Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-08-18
NO. 33.
DiRcuItIcs OF sectarIan Use of school
FmuHa.

Let us then inquire what are the immc-
diate practical effects OF division of the
school funds among the different religious
denominations, and of consignment to
them Of tho province of secular education.
The principle of division will recognize, at
least on its first trial, the class of indifler-
ent people as well as the class of disbeliev-
ers in religion as entitled to their pro rata
in the distribution. The first occasion for
collision will be found in the practical de-
tails OF partitioniug the funds. The school
funds permanently invested and the school
funds collected by taxation are under the
direction of the political power. The stand
ard of division, and the minute regulations
necessary for its application, must be adopt
ed by the political power. The settlement
of these questions will necessarily involve
long and bitter controversies. For ii Is not
to be supposed that political body made
up of representatives Of all classes of faiths
will agree at once upon a simple and Just
basis OF division that will be recognized as
such by the majority OF the community.
Then in the administration of the division
afler the basis has been adopted, still worse
collisions hnpend. Each class of believers
will become suspicious of parliality in the
directory who are appointed 10 administer,
inasmuch as the members OF The directory
will belong each personally TO some one
class of believers. In the adoption of a ba-
sis TOR division, rules must he made re-
garding registration and attendance of pu-
pills; regarding the qualifications OF teach
CTS and the tests of the efficiency of their
instruction; regalding the course ofstudy,
and the amount and kind of secular in
struction 10 be given; regarding the ac-
commodations furnished 10 the children in
the matter of buildings (heating, light, VEN
tilation, etc., and apparatus furniture,
maps, globes, reference books, etc.); re-
garding the form of reports to be made to
inspectors and the aid and assistance 10 be
rendered to such inspectors. For Just
basis of division must take into account all
OF these things and many more. 1t must
consider not merely the number of children
enrolled, but the actual attendance of each,
and the length of daily session as well as
number of days attended. 1t must consid-
er the ages of pupils; for instruction costs
less and is comparatively less valuable in
infancy than in malurer years. The liter
ary qualifications OF teachers can be ascer-
tanned only by examination conducted by
government inspectors, and their qualitca-
tions as 10 discipline and instruction only
by inspection of their actual work in
school. To distribute public money to
poorly taught schools, or to schools in
which secular education has been dwarfed
and pushed aside for religious instruction,
would afford just cause of complaint on the
part of those who have furnished good in
structioH in kind and amount in the secu-
lar branches. The obvious necessity OF
appointing government inspectors over
these parochial schools, and of giving them
authority 10 examine teachers, grant certif-
icates, aud prescribe standards of instruc-
lion and discipline, gives occasion for con-
slant conflict between the civil lower and
the various religious castles. Whatever
strong denomination chooses to consider
unjust interference or discrimination will
be resented, and a powerful influence will
be brought to bear on the government
through their representatives to modify it.
\ government elected by popular vote is
III Gu ruIaleu 10 WITHSTAND sucn pressure, ,and
can Il" i; only by means of the creation of
secia; an bias among the members of the
opposition. a defeat of one sect at this
time in the government would bring about
renewed effort at the next popular election
at the polls. Religious animus mingliug
with political animus would make partisan
intensity very bitter. The history Of Flor
ence may be protitably studied on this
point IVm. T. Harris in august Atlantic.