The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-02-03
Aliooleburg 4sgistsr.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1874.
DIR. French and the Vermont Board Of
EduCatiOn.

DIR. French and the Vermont Board OF
Education.
Without stopping to return compli-
ments, with our friends Of the Brandon
UNION, or attempting to discuss at
length the several topics suggested by
their Medical" discussion, we simp-
~ desire to ask question. Who Will
vouch for the truth of the charges
against Secretary French and the Yer
mont Board of Education, which are
implied, if not directly asserted, i'll the
article above referred to? II the Board
of Education is n humbug fraud and
sham, and DIR. French either bought
himself into the State, or was bought
into it," the people ought 20 know 1t.
We do not suppose the UNION wishes
to be held responsible for that asser-
ton. We do not suppose the editor be-
lieves it TO have any foundation in fact.
Laying this, probably unconsidered,
charge side, and after reading the full
column of complaints and inuendoes,
we are still constrained to ask : In
what respect has Mr. French failed?
We are no champion Of his. We have
no interest in him that we do not feel
for any man who occupies position Of
great responsibility as a public educa-
tor. If he is doing good work we would
stay up his hands. II not, let the seal
pei be used freely. But we must pro-
test against the unmeaning criticisms
which are sometimes used, not from
malice or viciousness, but because it is
easier to condemn than to discriminate.
If Mr.. French is unfit" for the po-
sition he holds, his three years service
ought, certainly to "have demonstra-
ted" it. And if the assertion 10 public
ly made to that effect, it devolves upon
those making it, to show cause. The
use of such elegant pet names as self
conceited, acknowledging, gas-fac 20
ry" prove nothing. 1t is about as easy
to call names as to make faces.
have done better. At Least, we do not
wish TO assert that no one but the pres
ent incumbent would be competent to
fill the position of Secretary of the
Board Of Education with acceptance tc
the people. 1t is presumable that there
are many others who might do this ser
vice. But, certainly, no feeling Of cha
grin, or sensltiveness that ones own ser
vices and abilities have not been suf
ficiently recognized, should be allowed
to prevent the recognition Of worth ant
ability in a more successful candidate
for any position. If such was the mo
tive which prompted 'one of Vermont.
ablest teachers to make that ungener
Gus and ungentlemanly remark abou
DR.. French it was hardly commenda
BILE, TO say the least
No candid person will affirm that i
was improper for DR.. French to lay hi
own arithmetics before the Board o
Education, for their acceptance. or t
explain their eXcellencies if they hav
any If any odium is to be attached /
any body for making a poor selection
il cannot rest with the Secretary, VIII
has neither voice or vote in the deter
mination Of the question of their adop
ton. Suppose he did make a persona
presentation of the claims of his bool
to especial excellence, did not othe
publishers have and exercise the sam
privilege Is it true that Secretar.
French is favorite with the Boar
further than that he has won their re
gard by his fidelity and efficiency il
the work entrusted to him? When
appears that Secretary French is eithe
unworthy ,orincompetent, we shall hav
nothing to say in his defense. But tn
mere dictum of persons who have II
further care for the matter than
make a sensation, should not be acceI
ted as proof of any fatal lack of qualitie
essential to successful prosecution Of tn
work of his office.
The more serious part Of the crit
cisms to which we have referred, II
perhaps, that which relates to the me !
bers of the Vermont Board Of Educi
ton. The Board should not be exemI
from just criticism. But if these il
situations of corruption and incomp'
tency, are only the revival of the oil
exploded charges preferred by son
disappointed aspirants for the positio
occupied by DR.. French and investig,
ted by Legislative Committee in 1877
with no additional proofs to back then
it is not especially creditable to Il
head or heart of the one who ute
them. We do not desire to be undo
stood as defending them, by any mean
1t does not yet appear that they nee
any defense. What we want to kno,
is,wherein has the Board shown incor
potency, unfaithfulness, or corruption
Let US have something definite.
AT some future time we propose
say n few words about the Vernon
Board Of Agriculture and State Agl
cultural College.
The MiJdIeburv Meeting. ~
An assembly of about forty perso