Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-01-29
EDUCATIONAL MEETING.

On Thursday last, pursuant to no.
tice, the teachers, superintendent
and others from this and surrounding
towns, met at the academy and
spent the day very proftably in the
discussion of topics assigned by the
programme. Between thirty and
forty teachers, several superintend-
ents and many Others interested in
educational matters were present.
The meeting was organized by the
appointment of F. F. Whittier, prin-
cipal of Derby academy, chairman !;
Arthur Jameson, of Irasburgh, sec
rotary. The forenoon was proftably
spent in discussing PRIMARY teach
ing, and the best methods of teaching
reading and geography" Mr.. Dart,
state superintendent, and Mr.. Emer-
son. of Underhill, detained by late
freight train, arrived about IL o'clock
and joined in the discussions.
Previous to the opening afternoon
session, the teachers met in an adj
joining room and debated the pro-
priety of forming a County Educa-
tional Association. 1t was decided
to form such an organization, and
Mr.. Thomas Martin, of Barton, Miss
L. Kinney, of Craftsbury, w. F.
Clark, of Glover, Geo. II. Blake, of
Barton, and J. H. Gains, Troy, were
appointed committee to draft a con-
stitution, and prepare a programme
for meeting soon to be held, when
the organization shall be completed.
The afternoon session proved a
spirited and interesting one, in which
large number took part. Mr..
Emerson enlivened the discussions by
some very practical and witty re-
marks. Supt. Dart spoke with
much dignity and wisdom on several
topics.
The evening session was devoted
to addresses by Mr.. Emerson and
Mr.. Dart. Mr.. Emerson favored a
practical and scientific education,
which should teach children those
things which enter into the business
of life first, and then such further
education in other directions as might
be obtained. His address was full OF
bristling points, which nothing but
a verbatim report can do justice to-
Mr.. Dart spoke of the honorable po-
sition held by Vermont among hel
sisters states the achievements of hel
sons, and excellent record she has
made for herself in the various yoca
tions and professions of life. HI
spoke of her common schools, no
common in regard to their character
but open and free to all, and thu
much that should be expected from
them. He regretted to say, tina
with all their excellence there wer,
some things in regard to them tina
should be changed for the better
He referred to the fact that with al
our facilities for an education, Their
were several thousand illiterate per
sons in the state, and that only
little more than half of our schoo
, population are habitual attendant
at the schools. He spoke of som
poor school houses, of the paupe
school districts, where the list di
not make it possible to expend sui
ficient money for good schools; Q
t the niggardly districts where the ms
jority would not vote sufficient none
: for respectable schools; of the pei
: nicious practice of hiring inexper
enced and inefficient teachers; h
| made reference to the commo
5 practice, both on the part of teacher
! and of parents of putting childre
forward into advanced branches bt
/ fore they had thoroughly mastere
e the lower ones; of the lack of intel
< est on the part of parents in regar
S to the character of teaching an
3 many other pertinent matters whie
/, we have not space to report. HI
e remarks were very timely and sens
S BILE and ought to have been produ'
s tive of much good.
a Messrs. Dart and Emerson wei
to Craftsbury on Friday, where
+ similar meeting was held.
? The Congregdtionalist has presented !
u with a very fine calendar for 1888 #
\, xuhich NJ, aIya dino lad urnanfS