Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-03-29
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1873
A RejoInder.

Mr.. Editor Notwithstanding the big gun from
Mr.. Jones and the doctor" Subscriber is yet
alive, and proposes TO have still further review
Of 81 facts" In relation to the hiring OF ones
relatives and boarding at our house," Mr. Jones
says " evidently referred TO the case OF a direc-
tor who, after repeated solicitations from patrons
Of the school," etc Had the gentleman been in
search Of facts" had he been willing to state
matters as they were, he would not have eudeav.
ored to palm off this single least Objectionable
case az the one to which referred lie well knows
that 1t has been quite common practice among
other directors. He we'll knows that one director
has boarded sixteen out Of eighteen terms. and
that when competition became sharp and bids
were offered less than what he wished to board
for, he adopted the shrewd dodge of hiring the
teacher board included, and then they boarded
at "our house" just the same. In relation to
the number OF times had known the chairman
to call meeting Of the board without getting
quorum together, he says " reference to the rec
ords of the board, as kept by the clerk, show
nothing on which to base this statement" A
clerk is elected as the law provides, but during
eight years knowledge of the doings OF the board
think the clerk has not been present over three
"post up" he will find that the duties Of the
clerk are to keep record Of the proceedings Of the
board The recording of what they fail to do Is
not one Of his special duties Why did not the
director do as had mind to in certain case2"
That was when they were trying to run the
town system" proper and one or two were
bossng the job. think Mr.. Jones was driven
into pretty small corner when he had TO go back
thirty-five years TO find precedent Of trouble in
school under the district system. thank the
gentleman for one admission That In order to
"do as much good az possible" 1t has been found
necessary to discard some Of the leading features
Of the law, and run 1t as possible upon the
old district plan. The number Of schools mere
coincidence with the number Of directors Prob
ably this coincidence would happen in but
few towns in the state, consequently the objec.
ton, Not always chosen with reference to the
schools they had personal interest in" Always
with one exception, then man was elected who
lived but few rods over the line through the
influence Of one Of the most influential men Of the
old district. "a disposition to confer with the
chairman in matters Of detail" To some extern
it is true, but probably not so much so as with
neighbors who have more immediate interest IL
at one meeting of the board, but failed becaus'
some Of the board refused to serve II they coult
not act according to the best Of their judgmen
and ability. Rivalry exists between the direct
ors to get the best teachers, and at the same tint
to keep the expense at as low point a. possible.
An antagonistical point. 1t Is nonsense to tail
Of hiring the best teachers at the lowest wages
1.-THE vote OF the town an index OF public senti
ment." Mr. Jones thought that the decision o
the town not to enforce the equalization part o
the law was to prevent strife" Perhaps thi
last vote might be reconciled in the same way
1t IL certain that but short time before Marcl
meeting Mr.. Jones told me that with the feelinl
against the law that he knew existed, he had n,
doubt but what the town would vote to go bacl
to the old system. One thing is certain, vas
amount Of work was found necessary by tn
friends Of the law to bring about the result. Shar
figures and sharp practice, fair means and foul
were alike used One old district were falsel,
made to believe that they would have to pa,
back large amount Of money on account OF eI
ira repairs on their school-house. Another sec
ton that started the petition to the selectmen 70
the privilege Of going back, went back on them
selves not because they liked the law, but for 10
cal reasons Undoubtedly the only thing that ha
saved the law thus far is the liberal policy the,
have been forced to adopt. SUBSCRIBER.