Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-03-19

To-day we are again called upon to vote yes
or no on the town system, system whose adj
vocates include many of the best educators OF
the State, and 1t is subject of so much I'M
portance that II deserves to be treated with
candor and consideration. The town system
equalizes taxation, and there is no doubt but
what we, if we should give it Il fair trial, would
continue to have good schools under this sys
TEN. Would they be better They would
cost more. For the past five years the aver
age cost of the schools in this town has been
little less than $4,000 year Adopt the
town system to-day and TIVE must vote tax
including public money of not less than % per
cent of the grand list, or in round numbers
$4,000, that is, 1000 year more than the
usual cost; and if we adopt this system to-
day, it must be in use for the next i've years.
Hence for the next five years our schools
would cost $4,000 more than under the present
system, and this in year of retrenchmcnt
and reform. do not see how three commits
sioners could get any better teachers than the
ten committees now do; for they get the best
or intend to. The town system does central
ize power, and if there is anything dear to us
here in Vermont it is this, that those who pay
the taxes should control the expenses. But
under whatever system we work, there need
be no fears but what this town will faithfully
discharge its great duty of giving a good
practical business education to the 3j1 pupils
attending its public schools.
am glad to report that our schools have
been quite satisfactory the past year. with
larger attendance and better results than for
many previous years One school-house has
been so thoroughly repaired that it is us good
rs new, costing nearly $500, and the district
Il.
ent. wish to speak "A word about the schools
in the village. Mr.. +. ID. GriswOld has been
committee for three years, and l doubt if
there has been n school in the State under bet
ter subsection or more careful and persistent
supervision. In closing, ! have three sug-
gestions to make. First, the importance of
electing competent district clerks ut our an
nual school meetings, who know their duties
and perform Them among which duties may
be rec<oned not only keeping correct rec.
ord, but returning the registers in due season.
second, Arbor day. notice that many of
our school houses have scarcely Il shade tree
on the premises. This is not right. | now re
meeting to make some arrangements to suit
ably observe Arbor day by setting out few
of our beautiful cms and naples that will
some time afford grateful shade to the little
ones on summers day.
Third, and last, Physiology and Hygiene,
with special reference to alcoholic drinks and
narcotics. This is now one of the most i'm
portant and useful studies taught in our
schools, and copy of this textbook ought to
be in every house in this town and every pu-
pill advanced enough to read should study it,
rs required by law. For one, | have more
faith in this textbook in the hands of the
| II $50 pupils of Vermont rs Il means of reform
than in the prohibitory law, and il is but just
tor us as town and as II State to express oul
profound gratitude to the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union, who originated and did sc
much to place on our statute book this wise
and bencficcnt law, n law that will soon be in
power in every State in the Union.