Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-11-12
For heiFreeman.
REPLY TO MIR. LAWRENCE.

hEi LII ~ MIN. LA W hENNCs
Mr.. EDIToR:-I received the idea from
Mr.. Lawrence's remarks in the FREEMAN,
dated September 10th, that the mothers
were thrust one side on the Educational
Question at issue, for he entertains
doubts whether or no girl graduated
from " that largest academy in the coun-
ty could make II loaf of bread.
Now we will suppose shei cannot, l
would like to ask to ask the gentleman,
where does the fault lie, at the academy S
or her mothers doorP l had supposed
that the requirement of the teaching of
domestic duties in our schools was among
the things of the past; that progression
had been going on in that respect, and
that mothers had taken that work in hand
and were now sending their daughters to
school to be taught branches that could
not be so easily taught at home. | felt
almost indignant at the thought that we
were deemed incapable of performing our
duty, or if negligent, it should be thrust
upon the academy as lis fault. But per
haps Mr.. Lawrence did not mean so bad,
for hear from him again and he says that
he is glad u mother has come to the front,
and hopes she will insist upon having the
last word until this common school ques-
ton shall be settled to her entire satisfac-
ton. That might seem very selfish in me,
as there are many conflicting minds upon
the subject, but would it not be much bet
ter to reason upon the subject candidly
than to " fretP" 81 think there is too
much tret-aeorb and not enough good, solid
work done about it."
As to nay being really satisfied with our
common schools at the present day, can
truly say that | am not; and am sorry 10
say it makes me fret. The question
arises in my mind. Who is to blame for
this dissatisfaction Have the majority of
the people reached that state of mind that
they are dissatisfied with everything, good
or bad? | think not. also think that
| commenced at the root of the evil in my
first article, for after thorough trial Of
several years of the board of education, u
it was dropped and q state superintend-
ent :" put in its place.
| would inquire, Has there been any
marked improvement since that move
mentP If not, why not? Have the
normal schools benefited our common
schools? If so, in what way? l would
ask. 1t Is my mind that they have been a
damage, for the reason of the low stand
ard of their scholarship. think that our
scholars should graduate from common
school with greater honors than they
achieve in the first course of the normal.
Many of our teachers at the present day
are graduates from that course, and come
within our midst as great teachers, they
having their testimonials with them; also
a five years certifcate-and what can
they teachP Merely the lower branches,
and you have to try them in school to
know that they are capable of that; but
their certificate enables them to be indie
pendent, and carries them along for a
while.
do not mean 10 be understood that you
can find no good teachers there, for
know you can; but were l school com.
mttee should choose them from the sec.
ond course, if either, and require them to
teach any study carried into school, and !
think parents should have the privilege OF
choosing their children's studies, and as
for text books, they should be uniform
throughout the state.
FARMERS WIFE.
October Goth. 1879.