Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-05-19
GRAFTON.
SUPPOSED TO BE A DREAM.

ana Wnen viewing surroundings as the
actually exist, may not be as easily deter
mined as at first thought is usually SUP
posed. When human mind is create,
an existence is commenced that will
never terminate, nor will the activity O
the mind ever for moment be disturbe,
whatever may be the condition of tn
body. While sleeping the mind is equal
ly active as when wakeful. Its conclu
sions may not always be as correct, no
are we always able to recall what hai
passed through the mind while the body
is at rest, but these facts furnish no evi
dence that the mind ever for moment
is inactive.
The following is supposed to be what
is usually denominated dream:
/ fancied myself assembled with the
entire population of my native town, the
object of the gathering being to discover
If possible, the cause of unproductive
lands, decrease of population and the
depreciating value Of farms. Speakers
and listeners were all of one accord, ar
gument was uncalled for. The cause APP
parent to all was, that the present meth
cd of arranging and conducting the
common schools, the hope of our
union" was fearfully erroneous. A
committee af seventy-six was appointed
to suggest the most effectual remedy for
the existing evil, and to report within
five minutes from the time of their APP
pointment. The committee reported on
time, which report closed with the fol-
lowing preamble and resolution:
Whereas, the paramount importance
of education and intelligence to every
nation is unquestioned, and believing
our common school system superior to
that of any other people on the face of
the globe, therefore
Resolved, That the selectmen of the
town of Tomlinson be instructed, imme-
diately to re-district said town, forming
the same into thirty-nine school districts
IN place of thirteen, the present number
and that said selectmen be authorized to
locate school houses in each of said dis
tricts and with the view of increasing
the value and productiveness of farms,
to select for the location of each school |
house, the highest eminence in each dis
trict regardless of the location of old
school houses, convenience of access. or
the boundary lines of the districts, pro-
vided such elevated positions shall place
said school houses in view of the largest
number of farm dwelling houses and
should it be found that a greater num-
Der than four children of school age were
within the limits of any one of
aid districts, said seleetmen are author
zed, upon the application of three legal
-oters, to divide such district into apy
lumber required, so that in no case shall {
! larger number than four scholars be
permitted to attend any one school.
The absurdity of such sentiments = ,
he idea that an unoccupied school house
ould increase the value of a farm
roubled me exceedingly. ! attempted
o rise but was unable to move: my eff
orts to speak were equally unavailing,
nut while making efforts to express my
isapproval of the measures being adopt
d, | suddenly awoke and greatly to nv {
eiief found it all a dream. A correct !,
ublic sentiment was doing justice to all /; t
idicious consolidation was the order of
he day school districts where the num-
er OF scholars was so limited and vary
1g In age and attainments so that profit.
BILE schools could not be had, were being 3
nited with adjacent districts; districts f
avlng no scholars and supporting no /
,hools were added to districts where ;
ohools were sustained small districts {
dJolning villages were being united to s
lch districts, so that the money of the t
ealthy was appropriated to aid the poor v
nd the poor mans child enjoyed equal :
dvantages with the wealthy. My cup i
rejoicing ran over. / laughed at my a
ollsh vision and at once recalled TO Fl
ind saying of once venerable resi-. t
ent of Tomlinson who was excessively 4
nd of the ardent, and when speaking 5
its use often remarked that there was s,
F" curious medium to be Observed So u
nd in the formation of school dis. n
lets, and / decided to take my next !
cal OF fried oysters several hours be- v
re retiring. W
DEA. SMITHS GRANDSON. o.
The CENTENNIAL AND TRAyF1- W