The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-03-17

Inspector OF Public Instruction.
Some men are ever on the alert, seek
ing the paltry gain Of some petty Office.
To play prominent part upon the stage
Of human existence, and to be ever the
object of public gaze and the attraction
Of public attention, seems to be the only
ambition Of some, their one great aim in
life, their only hope, their final redemp-
ton.
To this end they employ means Of
whatsoever character imaginable they
sacrifice manhood, disrobe themselves Of
honors true mantle, make disgraceful
farce Of any true idea OF principle, and
render one ashamed and hateful of the
synonym Of character as identified in
themselves, This temptation to become
an oficc.holder is, we fear, much too
strong for some to resist. The honor (?)
accruiDg from such source is much too
cumbersome burden for some to bear.
Their bump of self-esteem swells to an
enormous size; they are seized with lofty
ideas Of "myseli' and "mine," become
inspired with no feelings of benevolence,
but in fact, do become perfect embodi-
ment of pure selfshness.
TO one present at the annual meeting
of one Of the towns OF Addison County
upon last Tuesday, evidence of these
truths would have appeared with as.
founding force. We here witnessed an
act disgraceful in character, but charac-
teristic of its supporters, and freely illus.
trative Of our point.
We refer to the removal Of the Super
intendent of schools in this town; or
rather, we should say the shamefully
abusive manner in which he was "kicked
out " A man who is known in every
section Of this state as one Of its abest
and most successful teachers, whose abili.
ty and qualifications as an instructor has
never yet been questioned; man who
for twenty years has been connected with
the schools of Vermont, and who with the
wisdom and experience of all these years,
has done much to sustain and promote
the school system Of this state, and has
been yet more efficient in clevatiDg the
standard of the teacher in this county,
and has made every sacrifice on the part
of himself as teacher and superintendent
to raise yet higher the standard in his
own town such man | say was literally
clicked out" Of chair without the least
notification and without knowledge even
that his resignation was desired.
When ten or twelve men, however il.
litcrate they may be, become so jealous
and inconsistent that they openly abuse
and injure one Of Nermont's best educa
tors, somebody should speak. When they
form themselves into n ring and secretly
pledge themselves to support such an act
the public should know how they accom-
plished it. Having associated themselvc:
together in one corner Of the room amidst
the excitement and confusion in the real
of the assembly, the sign was hastily Civ
eD, and. behold, Mr.. Moderator in very
low and subdued tone. said in his delber
ate way, 1--WE will now elect Inspector o
public instruction" Characteristic ye
uncommon terms.) Up spoke a secont
intriguer, and, as lo~ly and meekly, nom
mated friend and associate. while /;
third favored the motion, and the twelv,
carried it before we, innocent Of AM
trickery, could make heard our dissentip,
voice. Those twelve men originated tn,
movement and seized this opportunit,
duriag the inattcntion Of the meeting t,
effect their purpose.
When a man originates such schem,
because the superintendent does not con
slider his daughter competent or sufficient
y qualified to gain certificate, and be
cause at her examination she did not offc
rs guarantee. an average of more tnal
thirty per cent, while that demanded b,
the state is seventy five, We think it vel
. nigh time that he should be apprised o
. the character of such a scheme and of tn
, worth Of him who would originate it.
We DO not doubt the legality of tn
movement They were shrewd enougl
, to seize upon the opportunity and carries
, their point at the disgust and ridicule o
the whole town. But there is one thin
, we do question, aud that is the justic
aud honor Of the matter, and also tn
/: characters Of those men who perpetrate
the deed.
In such town rs his, boasting of he
years Of peaceful and harmonious flow Q
quietude in all matters both religious
political and secular. in this town can W
, name the men who would engage in
, performance of such underhand trickery
characterized only by such wantonnes
; and disgrace and none can handle wit
safety? We fear we eau. Forbid this
. We Judge them accordingly.
D JUSTICE.