The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-11-29

of education.
At the risk Of seeming presumptuous in
volunteering our ADVICE at the risk of firing
the patience Of our readers-although we
win be as brief as possible but with mind
single for the public good, there are two or
three considerations, TO which we desire to
direct the attention of our fellow citizens,
and which we trust will be duly and
thoughtfully weighed before taking final
action this evening. Our public schools
have been, and are STILL the glory of Yer
mont. Even amid the dangers, turmoil and
bloodshed of 1777, our fathers did not for
get the necessity of free, public schools;
but when their wives and children were cx-
posed to the ravagcs of Burgoyne's blood
thirsty and plundering hordes of Britans,
Hessians and Indians, and themselves anx-
ious to hasten to the defense of their i'm
perillcd homes families and country, they
remained long enough in council to ordain
and declare. rs part of our first constitu-
ton, that "a school or schools shall be es-
tabished in each town, by the legislature, |
"with such salaries to the matters, paid by |
teach town." etc This provision remains,
substantially, in force to-day, although its
phraseology has been somewhat changed
The legislature has provided for schools in
each town, but for convenience, dividing
the towns into districts. Commencing with
the history of the state, from the adoption
of the first constitution, in 1777, down to
the present day. how many instances can
be found in which free public school has
not been established" kept open, and
taught in every school district in the
state, during each and every winter? We
doubt if such an instance can be f0und-it
so, it was for some exceptional reason In
Rutland, free public school, during the
winter months, has been as sure and as reg
ular as the return of the seed time and har-
vest. Rutland has always been the lead
Ing, wealthicst and most prominent town
| in the state. We have been foremost i'll
every good work. We have been held up
as an example for the excellence of our
/
pride and rejoicing to us and the state. As
Il matter of duty, can the village of Rut-
land. alone of all the school districts in the
state, give up her schools? AS IA matter of
pride, if we may appeal to pride, can we
depart from the uniform practice of nearly
century and, for the first time, close our
school houses during the winter months {?
How shall we answer to our children for
such a course? We do not think that all
of the expenditures of the 'school board
have been judicious, but shall our children
suffer for their action? Can we afford to
allow our youth to be debarred from all the
privileges of education1 for four long
months, because we.do not approve of the
acts of the trustees, or because, in our
judgment, Il portion of the school money
has been unwisely used?
We know that it is an inauspicious time
to impose new and additional burdens
upon the people. Taxation should, at all
times, but more especially now, be rem.
dered as light as possible, and the money
, thereby raised should be expended will
the most rigid but at the same time, wisC
economy. We are told, moreover, that, il
4 authority is given, the necessary funds, fo
I another year. If So, it may afford temper
airy relief We are opposed upon genera
9 principles to national, state, town, village
or school district Indebtedness Debt is
very slough Of dcspond. 1t is that which
: made Judas betray his Divine Master, thai
, made Benedict Arnold traitor, and JOIN
} w. Webster and a host of others murder
ers. Its effects are almost as dire on com
munities as on individuals, and should be
: avoided when possible, If consistent witt
1 honor and duty. Sometimes, however
: the contraction Of a debt is an absolute ne
ccssity. The Union could never have beer
preserved without it. So, with the presen
l state Of the country, the depression OF
business and the stringency of the money
market, we think Of the aternatives-clos
ing the schools or temporary debt-w,
: should prefer the latter. 1t is, to be sure
: hut putting off the evil day, but the finan
, cial situation cannot long remain as now
In connection with this consideration, there
, is another closely bearing upon it, If We
remember the statutes correctly, the distribu
ton of the larger proportion of the schoo
fund-that arising from the state schoo
tax, and that from the interest son tn,
United States deposit money-depend.
upon the fact whether our schools art
maintained through the winter or not. In
other words, if the schools of the village OF
Rutland are closed for two, three, or fouI
months, proporlionate amount of the
school fund will be withheld from the
funds for the support Of our schools. We
shall lose 50 much money, and allow the
same to be divide among the other dis.
trlcts Of the town. Our loss will be their
gain, while our taxes assist in paying it.
II seems 10 us that every consideration
those Of duty, Of patriotism, of love of
our children, regard for their welfare.
pride, self interest, etc-al unite in urging
upon us to devise, this evening, some meth
cd by which our schools may be continued
this winter as always heretofore.
TEHE MILLS MAY GRIND SLOWLY.
The mills of the gods may grind slowly
hut they do grind pycpndinulv finn rpho