The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-02-27

the governor OF Vermont ought to be chosen
not with reference to the probabilities, but
the possibilities, of the office; that the office
should be filled by one Of our most con-
sricuous citizens In business law or poll
tics. 1t Is nobody's turn to be governor;
nobody has claim or mortgage on the Office
The conspicuous capacity and reputation OF the
man ought to be his only credentials, and 1t
WAS this reactionary feeling against mediocrity
that prompted the naming Of Bhnpgs. II Mr..
Billings letter is final, very we'll; but whether
tbs final or not, is no good reason why Vermont
should not have conspicuous citizen for gov
ernor. Lieutenant governor Pngree Is not In
age experience and accomplishment the equal
Of Billings, or several others we could name in
the field OF law, business or politics; nor do we
think DIR. Nichols has any claim to be con-
sidered, by political knowledge service, speech
or capacity, in the first rank of Vermonts
public men. Vermont can do better, and why
not do better man has no more claim I"
or turn to be elected governor than he has
to be elected bank president or church deacon.
Give us the best. PiDgree is immeasurably
above Nichols in ability, knowledge and cour-
ageous independence Of character, but is he our
best? Yours truly, FREE LANCE.
THE TOWN SYSTEM OF SCHOOLS.
Mr.. Editor IL noticed that at their annual
meeting, last fall, the teachers Of the state
passed the following resolution We earnestly
and cordially favor the town system OF schools,
and hereby pledge our hearty efforts to secure
its adoption throughout the state, both by per-
sonal work and by insisting that the towns in
our immediate vicinity vote upon the question
at the next March meeting" The time is near
at hand when the voters of the state will have
an opportunity of adopting a system Of schools
far in advance OF the old district system. The
friends of good schools should bestir them
selves and see that this question is thoroughly
understood; that the people are enlightened on
| the subject that an article for the abolition of
the district and adoption OF the town system
be placed in the warning for town meeting, and
| that at the meeting the question receive a fair
| consideration and vote. In this way large
number of towns may he induced to make
change for the better; and If, in any town. the
| measure is defeated this year, let no one be
| discouraged. The agitation of the subject will
help toward a full understanding of it, and this
is all that is necessary to its final adoption.
| From long and careful study of the subject,
from personal knowledge Of its workings in
many towns and correspondence in regard to 1t
| in other towns, am convinced that, given
| fair trial, the town system in every particular
is superior to the district system OF schools.
| Among the arguments that may be given in
its favor are the following: First, equalization
| of taxation is obtained. The people of the
| town are taxed alike for state, county, town
and highway expenses, and there is no good
reason why the same rule should not apply to
| schools. This, however, is the very point Of
opposition with many Second, better teachers
are employed. A board of three or six capable
men will not be as likely to employ incompe-
tent teachers on the strength of relationship,
favoritism, or cheapness, as the average COM
| mttee-man. In a great majority of cases
under the district system, unless relationship
has settled the question, the committee en-
| ploys the first applicant, providing her appear
ance and price satisfy, not giving one-quarter
| the attention to qualifications and past success
that he does in engaging hired man or house
keeper. Third, less frequent change in the
choice of prudential committee is ensured. II
there is any one thing that tends to weaken
our school system, and foster incompetency, it
is the regular rotation in the office of commit
tee. A good officer is worth double to the
town in his second years service. Under the
town system, the committee hold office three
years, one-thrd being elected each year.
Fourth, better supervision naturally follows.
The committee, understanding that much re-
sponsibility rests upon them, that they are ac-
countabe to many people deeply interested in
good schools, that they are closely watched
and critically Judged will naturally exert
themselves to make success OF the schools in
their charge The school-houses will be kept
in better repair, more and better apparatus
provided, more weeks OF school allowed, good
teachers retained and poor ones discarded. One
great lack in the Vermont school system is proper
supervisor. Fifth, the superintendent is in fact,
as well as in name at the head OF the school sys-
TEN of the town. He understands the peculiar
needs OF each community in town; he knows
who are the successful teachers, where their
strength lies, and so can tell which teacher will
best serve in each school. Under the old rule,
whatever his judgment, he has no power to
act, In the proposed system, he has direct
voice in the selection of the teachers. Sixth,
an opportunity of establishing urse of study
for the schools Of the town, and thus unifying
the work, is allowed This will bring about a
great gain, there will be less of the hap-hazard
way of doing things. Teachers meetings can
be maintained, and in many ways the schools
placed on a higher level. Seventh, district
quarrels will not exist There will be no cause
for them, as the school and school property will
be out of the immediate control of the district
Neighborhood peace will thus be promoted, and
the cause of many feuds removed. Eighth,
with but very few exceptions, all OF our leading
educators and scholars are heartily in favor OF
, the town system. They have studied the ques
tion in various lights, have seen both systems
in actual operation. and know whereof they
affirm. Ninth, towns and states having thor
oughly tested both systems, are very decided il
, their support OF the town system. No town il
, this state having tried the town system iol
: five years, has voted to return to the district
a system. After ten years trial in Hinesburgh
Glastonbury and Woodford, no vote was called
for; while in Waits field the town system wa.
sustained by vote Of one hundred and ten Il
. ferty-one. After a five years trial in Brighton
, a town Of over sixteen hundred inhabitants
: only two persons voted against the town system
. In Mddetown, last spring, the town system
4
, two. A few words as TO what the town system
, does not mean: First, it does not necessarily
, mean consolidation. In the history of its work
ings in this state, as many towns have increased
the number of schools as have decreased. Sec
ond, 1t does not mean an Increased burden OF
taxation. The nine per cent state school tax II
saved, which, II added to the average schoo
tax raised under the district system, will be
a found in most cases to equal IL not exceed the
, tax under the town system. Third, 1t does mo-
4 mean taking the schools out of the hands o
the people. and the mixing of school interest,
a with politics. AS 80 few can be elected schoo
! directors, the people will be likely to use grea
care in the selection of these officers. Now
Mr.. Editor, let this question be thoroughly
, understood by the people, by all who are inter
Z ested in good schools, and am sure that many
, towns would at once make a change for tn,
Z better. Indifference, prejudice, and Ignorance
, must of necessity give way to enlightened con
sideration. Those towns that earliest adop
this system will get the most benefit out of tn,
, improved management. L. L,
4 WANTS A LARGER AND BETTER MAN.
; Mr.. Editor In 1882 there were many
: voters through the state that were determined
. to bolt all nominations that gave some body hi
= "turn," II that somebody was not wel-tittet
for the position to which he was nominated
believe those ready to vote an independen
, , ticket in 1882 are now ready to vote TO
!, Governor Barstow's reelection, or for som
larger, better man than Pingree or Nichols.
INDEPENDENT.