Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-03

DOOkS anu OcnOOlS. Irlnclpal COnant
of the Randolph normal school made an
address on "The Need of More Teachers
associations in Vermont" and Principal
butcher of the Brandon school gave
some sound views on the topic american
Studies for Americans" He said: 1--WE
have in our schools too little of the study
of America and American ideas and insti-
tutions. Scholars go out from our schools
to become citizens and take part in the
management of our affairs, who are but
little better versed in Americanism than
their neighbors, who came from foreign
shores, and who are able to accomplish
more by their false logic in overthrowing
law and order than our American citizen
can counteract by any other means than
the extreme power and force of law"
The best study for Americans is Ameri-
can history, in Mr.. butchers opinion.
Thursday evening Prof. Wager gave
his address, postponed from the previous
evening. An abstract of it appeared in
these columns last week. After the ses-
tertained the members of the association
at their home.
Saturday morning officers were elected
as follows: President, E. A. Bishop of
Montpelier; vice-presidents, II. o. Whee-
Ter of Burlington, Ezra Branerd of Mid
dlebury, E. L. Temple of Rutland, c. II.
Merrill of Brattleboro, Z. n. Howe of
Bennington, NJ. o. Perkins of Windsor,
Edward Conant of Randolph, G. w.
Henderson of Craftsbury, c. II. Bunker of
Peacham, F. f. Parin of Bakersfield, A.
ii. Campbell of Johnson, c. C.. Brill of
Northfield, w. n. Phelps of South Hero,
S. NJ. Jenne of Island Pond; executive
committee, w. II. Sanderson of Wood
stock, j. A. DeBoer of Montpelier, E. II.
butcher of Brandon; secretary, L. B.
Folsom, Rutland treasurer. II. O. Whee-
Ter, Burlington: correspondent of Jour
nal of Education, f. Ii. butcher, Bran
don.
Miss Barker of the st. Adams school
read paper on ''Fiction." She didn't
believe in the harmfulness of fiction, pro-
vided, of course, that it was the right
kind of fiction, and thought reading of
this character led to a better understand
ing of human nature. The last address
was by Principal DeBoer of Montpelier,
who said, among other things: The mis-
sion of the public school was to teach
and inculcate habits of sound morality {;
to inspire love of country, teach respect
for, and observance of her laws and be-
quests, and advance the physical growth
of our children; to make them thought
full, active, useful and wise, and to prac-
tice them in the study and application of
such truth as will tend to enhance their
power for commercial, industrial and
professional activities. The claims which
the children have upon the State are Just
and unavoidable. The State in all things
must aim to perfect its undertakings for
the people. If it enters upon public in
struction it should in justice as far as
practicable provide. first, healthful, pleas
ant surroundings; second, systematic
physical development for the schools
third, an efficient teaching force; fourth
such training as will result in art and
science. Public instruction should in.
clude for results the following: First
education resulting in conscious recog-
milton of God; second, well grounded
knowledge of the duties of citizenship
and respect of law and order and love OF
country; third, recognition of the nobil.
ity and value of honest activity in what
ever form, and the ability to become q
useful factor in our commercial, social
political and moral economy.