Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-10-18
yuatrhmar Dc MnnrraL.
A PrOper Measure.

A Proper Measure.
Senator Howard has varied the monotony
of the character of the bills which have been
introduced at the present session of the leg
islature by a proposition to substitute the
town for the district system of schools.
There have been bills relating to almost
every other subject, moral and material. 1t
is refreshing to know that subject rank
ing every other in Importance and in dire
necessity for legislative action has been
brought to the consideration of the general
assembly. Tax laws, highway laws, liquor
laws have found a multitude Of advocates in
and outside of the legislature. The press
has been full of the uproar over taxation
and temperance, and the election of men to
Offices of high and low degree has turned
upon their record on these questions. No
one has thought it worth his while to en-
quire what senator's or representatives.
position might be on the subject of public
schools, or Of popular education, The ques-
ton underles all others. 1t decsively af-
fects the moral and material welfare of the
state. According as it lapguishes or -four
ishes, the necessity for penal and reforma-
tory institutions is enhanced or diminished.
OF itself it necessarily affects the intelligent
discussion and correct solution of questions
of political and economical character ard
so lies at the very foundation of the highest
and best prosperity of the state. Money
exceeding half a million dollars is annually
expended on the public schools, and ten
thousand dollars is expended for their an
nual supervision. Few tax payers have any
idea how this money is expended or whether
the state is receiving benefit in any way
commensurate with this immense outlay.
Every item of court and state expenses aggre-
eating far less sum than is expended, almost
unchalenged, on the schools is subjected to
closest scrutiny. Waste, transportation
or inefliciency is zealously guarded against
Officials at the head of different depart
ments of state administration give direction
to wise and effective legislation by practical
suggestions drawn from their observation
and experience. The public schools and
general education form the signal excep-
ton to state subjects thus honored. The
governor does little more than deplore the
low estate of education. No scheme for the
relief of the schools or to increase their eff
fciency is developed. The special officer at
the head of the department of education,
after two years of labor and observation, has
not even the suggestion of a remedy for the
evils he deplores. Platitudes are not suff-
GENTLY aggressive to meet the exigencies OF
the case. Reports of local educational
meetings, however interesting or tiattering
to the participators, are not to the point.
The advertisement of academies, subsidized
by the state as normal oohuols, with their
gro.s array of unimportant statistics, may
help the law makers to decide that these
schools are more pretentious than useful,
but they do not afford the clue to the rem
edy which shall reinvigorate the district
schools. These and many other things, with
some necessary statistical matter, make up
the report of the superintendent of educa-
ton, but he is as silent as the grave as to any
suggestions which would enlighten the pub
lie or assist legislators in devising an edu-
cational system that will produce measure
bly, satisfactory results. A sitting of the
statistics and reports he gives, recommen-
dations of legislation drawn from his expe
rience and sanctioned by his judgment,
would have assisted to shape public senti-
ment and helped the law makers =" nntA-'-e
upon the work of new legislation designed
to reform and give efficiency to the school
system of the state.
Senator Towards bill should open up the
whole subject of schools and instruction.
No fragmentary legislation will patch up
the dilapidated fabric known as the school
system of the state. Supervision, the key
stone of the arch of any system, normal
schools, educational boards are all parts
which must go to make up the effective
whole. If the committee on education by
sedulous devotion to this one subject shall
succeed in securing the passage of bill
that shall assure the state good schools, it
will have accomplished the most important
and useful work of this or any previous 'ses-
sion. The task is heavy and complicated,
and in view of the difficulties with which |
it is beset, the general lack of informa-
nation on the subject and the apathetic pub
lie sentiment, we have questioned the desir-
ability of undertaking any decisive legisla-
ton till a commission properly constituted
could investigate the subject thoroughly
and report to succeeding legislature with
recommendations of legislation. The sub.
ject seems to us of so much Importance and
invested with so much difficulty, in the alb
sence of necessary information and in the
lack of any clearly defined public opinion,
that great good would be done and the most
judicious haste made by submitting the
whole question to impartial gentlemen of
good judgment to investigate, sift and rec
ommend what action should be taken.