Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-02-18
Written for the Spirit OF the Ago.
The Town System of Public Schools
SHALL IT BE ADOPTED?

The first question to be answered,
what is that system, how does it differ
from the present one, and where is the
advantage of the town oyer the present
one? The town system is that every
district shall relinquish all authority,
ownership, management, or counsel, to
three wise men, chosen at our town
meeting, to change the limits OF the
districts, repair, or build new houses,
provide such furniture, maps, books
and everything pertaining to the
schools, and send such teachers into
the districts as they see fit. We are
allowed the privilege to inquire into
their moral or religious standing, but
commanded to step up to the collector
and pay for all these, three wise men
have ordered to be done in each dis
trict. Who made, this important dis
covcry that such bcnighted ignorance
prevails among the people in the out
skirts of the town? A prophetic, as
piring young man is giving his time,
means and stength in disseminating
these views. lie very earnestly SETS
forth the doctrine that farmers ana
laborcrs are too ignorant to see their
children well cared for in their school
ing. Such bcnevolencc and sympathy
are not often met with. We question
not his sincerity, or honesty, but the
theory Of an Improvement on our pres
cnt system of schools. is not luminous
to the ignorant masses in our districts
and if his argument is correct we OF
course cannot discern it with out bat
ewes and weak understandings.
Such system separates us entirely
from the education Of our children
1t is the same doctrine that the Federal
lists advanced when Thomas Jefferson
was nominated tor the Presidency
He believed, like, Lincoln, that the
pcouIe could and should be trusted,
and we still have faith that sound,
DracticM men are found among the
farmers and mechanics they lack the
Gift of Cab that professional men ha'e'
but in sound thinking and judlcloll5
management, they are not eXceIled'--
Other safety guards are to be shared
by these superior wIscacpes' The DIS
trict cannot have prayer meetings.
sociablcs, dances, nor debating clubs,
without the consent of these masters OF
wisdom. If the town sytcm Is adopted
no release from il for five years, and IN
the time we bankrupt ourselves IN
school matters and other rights.
Let MS recall our past and present
school system. when 'men OF great
practical ability received their educa-
ton. George Washington, Franklin,
jackson, Garrison, Greeley, Lincoln,
Garfield, Poland, Edmunds, Morrill,,
had not college advantages, nor has
the town system the credit Tor their
superiority. Our district are miniature
REPUBLICS like our State, and [. -.
government, and in all our meetings
we choose the officers, keep the records,
and make the reports to the State !;
collect the taxes, and in this way, get
a little knowledge CT doing business in
a proper manner. rhe officers charge
nothing for services, and when any
trouble arises with teacher, scholar, or
member of the district, school meet
ing is called at ONE, grievances heard,
and discussed by all, and if the teacher
is incapable, he is busted at once. and
another takes his place, without the
advice of Superintendent or any other
power outside of the district. The
Superintendent office is an obstruc-
ton, a sinacure, bore. lie travels
to each district twice II year, OstcnslbIv
to see the condition of the school
house. scholars, and teacher. They
are informed when lie will be there,
and instructed to show their best be-
havior. He has no power to turn out
a teacher or decide upon questions OF
grievances, but makes out long,
formal report upon the past year, and
the voters have to be bored an hour,
to learn what has been done the past
year; the past aggravations cant be
changed, and | have noticed many
leave the meeting while the report was
being read. The income from this
Office is a snug little sum, aud Is sought
for by many. 1t is sinecure and
ought be abolished.
NATH'L RANDALL, M. ID.
So. Woodstock, Feb. 8, 80.
ALL SORTS.
There was n $50 600 fire at Jack