Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-03-21
Progressive.

Allusion was made last week to the fact
that at the late March meeting Randolph
adopted the town system Of schools, and
after ten years trial Middletown re-
adopted the system by vote OF more than
four TO one. Later reports are to the effect
that Charleston and Hubbardton have also
adopted the system and that others like
Windsor, Ryegate, Williamstown, Fair
Haven, have appointed commissioners to
consider the question. The agitation Of the
subject is bearing fruit. This appears not
only In the fact that new towns are con.
verted, that others are enquiring the way,
and old converts are resfiirming by over.
whelming majorities or substantially unani-
nous votes a choice originally reached
through much tribulation and by bare MAORI
ties, but the friends of the system are also get
ting at some Of the reasons why it is claimed
II should not succeed. "The change would
put dangerous power into the hands of
committee and only lead TO Babel of con-
fusion" is given in the county paper in
adopt the system, as the reason for its re-
lection. The fact that this treason is only
q broad assertion, so broad that it was doubt
less deemed capable of standing alone seems
to be no objection with the maker to its
validity. II is nothing against this treason "
with those who are influenced by it that it
flies in the face of common sense and ex
perience; that it is disproved by the result
in Middetown, in Rutland county, referred
to above that it is refuted by the action of
Waitsfeld which has twice, with majorities
approaching unanimity, reafiirmed its pref
erence for system originally adopted by
narrow majority, and which has made it fa-
nous in Washington county for the excel
lence of its schools or that it is utterly
exploded by the example Of Brighton in
Essex county, town in which the schools
have increased in membership, in regularity
of attendance and in efficiency, and in which
30 great Babel of confusion was created
among the original opponents that at the
end of five years trial, in an unusually full
meeting, there were only two very faint votes
against the readoption of the system. These
things and many more which might be cited
as to the practical working of the system in
the towns which have adopted it are matters
of record. Massachusetts,, after many years
of trial, by legislative enactment year ago
made the system the law of the state. The
lam Ill tba oh ,,,a o1
in the hands Of three or six men elected by
the legal voters, their powers and duties as
clearly defined as those of the selectmen.
If it is safe for three men, under the laws
TO administer the varied affairs of the town,
where is the consistency in saying that it is
dangerous to put the care of the schools
into the hands of three or six of the best
men Of a town whose powers are defined and
limited by law? And is Babel of con-
fusion more likely TO come out Of the &C.
ton of three Or six good men working to-
gether than from score, more or less, of
men acting separately Every reason that
is urged against the town system of schools
holds with equal force against the town sys-
tenn of managing its other affairs and all are
equally false and absurd, either mere buga.
boos in the hands of designing men to
frighten timid voters or the result of a
wrong understanding of the system or the
outgrowth of selfish interest or deep,seated
prejudice. Friends of better schools in every
town can do much to hasten the day of the
adoption of the better system by judicious
and rAroiOtnnt advocacy Of ito naorits and
exposition of its practical workings where it
has been fairly tried.