Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-02-27

MR.. DART ON THE TOWN SYSTEM.
This town was favored with visit last
week from Hon. Justus Dart, our state SUI
pcrntendent of education, who lectured on
Wednesday evening at Whithed's hall upon
matters relative to our common schools, and
particularly upon the benefits to be derived
from the adoption of the town system. AL
though very cold and bad travelling, our PEG.
pie turned out in good numbers, thus show
ing that they felt an interest in this most i'm
portant subject, and all felt well paid for
their trouble. Mr.. Dart illustrated the de-
fects of our present system and demonstrated
the efficiency of the town system as RENE
dy for some of these defects. As the great
est evil of our district system he mentioned
the inequality of school privileges and next,
unequal taxation. These would both be ad-
justed by the town system. This being true,
we find the greatest opposition comes from
the more wealthy and populous districts on
account of a selfish dread Of an increase of
taxation. Some have a feeling that their
school tax is a kind OF gratuity which the
law oompels them to bestow upon the chill
dren of others Mr. Dartt said we but dis
charge a Just debt in cheerfully bearing our
full share of expense in the education Of the
young. Having received our education and
all that we have from those who preceded us,
we must transmit the gift to those who shall
come after US. We ought to desire the stand
ard of manhood and womanhood to be as
high in those who are to succeed us as we
can make it. NIL R.
DEATH OF MANsEL II. ROOT, FORMER VERNON
RESIDENT.
The Daily Register-Csll of Central City,
Colo, of Jan. 27, has a notice of the late
Mausel H. Root, whose death is elsewhere
recorded,ot which we copy the main portion :
The cause Of Mr.. Roots death was a fall from q
wagon, through an accident, Jan. 20. He was
prominently known one OF the early pioneers Of
this county, whose subsequent career Of ac-
yly in assisting the development Of the mineral re-
sources Of the county, but was chiefly known as a
contractor, having been one Of the most efficient
building contractors Of the state. As such he ha
heeu engaged for about IS years upon public and pr-
vate contracts of various kinds, mill buildings aud
factories. He was born in STAFFORD, Aug. 49, 1873.
Before going west be was engaged in the construc-
tion OF various Incorporated improvements in the
state Of Massachusetts,. In the spring OF 1885 he
moved to Westheld, Iowa. where he erected the
Northern Iowa University, and various other public
aud private buildings. In the spring of 1850 he
crossed the plains to what was known the pixies
Peak country and engaged in contracts for strip
ping placer mines and for building wagon roads, and
was also employed as mining superintendent. In
the fall Of 1862 be returned to Iowa and engaged In
agricultural pursuits, returning to Colorado in the
spring of 1864, since which time he has been resi-
dent Of Central City and has erected number Of the
principal buildings in the city, his operations extend
ing to Denver Tue past ten years, however, he has
devoted his attention principally to agriculture and
mining on large scale. He was a prominent odd
Fellow, Free Mason and Good Tempar. He leaves q
wife, two sons and daughter.
Elder j. Hemenwsy will preach in the
chapel next Sunday at 1890 A. NJ. and 1880
P NJ. Subject in the afternoon, Evolution
in the Light of Science and the Scriptures. u
Illustrated by diagram.
The ladies' circle will meet with Mrs.
Marshall Lee next Wednesday afternoon, and
adjourn to Whithed's hall in the evening.
The school in district No. Z, taught by
Julia H. Tyler, closed Friday P. M, 18th.
Whole number of scholars, II. Neither alb
sent or tArdy: Gertrude w Brown, Herman A.
Brown, Francis and Everett Powers, Leslie
II. Streeter, Lewis T. Fairman and Herbert
Fairman. The same teacher taught both
terms of the year and good progress was
made,