The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-12-31

calling for ceDsure,or such as would even
subject them to criticism. But on the
other hand il appeared that the Board
had discharged their duties with fidelity,
and as we think in every instance wisely
and well.
At the close Of the examination on the
Goth, it appeared to portion Of the CON-
mittee that no more time should be con-
sumed in the investigation. ipasmuch as
thus far the Board and its Secretary had
been fully sustained, and especially as af-
ter notice no one had appeared to accuse
them, But as it had become known to
the committee that some few teachers in
the State differed in their opinion from
the Board to somo extent in the recent
adoption of text books, also, that it had
been rumored that some of those teachers
did not approve Of the manner Of con-
Quoting Teachers Institutes by the Sec.
retary Of the Board, it was on the whole
thought best to summon those teachers
and some others to appear before the con-
mittee on the evening of the 25th inst.
This was done, the second meeting was
held, and the teachers so summoned were
present.
1t appeared at the first meeting of the
committee that at meeting Of the Board
of Education held at Middlebury, june
IS, 1872, (al the members Of toe Board
being present), the Board made selec-
tion of text books and au horized them
for use in the district schools Of this
State for five years from Nov. l, 1873.
In this selection the Board made change
in portion Of the text books hitherto
and now in use among which was a
change in Readers and in Arithmetics
The teachers who appeared before us on
the 10Th inst. all seemed to concur that
a change of Readers is necessary, but q
portion were of the opinion that the An
alytical Series was preferable to the New
American Series which was selected by
the Board. The Arithmetics selected BY
the Board were Frenchs Series, and ono
or two of the said teachers insisted be-
fore the committee that no change in
Arithmetics is necessary. Mr.. Dana, Of
Rutland, while he did not compare the
merits of Frenchs Arithmetic with
Greennleaf's the one now in use, claimed
that in teeching Arithmetic principles are
to be taught, and that one Arithmetic, if
a good one, is as good as another, and
therefore no change is needed
That part of the investigation which
occurred on the evening of the 25th elic.
tied simply this That few of the prom
inent teachers in the State differed in
their judgmcn. in regard to the change
made by the Board of Education in
small part Of the text books selected by
the Board on the 18th of June last but
from the facts which appeared before the
committee we must find that such selec.
tions ~rlr made by the Board after
spen nIur much time in careful examin-
alton OF L large variety of text books
from different authors taking the
opinion of the prominent teachers OF the
State, and we believe were made solely
with view to promote the best interests
of education in the State.
In making the selections of text books
it appeared that the Board had taken the
most scrupulous care to protect the State
from unnec cessary expense, and had care
fully considered every detail affecting
the question of the cost of School Books,
and had secured the State from loss and
and imposition, by making the best con-
tracts with the publishers of books, by
which they will furnish the schools of the
State at the lowest terms obt1inable, and
will be exchanged for old books upon the
most favarable terms obtainable, and will
be exchanged for old books upon the most
favorable terms, provided the parties in
terested will take the pains to avail them
selves of the contract.
1t also appeared that the new list Of
text books is upon the whole cheaper
than those now in use. The Board h
also arranged for creditable additions to
the books to make them specially adapt.
eed to Vermont Schools, and this without
additional expense to the State.
From the information we have, your
committee approve of the selection of
text books made by the Board.
1t did appear before the committee
that there had been some dissatisfaction
with the appointment Of Dr. French as
Secretary of the Board, and it also ap-
peared that rumors had been ahoat to
some extent which went to charge him
with neglect of duty at Teachers Ins,i-
tutes, as discourteous to teachers and 9TH
ers and as making money by bargains
with book publishers. and toisting his own
series of Arithmetics upon the Board
, But the committee were unable to trace
these rumors to any responsible source ;
, and during the whole investigation in
, which the action Of the Secretary was
critically and thoroughly inquired into,
no evidence was drawn out which had
the least tendency to sustain any such
charge or accusation. 1t is our opinion
, that DR.. French is competent for the po-
, stion he holds, and that he has thus far
( honestly, ably and faithfully discharged
the duties of his Office.
The result of our investigation as a
committee, then. is this We find 20
cause of complaint against the State
, Board of Education or any one Of its
members or the Secretary of the Board
10 any manner whatever to their official
! duties, and ask to be discharged from a
, further consideration Of the matters re-
ferred to US under said joint resolution,
All which is respectfully submitted.
l.. HOWARD KELLOGG.
, Fl. HENRY POWERS, SenateCom.
j. WARREN BARNES,
BARNES BRIsBIE,
f GEO. l.. WATERMAN,
D j. ORvILLE WYMAN, HouseCom
| CHARLES CARPENTER,
2 EDGAR A. BEACH,
Every Saturday.
A JOURNAL OF CHOICE READING.