Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-30
TIE SCHOOL MEETING.

gathering of its kind ever held in this vii
lage. Its remarkable character, however,
did not consist in any unusual demonstra-
ton which took place, but simply in the
full attendance, anI the entire unanlmity
of sentiment aud perfect good feeling
which prevailed. Tae meeting was called
at The High school building, as the law pro-
vides, aud The voters wero called TO order
promptly at half-past seven, the hour
named In the warrant, 10y G. II. Stevens,
clerk of the district. S. NJ. Waite was
unanimously elected moderator, and then,
many more being present than the school
room could accommodate, a motion to adj
journ to the town hall was made and carried.
Some two or three hundred voters were
found to be waiting at the hall in anticlpa-
ton of such an adjournment, ard the re-
suit was that, in all, enough citizens were
present TO fill every seat in the body Of the
house, while several ladies occupied the
gallery, and many others were only pre-
vented from witnessing the proceedings by
the exceptionally bad state of the weather.
The first business at the hall was the read
lug OF the financial report by the treasurer,
c. +. Thompson. The report was accepted,
aud is given in full al the end OF these notes.
The prudential committees report was
then called for, and S. NJ. Waite responded
with a brief statement Of the satisfactory
condition in which the schools had been
found Ut the recent examinations. Il. w.
Clarke confirmed Mr.. Wales report, and
j. NJ. Tyler followed with short summa-
ry Of the general school work of the year,
closing with an expression of his views re-
garding the opinion sometimes expressed
that our High school ought 10 Git boys and
girls Tor entrance 10 college without fur
Their preparation. Mr.. Tyler was strongly
opposed TO that idea for the reason that the
great mass of pupils do not aim at a college
course, but only seek TO he educated for
practical life, aud ir the Principal Of the
High school were to devote his time TO fit
ting classes for college, the cry would very
soon be raised that the rights aud claims Of
the large majority CT students were being
neglected or ignored for the benefit Of the
few.
A general discussion Of topics connected
with the schools then took place, which
was perfectly candid and good-tempered
throughout, aud was at no time character
lied by any harsh or severe criticism of the
schools or of anything connected with them.
l.. X. Fuller said that during repeated WIS.,
its to the High and Grammar schools he
had found the discipline good and the prog
ress satisfactory, and he had been so well
pleased with what he saw that he had no
suggestions 10 make Of any changes in Ell
Their teachers or methods. lie thought,
however, that the work of those schools
might perhaps be pushed forward moro
rapidly so that pupils would save years
time in each school. Mr.. Fuller also sug-
gested the propriety of extending music
and drawing to all grades of the public
schools. c. f. Thompson spoke from his
own personal knowledge in regard to the
grade OF the schools which has so often
been called in question as not being high
enough. Mr.. Thompson said that lie and
his friend Capt. Clarke had found, on at
tempting TO enter their daughters at Vassar
College some three years ago, without any
preparation on the part OF the young ladies
other than they had received in the High
school, that their advancement was such
that they were at once admitted, entirely
contrary to their expectation, TO the regular
course of study in the college without en-
tering the preparatory grades. With the
exception of Greek this preparation would
have been sufficient to admit to Yale Col
leee. and hethought this test to be as severe
as could be asked for. These remarks were
followed by vigorous and characteristic
protest from w. ii. Alexander against any
further crowding OF our children, aud Mr..
Alexander's sentiments were Immediately
and emphatically endorsed by DIR. Holton,
who said that there was not physician in
the village who was not aware from his
own professional experience that in many
cases serious injury had resulted to chill
dren in the public schools from being
pushed forward in their studies faster than
their physical strength would warrant. Ii.
L. Smith made remarks in support of the
schools and A. c. Davenport entered an
earnest protest against the attempt which
had been made in some Instances by local
papers 10 bring our schools and their teach
ers into discredit both at home aud abroad.
This sentiment was warmly endorsed by
other speakers, and as giving utterance to
the universal feeIing Of the district on this
subject, g. +. Thompson submitted the fol-
lowing resolution which was unanimously
adopted amid storm Of applause:
Resolved, Assembled as we are, large
majority OF this School District. that in view
of the public examinations oil the schools
in this district, which have lust been held.
a md also N l. laHn ~ ha
same, both High, Grammar, aud Primary,
we are perfectly satisfied with their present
condition and the high standard attained
and maintained in them, and are fully per-
suaded that in no respect do our schools
fall behind the average ofthe graded schools
in this state.
The general discussion ended here and
the next business was the election Of off,
GERS, which was accomplished viud rocc.
The board for the current year is as follows
c. III. Stevens, Clerk; j. w. Simonds,
Collector; c. F. Thompson, Treasurer; A.
c. Davenport, Auditor; j. NJ. Tyler, S. NJ.
Waite, II. w. Clarke, Prudential Commit
tee.
1t was voted TO have the visiting commit
tee for this year consist of three members
instead of two as formerly. The following
persons were elected: B. f. Bingham, Miss
Rebecca Crosby, Madame Mondan.
1t was voted to leave the number OF
schools, the length OF terms and the ques-
tiol of receiving tuition pupils to the dis
erection OF the prudential committee. A
resolution submitted by DR.. Holton, pro-
posing the appointment of supplement
tary committee TO confer with the regular
C committees relative to revising the present
course of study, was lost. DIR. Hoton apt
ly remarked that this vote must be consid-
cred as an unqualified expression of salts
faction on the part of the district, with tho
course of study as now pursued.