The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-10-31

In conclusion, the state shonld make its educa-
tional structure deep broad and high, and open
| to ALL and its citizens should with loyal hdelity
maintain and preserve 1t.
| Mr.. Wheeler was followed by Hon. T. W.
| Bickne OF Boston In an eloquent and stirring
address. He said this was the beginning OF
| great educational revival. Interest was be-
| ginning to be taken in primary schools. Com
| mon schools, the jack-screws Of progress, were
| lifting the common schools and consequently
| lifting the whole superstructure. The head OF
the national lfe the city schools, has been
| carefully nurtured. but the country schools,
| its heart, has been neglected AS every shower
sends down the fertility of the hills to enrich
the valleys so every year has sent the ability
| of the country to perpetuate the city. Now
the city must pay back to the country that the
country child may have just as good advan-
| tages for obtaining an education as the city
child In Rhode Island he had secured the
| passage OF a law raising state tax for these
| schools. In this way something was done to
take back to the country the contributions the
| country had been making to the city. The
| child has right to demand an education, the
state has right to insist that the child shall
receive it, Great provision for the common
school is made by the states in the West, YER
mont as a state is doing nothing. We must
ask her for help. The only just rule for taxa
ton is that money should go where it can do
the most good General H. b. Darlington fol-
lowed with few energetic and pointed re-
marks.
] SATURDAY MORNING.
After the business meeting, Hon. T. W. Bick-
| nell opened the discussion on examination Of
| teachers Mr. Bicknell spoke of the i'm
portance of higher standard OF qualification
| for the teachers OF the country, and at the out
| set showed how wonderful was the advance
ment in material appliances for industrial
work, and that the same perfection should ex-
| ist in spiritual and intellectual work. In order
to secure the best talent, we must have large
funds from the state, as well as from the local
| treasury. The teacher should submit to
| thorough examination for three reasons: First,
the state, since so much of the states future
depends upon the pupils work While no par
tcular school can be said to furnish the best
teachers yet each helps to fix the standard
Horace Mann's work for higher standard In
teaching never lived SO emphatically as to-
day. Secondly, for the sake Of the school.
Since the good school is but the reflex of the
teacher, let there be rising tide at the school
desk, doing better and better work. We must
pay more, If we expect better work. Primary
teachers should be the best in the school, and
should receive the best pay. Nearly any good
scholar with directive power can teach high
school, but only those especially endowed can
teach in a primary grade. Thirdly, for the sake
| OF the profession. Normal schools ought to
ask the state to examine their pupils, and not
allow them to use the normal certificates as a
shield behind which to boast on examination
day Teaching power, not book learning is
the chief element in successful teaching.
Educational Meetings." Principal G. A.
Bunker Of Peacham, said broad view of the
subject includes not only institutes and ed
vocational meetings recognized by law. but also
all kinds of educational meetings. Institutes
and educational meetings have not always full
filled reasonable expectations, still they are
sometimes mighty power in advancing edu-
catonal interests. Teachers are exceedingly
liable to fall into ruts. Association with teach
ers and mutual interchange of ideas, vigorous
and even warm discussions will call attention
to questionable methods, and strengthen what
proves to be beneficial Many teachers take
no pains to improve in their methods They
take no school journals and attend no meet
iDgs Attendance upon institutes would rouse
such teachers from their Indifference Errors
into which they have unconscionsly fallen
would be disclosed and they would derive an
impulse for better work. What better means
of assistance can teachers have in forming a
correct judgment in all these matters than that
derived from such meetings? The speaker
took the ground that there was lack Of unity
of sentiment on the part of educators concern
ing the educational system of the state. The
members OF the association were urged to unite
upon well-digested system, and then ask for
appropriate legislation Referring to the make.
up OF the programme the speaker expressed
the conviction that the ladies should have far
larger part in these meetings II we are to
make progress in what so intimately concerns
u.s. we all have work to accomplish Let
each and every member of this association re-
solve henceforth to exert himself to the utmost
to make these gatherings profitable to the
teachers and the masses of the people, and a
very few years will witness grand and per
manent advance in the cause of education in
Vermont
Washington as Soldier" by Gen. II. B
Darlington of Boston, was the closing address
of the meeting The address was an exhaustive
illustration OF the principles Of strategic war
fare, as illustrated by the wisdom and field
movements of Washington in the conduct o.
the war for American independence. The gen
eral principles of military science were frs
, stated, showing that as far back as the earlies
history OF the Hebrews, the same Fundamental
ideas prevailed as to military operations, only
modified by change OF weapons and tn,
progress of mechanical art The key idea o
the address was to show that while it was tru,
British policy to cut off New England and tn,
Sonth from concert action with the central col
onies, it was equally wise in Washington Il
, hold the central position In New Jersey so al
, to continually threaten New York. and proven
the British from giving to either of the outside
operations a chance for success. Many sug
gestions were made to teachers in the way
simplifying the operations, and grouping tn,
events of the war, closing with a description
D Of that sequel to Washington's plans which
!; | outgeDeraled Clinton and closed the war b,
the capture of CORVALLIS. General Carringtoi
: spent thirty years, surveyed them In person
. visited Europe to study original archives, ant
is the author of the standard history and map
. of the revolutionary war. The audience wa
. held to close attention for an hour, when tn
u meeting was obliged to adjourn. Thus closet
1 one OF the most enthusiastic and profitable ed
. ucational meetings ever held within the limit
= OF the the state The officers for the following
u year are president, Principal c. A. Bunker o
!, Peacham; secretary, Principal j. M. Com
. stock of Springfield; treasurer. Principal L
Il V. Haskell OF Windsor; executive committee
!. Principal j. M. Hit of Mortified, Principal
. W. Landon Of Burlington, Principal c. c. Gov
. OF New Haven. The following resolutions wer
moved and unanimously adopted:
. Resolved, That efficient supervision ia a pressn
J., cation the present system Is mperatvely demande
as Will give TO our schools the benefit of thorough, fire
l., | quent and Intelligent expression by special
y trained for the performance of such duty.
n Res0lued, That note with salts faction and graf
ude the establishment of village and libraries
various parts of the state, and urge upon teacher
y, the Importance of using these valuable additions the
II educational apparatus in such TO make the
brary both in the Intellectual and moral agencies,
n efficient ally Of the school.
I, Resolved, That earnestly and cordially favor III
l. town system OF schools, and hereby pledge
ehorts 10 secure Its adoption throughout the bot
u Immediate vicinity vote upon the question at
" March meeting.
Is Resoped, That we pledge untrng efforts in fave
OF temperance instruction In schools and urge textboo
"a committees 10 walt I'LL spring before adopting
book on the subject In order that suitable selecto
< may be made
ReSoped That the thanks this association are hereb
extended 10 the railroad companies for their
n POROUS Efforts for the this meeting TO Il
speakers ana workers from out of the state
a, people OF Montpelier for the use of their ace hall
III. BUCKHAM,
A. fao