartially enforced it.
The Norm4l Schools were represented
as presenting an improved condition. The
whole number of students was given at
81, of which 303 were graduates, and
l57 taught last year. y great need of
didactic teachers is felt in these schools.
said the secretary. The Burlington
schools had teachers from all of the Nor
NAL Schools. The scholarship Is good,
but the method Objectionable.
The most important feature OF this ad-
dress was its advocacy Of the town
system" as it is called, as provided for in
the law of 1870. The present law was
deemed defective, and should be amended
so as to allow towns that have adopted
the town system, to vote again, reverse
their decision every five years if they saw
TT to do so, and leaving towns to determ-
-, ~ M,-,b tho
Der Of primary schools for the year en-
suing, or for FIVE years. That the speaker
was fully convinced of the superiority Of
the town system over the present district
system, there could be no doubt from his
arguments. 1t would dispense with l, 100
school officers, TO begin with. Toe sta
tistics presented showed 90 districts with
out schools, twenty six by vote OF the
districts, and l0T registers not returned.
There had been 246 terms with an aver
age Of only FIVE pupils, l,O04 with ten
1929 with fifteen, 1872 with tweaty. The
Secretary well argued that while the ex-
pense was Increased by 80 many small
schools, the ratio of usefulness was dI.
minished. One instance was given where
an entire term was devoted BY teacher
to one pupil only, little girl niLe years
Of age. ItrequIred no argument TO prove
the disadvantage OF too small schools, or
the benefits to be derived both 10 towns
and scholars in consolidation, so far as Is
practicable 1t is evident, and we quote
the opinion of the Secretary, that the
reluctance which has been manifested IL
adopting the town system, has arisen from
the want of thorough knowledge OF It.
With one or two important amendments
II was thought the law would become
more popular, and the system be general
adopted 1t was evident, from the re
marks Of the speaker, that the presen,
town supervision is but impertectly per
formed, and that the source OF statistical
information Is TO a great de T e incomplete,
and falls far short of compliance with the
law. Town aud district clerks, as well as
Superintendents, often neglect tn eir duty
and the result is that a machine which
Is only valuable when It Is rua PERFECTLY,
loses u portion OF ltS use ulnss>. aui does
not pay either for the engineering or In
brIcatlng.
The State pay of Superintendent, fixed
in times OF low prices, was regtrded a.
too low to secure the services OF compe
tent men. Some towns pay an adi.uona
sum, but the instances we're rare where
any adequate compensation had been pro
vided He recommended making Super
ntendeO.s cus,oIran OF r gisters, anu
dlvorc NJ them entirely from town erks
the Superintendent aud Seec'men TO tht
Board to distribute the public money
Disregard OF Jaw in tine distribution Wa,
one OF the present evils. 1t was declared
that the property OF the State should Cd
ucate the children OF the STATE; tha'
equal taxation should secure eqIal ad-
yantageS. and that "a State tax for the
support of schools would best compass
these ends The inequality Of the pres
ent system Of supporting schools was il
Iustrated by an exhibit OF the highest and
lowest rate FER cent. RAISED on tle grand
list by any district, in any town OF each
of the several counties which was as TO.
7 Ia