The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-03-16


Vas tasgA. ~ tusssy vcets By Aiss
Phylin1a Boeerta q Durpct Tie IN
sIpericscc Of Ibis TEACHER, and The
srAllness Of lie school. which readers
& vel nigh Impossible TO s,ir up Asy
enthusiasm Ia study, we're of course,
biudenBg circumstances. On ths
whols tie terra was as profitable -
cguld be expected
u District No. IS. Barnumville. The
summer term Vas kept with fair sue.
cess ~ Miss Emna L. Sykes Of Dor
set. who taught in tho winter 10 the
Purdy district. add the winter term BY
Miss Jalia Richardson, a teacher
somewhat well known, alike IN that
district and in towu, who taught .
good school.
You see thus the character Of the
schools Of the town for The past year,
most Of them being fair at least, many
good Better pay would have secured
better teachers. and better teachers
would have made better schools
Longer schools would have been better
10 some cases. Twenty weeks Of
learning and thirty-two weeks OF for
getting is not a. arrangement favor
able 10 the advancement Of pupils -
Also. even the present arrangement.
unequal as Il is 10 It's results. bears
unequslly on the tax payers. IL Is The
true New England idea that taxes are
to be uniform throughout the town and
privileges As nearly so as possible.
This can be gained only by the abol-
ishmeut Of the present district system
aud the substitution OF the town syt-
tenn wish to urge upon you the
consideration Of the adyiaabiity Of
adopting the town system, which pos
sesses great advantages both TO the
head of the pupil and to the pocket OF
the parent. Further, it seems that
some arrangement should be made by
which the advantages Of Burr and
Burton Seminary can DO put within the
reach Of all. 1t is, indeed. great good
fortune to the town of Manchester to
have this noble seat Of learning within
her borders. and many of you have
yourselves made use Of its advantages.
BY it's presence among US 1t obviates
the need OF high school, which should
of course be free to all. So then il
any be poor, and many bright boys
and girls are, it becomes quite tax 10
secure what in other circumstances
would be free. Thus they are losers
when they should be gamers BY the
presence OF the Seminary. What ]
mean is that the authorities Of the
town or of the district ought to make
such arrangements with the trustees
of Burr and Burton Seminary rs shall
make it free to every boy and girl in
Manchester who is qualified to attend.
This much of education this proud
town owes TO all it's sons and daugh-
tiers.
In respect to the condition OF the
school houses, | have but little to say
Most are now in reasonably good con
dition. One, as have already limited
needs prompt and thorough repairs
and in almost every case little money
would be we'll spent in adding to the
conveniences. do not remember &c
have seen dictionary in any school
house in town, yet you grumble if
word is mispronounced. Blackboard
room is in most cases lacking, and you
sometimes forget 10 furnish any chalk
OF maps in most districts there are
none. Amap Of the United States a
least is cheap enough now, no that il
might be tired at any rate. If the
visitor sits, the teacher must IN many
cases stand, or in some school houses
there is no chair at all. You provide
shade for your cattle. but you do not
curtain out the sun which pelts 81
pitilessly ia at the windows on q sum
mer's afternoon. Little things TO b.
sure, but all the easier 10 attend 20
The condition of the out houses 10 Il
most cases positively disgraceful. /
is a shame in q country uiat calls itsel
civilized, in town that boasts OF it
culture to allow such polluted spots I
remain where our soma and daughter
are trained. Nor should you blAm
the teacher. You can not expect q re
fined girl, as most Of our teachers are
to teach rude boys their duty regard
: ing such matter. and thus expos
! herself TO insult. 1t belongs to th
/. fathers Of the district. At your mex
school meeting order the outbuilding
put in good condition, and appoin
some man or men living near th
school house TO see that they are KEEP
in order, and then al help him 10 th
task, till filthy boys have been laugh
some measure Of deca ncy Somehsv
said that the public schools are he
81. ~ ,.;on. 7 A. -. h.i;s Z. L.,