Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-10-12
Educational Awakening.

Evidence multiplies that there is the
beginning of an awakening in this state to
the necessity of reform in its educational
system and methods, or rather its unmeth-
odical modes, of instruction. The recent
meeting at Middlesex of the Washington
County Association of Teachers and School
Officers was well attended, aud methods Of
instruction in important branches taught in
the public schools received full, a spirited.
a sensible and practical discussion and
calculation by leading teachers and friends
of the common schools in the county. If
the teachers present will "note, mark
and inwardly digest" the hints and
suggestions put out on that occasion for
their benefit, and make practical applica-
ton Of them in the daily management OF
their schools, they will begin to find them
selves distinguished among the teachers OF
the county and their services will be in
demand. 1t is suggested to these teachers
that note book is an indispensable adjunct
to such occasions. Liberal notes of the
unfolded and discussed, will be invaluable
in assisting them to catch and retain the
gist of the speakers remarks and to embody
them subsequently in their school ministra-
tions. The work of this association was
well commenced at Middlesex and IT'S friends
greatly encouraged to put their shoulder to
the wheel in spite of the formidable and
almost appalling magnitude of the work
it has undertaken. If there is one thing
more than another which the association
now needs and will appreciate, it is the
hearty support and encouragement OF the
lady friends of education in the county.
Membership of the association knows no
limit of sex, race, color or previous condi-
ton of servitude" 1t needs funds, and the
treasurer, Mr.. Frank Donahue of Moretown,
will be pleased to receive donations from
the literally disposed. Every friend OF edu-
cation in the county should enroll his name
aud pay the membership fee of twenty-five
cents, and as much more as interest or abil-
ity disposes. Another meeting will soon be
held at place yet to be designated, and it
is expected that the session will be concur
rent with the next educational meeting
called for this county by State Superintend-
dent Dartt. The meeting will occur just
before the winter session of the district
schools and will be of special interest.
The teachers of the county should bear this
in mind and make their arrangements to
attend
Apropos of this subject of an awakening
interest in the public schools, comes the wall
of correspondent bemoaning the low estate
of educational interest in neighboring
town. Misery loves company. Waterbury
is not sinner with respect to her school
privileges above most of her two hundred
forty sister towns. Whatever comfort or
consolation this correspondent can gather
from the fact that the condition of things
which he alleges exists in that community
are not unknown throughout the county
and state, is his to enjoy. We have no
doubt that full two hundred similar stories
might be told of as many towns by equally
wretched school system, and worse methods
of school management and instruction, that
prevail all over this state. The indictment
in previous issues of the WATERMAN
against the district schools of the state on
the score OF their general inefficiency, as
made by practical men familiar with the
facts, has never been disputed. The abuses
in the former system of court expenses where
the total amount involved, so far as the state
was concerned, was in round numbers about
one hundred thousand dollars, attracted the
serious attention of our governors, and was the
subject of effective reformatory Legislation.
Here is matter in which, exclusive of the
individual expenses of the parents for text
books, the amount involved is in round
numbers half a million dollars. 1t is charged,
and the charge is endorsed by state and
town superintendent, and may be substan-
tiated by an examination Of some two thou
sand district schools, that reasonably eff.
cacious results are not realized from this
expenditure; that indeed results fall far be-
low reasonable degree of efficiency. II
these charges are even measurably true, il
is very serious thing more detrimental to
the highest welfare OF the state, than the
abuses glazing as they were, in the system Of
taxation or court expenses. If the half il
true, an earnest educational awakening can
not begin too soon. The attention of thu
chief executive to the condition of eui
schools and to the consideration of ways ant
means for common-school reform is imper
atively demanded. Governor Farnham an,
his successors will find in this subject
fruitful theme for their messages. If taxa
ton, court expenses, the reform school an
lesser matters, have been worthy of gubel
material attention, here is one that overlap
them all in point of vital Importance. MeaI
time, associations like that recently forme
in this county should be organized in ever
county in the state; the county association
should be supplemented by town societies
which teachers, superintendent, committe
and citizens, should meet for the dscussic
of school matters and educational method
the town associations will feed the coun
organization the latter will become So
of educational exchange where the know
edge aud experience of each teacher
school officer may be made common pro
erty In this way reform will commend
very much of present good be accomplishe
and the way paved for greater and bett
results.
Garfield Memorials.
A project for national memorial hospit
in Washington on the spot where the pre-
dent was assassinated has been set on fC
and an organization formed to carry it il
effect. The object has the sympathy a