The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-01-26

Snow has niece VINO VIII be ready LOT
teaching next year. So Smith says to
Snow, II you will nominate me for
committee this year I'll do you the turn
next year. There are ten all told at
school meeting, unless it is stormy
evening, when only six will go out
And the one first nominated is always
elected. Now those who have watched
the schools closely know that a young
teacher ought not to begin to teach at
home. 1t is not for her good or for the
good OF the school. Yet it is very com
mon practice in Vermont. 1t is said
that the teachers are agreed upon for
several years to come, in some districts,
upon this very plan. All these things
will be likely to be improved under a
system which has for the town three
chosen men or women, who are to be
made responsible for all the schools
They will be interested for the good of
the schools and can adopt and carry out
plans for their advantage. Every town
has some retired teacher, or some edu-
Gated man, or some intelligent, public
spirited business man, or farmer in easy
circumstances, who for three years can
and will do this business better than the
many chosen under our present system
can and do accomplish it; and as a rule
such will be the directors chosen by
most of our towns.
But the other argument is the one on
which are farmers are as well posted as
they ought to be. The testimony of the
majority Of the towns in Vermont, that
have tried the town system is, that il
does not increase the cost Of the schools.
With this agrees the almost universal
testimony of other states. When differ
ent states have, like Massachusetts, and
New Hampshire, adopted this plan by
law, the tax has been fixed at fair
average of the cost under the old sys-
tenn. The law last proposed in Yer
mont was, perhaps obJectional, in that
it fixed the amount of tax to be raised,
so definitely that it gave no chance for
relief by such extraordinary circum
stances as an income from a Hunting
ton fund, or by the establishment in any
town of dog kennel, whose license
tax should double the towns school tax
ct ais. The average tax in towns bav-
ing the district system is higher than
the required twenty five per cent of the
law. But it did propose farer divis
ion of the burden of the school tax.
Here is where the shoe pinches. do
not hesitate to say that, so far as l am
able to judge, the law was defeated in
town meetings, because of the opposi-
ton of those who do not pay their share
of that tax, are not yet sufficiently in
formed on the question, to add their
votes to those who, for these two rea
sons. favor this law, and so adopt the
new system. In some towns at any rate
and believe in many of them, the de-
feat OF the law is owing to the farmers
indifference, and the opposition of men
of property who are not paying their
share of the school tax. AS a rule in.
Vermont, the central or village district
has the largest grand list. There you
will find the retired merchants, lawyers,
and farmers; and there you will find the
best and largest schools, supported by
less taxes than in other school districts
for this. The town grand list is larger,
its number of scholars being gr, alter, the
schools receive more public money and
because af its better schools. they re-
ceive aid by tuition of scholars from
other districts.
/ selected two school registers from a
town which think may be called fair
of Vermont farming
towns. Look at District No. /. 1t has
long terms of school, with large daily
1t costs for the year $3.50
per scholar, or an average of / 2 cents
for each days attendance Its district
tax was seven per cent. Now take the
register for No. 11-chosen at random.
with no knowledge as to its location. 1t
has short terms OF school and but few
scholars. 1t cos ts 81 As per scholar, or
an average Of 10 cents per days attend
ance.' The district tax was eleven per
cent. Now venture to go beyond the
register, and add the assertion that it is
probable that the residents of No. II are
less able to pay tax than those OF No.
1 are, 1t is also probable that at least
one scholar from No.11 attends the win
ter school of No. 1, for which the schol
ar's parents pay into the treasury Of No.
1, for tuition, double the tax which a
parent resident in No, pays for the
year. Yes, will venture little far
ther. 1t is probable that in No. II there
is one man whose tuition paid No. and
his own No. II tax added together. made
considerably more than twenty five per
cent on his grand list, yet at the last
town meeting he voted against the town
system because Friend Jones of No.
it on the ground Of its required
high tax, But try another register
1t proves to be No. 6. Now, concerning
this district have made some inquiries.
and these are the facts: a. No. 6. &C.
cordIng to the register, raised twelve
per cent tax, and No. only seven, re-.
member. (2.) One-fourth of all the pub.
lie money to which No. was entitled
was paid into the treasury of No. 1. 81
One ninth of all the expenses of the
higher grade Of the school OF No. was
paid by the tuition and public money
which came from No. 9. az One of
the parents of one of those tuition schol
ars from No. 0, was outspoken in his op
position to the town system, because Of
its expense and that man was leading
farmer in No. G.
Now this investigation was made not
for this paper. 1t was undertaken with
prejudice against the town system,
which has been completely conquered
by the facts ascertained The writer he.
gan this study in order to be Informed
for opposition to the town system in q
public discussion of the question. Let
others try it and see ifthey don't come
to the same conclusions. II figures tell
the truth. it is not for the financial in
terest of our No. districts to change to
the town system. But it Is as plainly