Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-07-06


From the New England Journal Of Education.
In late communication Hon. Edward Co.
nant, State Superintendent of Education,
writes AZ follows. Il have lately looked into
a few schools. At Richmond were two teach
ers and some ninety scholars; at Essex June
tion, l2j pupils and 3 teachers; at WinOoski,
l57 pupils and teachers These schools
are partially graded, and are doing well, with
prospect Of Improvement. In the public
schools Of Burlington there are $50 pupils
and % teachers. including one music teacher
whose whole time is employed in the schools.
St Marys school in Burlington, has an at
tendance OF about $50 pupils, with teachers;
IN good behavior and good manners this
school Is not excelled by any in Vermont
The performances Of the pupils in arithmetic.
reading and singing were very creditable, and
the wrltIng-boolls and drawing books of the
older pupils are kept with more than usual
neatness and accuracy. The schools of Hyde
park and Morrisyille are closed for the sea-
SON."
We learn from Mr.. Conant, also, that four
teen pupils of the High School in Burlington
Will be prepared for college at the close of the
present term; and that Is glory enough for
one of the public schools of Vermont for this
year, but let the number be doubled next
year, and let the other public high schools of
the State emulate that Of Burlington. 1t is
a matter OF pride and JOY for Burlington.
that her public schools may open the door Of
our Univer ity for SO many pupils year after
year. We understand, also, that the Middle
bury High School will graduate ten or twelve
prepared to enter Middlebury College. Be
sides these high schools, jaIIc schools, there
are twelve or fourteen more from which more
or less will go into college at the next com
mencement. Well may Vermonters. in view
OF these things thank God and take courage.
THE Old apprentice system was 81 we're, but
the present almost total absence of any ap-
prentice system ia Injurious 4 man works
at a trade for few months, j,ins union and
is full-fietSed mechanic boy sery es for
year or 80 a. an apprentice and then slips
of to pass himself % as a competent mech
anic the number Of apprentices in many
pursuits is regulated by the union, and thus
competent labor is Curtailed The inspector.
of a Pennsylvania pcnitentiary examining
convicts found that Is per cent had been
in the public schools and 10 per cent had
received no school instruction, while in
another where special inquiry was made 81
per cent. had not been apprencised. With
technical education must come an i'm
proved apprentice system, to elevate the
desire for perfection among the young and
to increase the rhoroughness of labor To
place a boy upon the world with trade
only partially or indifIerentIy acquired is to
put him at disadvantage all through life,
and to create in him an indifference for per
lection. Skilled labor is the great need Of
the times 1t is always in demand, com
mands good price, and the possessor of
skill in any industrial pursuit has conpe-
tency for life. If we examine those who
are idle we shall find that an enormous per-
centage Of that idleness is due to worthless
ness and lack Of skill.- Boston journal Of
Commerce.