Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-09-03
The Public School.


The school meeting on Thursday evening,
drew out decided differences of opinion in re-
lation to the benefits derived from our schools
and as to what should be done in the prem
Uses. On the part of those who seemed not
satisfied with things as they are, there ap-
peared to be two subjects Of complaint thar
taxes are too large and that too great por-
tim of the money raised goes for the benefit
o. a few students who are in the highest de-
psrtments.
We have no wish to see the amount OF
money expended for public education here or
el-ewbere diminished O'e cent. II change
is made it should be in the line of increase
aud not of decrease. But at the same time
the money paid in by the public should in
turn bring before the children of the whole
community the opportunities OF an education
when the mass of them are now forbidden, by
the circumstances of the case, from sharing
in.
The salary paid the principal of our graded
school is no greater than is necessary for the
good of the school; DO greater than the
vices Of a man who is competent to take
charge OF the varied interests involved are
WORTH. There are expected from him good
teaching in his own department and judi
cious overlooking of The lower grades.
committee can do something toward the har-
mOnious working of the whole system, it is
true, hut the nam burden must fall on the
one who has daily knowledge of the condI-
ton of affairs. Tnat this IS no task to he
entrusted to a novice, t. a man who Can be-
cbeaply hired to give cheap teaching, anyone
can satisfy himself by study of some Of the
questions that have come up in the past
of any of those which will be sure to arise
in the future.
Our churches, composed of adults, demand
for their instruction men CT ability and OF
tried character, men whose lives as we'll as
words are incentives to a higher plane OF
living. Surely children whose perceptions
are keen. whose initiative powers are at their
best and whose natures are most impressible
should have no second rate models to shape
their work after. 1t is SAID that the motto of
this age is " cheap and nasty y; but il should
never be written over the entrance to our
common schools.
There is, however, just oiuse for the feel
ing that too much of the time and energy
that should go truly to the public are confined
to a limited number; are so directed that the
teaching for which we pay the most and
which therefore ought to be the best never
comes to the greater number Of students. 1t
is expected that all the children OF the village
shall enter and receive the benefit of the low
est grades in the school, and, speaking gen.
orally, this is done. IL should be expected
that all will likewise in due time receive in
struction in the highest grades, and the true
mission of the school is not accomplished ST.
long as this expectation remains unfuiflied
Taking out modera tie percentage to he sub
tracted for incapaclty to reach the higher
grates and the due amount for death, the
classes in the upp rooms should be nearly
as large as those in the lower ones.
This never can be done while Greek and
Latin are hCno-ed and their departure from
life acknowledged by a perpetual funeral
conduct at the public expense az attended
by a constantly diminishing number of mourf
ers. IL is not necessary to say that these
languages arr not desirable, that their study
has not enlarg' and rounded to full and
beautiful proportions many nature, in order
to convince men that much If not all time
devoted to them now 10 public school is a
incorporation of funds. They will never
be branches of a Common educ ttion, and it is
only on the ground of common benefit that
taxes are levied.
True enough we need the higher grads OF
a school to " pull up the lower ones, bu
1t is not pulling man up when you climt
and he stands below and stares to see you
leave him. Il is possible that sort of ben
efcIal awe falls upon the by VINO sees hi.
companion ascend into the IN ysterIes of The
Olympian heaven, but the effect is too re-
mote TO pay taxes Tor.
The more full and careful study of phys
ology, chemistry, natural philosophy and til,
like would call for more time on the part 0
teache 8 and should not only be open to but
matter o. Course to every student. Grea
stress is laid upon the rule that there shal
be no advance to higher grade before th,
lower one Is mastered. Thus Is we'll but /
needs to lie supplemented by one made strJn,
by public sentiment that no student shall
leave the school until all the grades bay
ha fell
higher grades are devoted t. such studies a
are of nature to be shared in generally "
shall hear less complaint of BIZ ID taxation, TO
all will then receive the bent fits which
purchases.
Nor do We fear that the standard of ed
ucation will be lowered, when the mind i
Its Development shall be more concerned wit
facts that are woven intimately with life an
when there shall be more attention to histor
and It's lessons than TO the study of its an
cient and discarded garb. If analytical stud
OF language Is required we have EnylisI
classics and as close and profitable stud
may be made of Shakespeare as of Homer il
the school room, with this advantage that t
the one study you may bring many md t.
the other but few. And if one thinks tb
line of thought !indulged in by those VIII
seek to know the exact Office of the Gree
accent and pursue the elusive significance q
the Greek particle is profitable one, be ca
obtain like discipline by following Gran
White in his pursuit of lis being done - an
in kindred v. rbaI hunts.
Cheaper schools are not desirable bu
courses of study which shall he follovs