The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-10-02
Uniformity in Text. Books.

A conference of delegates from the various
county boards of education of the state was
held Wednesday in the courthouse at Mont
pelier There were about thirty-fve gentle
men present. The object of the conference
was to consider the subject of state uniform
suits reached were apparently very salts
factory to the entire gathering. Professor
j. S. Cilley of Jericho called the meeting to
order. Rev. w. II. Davenport of Water
bury was elected chairman and Rev. T..
j. Ranslow of Swanton secretary. Consid-
cradle time was occupied in calling the roll
of delegates This finished, a motion was
made by Rev. w. S. Hazen of Mortified
that it be the sense of the conference that
state uniformity in textbooks is desirable
Then followed a discussion that continued
through the forenoon, and in the afternoon
the same general topic was freely talked
over. The sentiment of the meeting on the
matter of textbooks was practically unani-
nous, and was this: That state uniformity
is on the whole desirabe; that it is inn
practicable, probably, as a complete system;
that it can be secured in some textbooks,
especially arithmetics; that whatever is done
must be done voluntarily by the county
boards; that the conference could act only
in an advisory capacity. AT the close of the
morning session the motion of Mr.. Hazen
was referred to a committee on resolutions,
consisting of Messrs A. E. Leavenworth, II.
ID. Ryder and Alpha Messer. When the
afternoon session opened the committee on
resolutions reported, as follows:
"ReSolued, That it is the sense of this con-
ference that, in the selection Of textbooks,
it is the first duty of the several county
boards of education to consider the needs
and interests of their respective counties.
" Resolued, That it is the further opinion
OF this conference that state uniformity, in
whole or in part, is desirable, so far as it can
be secured without prejudice to the afore-
said needs and interests.
" ReSOlUed, That committee, consisting OF
one from each county, be appointed to con-
slider the matter of textbooks and make
such suggestions to the different county
boards of education as it may deem add
visable
" Resolved, That it is the sense of this con.
ference that the best interests of the schools
of the state require that free textbooks
should be furnished by the towns"
In the discussion which followed large
number OF those present spoke, including
State Superintendent Palmer and President
Brainard of Mddlebury College. The reso.
lutions were adopted separately. A recess
of five minutes was taken to allow the
county delegations to nominate members OF
the committee After the recess the follow
ing were appointed: Addison county, Ezra
Brainard of Middlebury; Bennington, f
W. Howe of North Bennington; Caledonia,
w. H. Taylor of Hardwick; Chittenden, j.
s. Cilley of Jericho; Essex. j. Andrews OF
Island Pond; Franklin, II. d. Wheeler OF
Berkshire; Grand Isle, II. W. Marvin Of AL
burgh; Lamoille, George wilkins of Stowe
Orange, j. n. Mallory of Thetford; Orleans
M. S. Stone Of Westfield; Rutland, a. Il
Leavenworth of Castleton; Washington
Rev w. S. Hazen of Mortified; Windham
e. w. Stoddard of Brattleboro; Windsor
Alpha Messer of Rochester. The county
boards were authorized to fill vacancies, anC
President Brainard was elected chairman
Of the committee, after which the conference
| adjourned