The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-10-15
Hearing Before the Committee
on Education.

An interesting hearing before the COM
mittee on education occurred Monday even
ing. Members from Franklin and Grand
Isle counties were invited in especially, but
a large number of others were present.
The majority of those called upon to testify
were opposed to the law as it now stands.
The chief objection was against county
supervision. 1t was stated that in one in
stance the supervisor had paid but one visit
during four terms or school. Among other
objections were the disadvantage and in
convenience to teachers in taking the ex-
aminations; many teachers refrained from
taking the examination because of its sup
posed or real severity, and increased taxes,
resulting from higher wages.
The last part of the hearing was taken up
by those who advocate the present law
or the town system, and their number was
not few Mr.. Smith of st. Adams and
Mr.. Merrill of Enosburg took substantially
the same ground They believed the prin-
ciples underlying the present law were
sound and had business basis. Vermont
now has the best system of school govern
nent she ever had. Mr.. Smith said he had
made a careful study of the law and the SUI
perintendents report the result of which
had made him thorough convert to the
law as it now stands. The idea of unity
and method shown in the law was founded
on good business principles. The fact that
certain details of the law were defective
pies embodied therein. A new departure
in educational matters, as in every other
matter, must of necessity be attended by
some friction, and it is not surprising if it
is not more than half successful at first.
Mr.. Merrill believed the idea of equaliz-
ing taxes just and equitable he called at
tention to the fact that county supervision
cost the state about $4,000 year, and town
superintendent were previously paid about
$4,000. Thus it appeared that the differ
ence, $1,000, was not great burden when
borne by the whole state
Mr.. Byington of Charlotte said that So, 900
additional expense meant about $3.50 for
each of the fourteen counties, and when we
come to reckon the expense to each district
and taxpayer it is insignificant. He said
the gist of the whole opposition was the too
jealous care for the pocket-book. The more
he saw of the objections raised and the rea-
sons for them, the stronger advocate he be-
came of the present law.
Mr.. Tudhope of South Hero said his peo-
pie found no fault with supervision. The
only matter they were dissatisfied with
was the constant change of textbooks.
Senator Dow and Mr. Peck spoke most
enthusiastically of the workings of the town
system in Hinesburgh. The state was
prejudiced and had braced itself against
this system for the last fifteen years. They
were confident if any town would give the
system fair trial, it would never go back
to the old district system. Senator Brown
and Mr.. Harlow of Springfield also spoke
strongly in favor of the town system. Their
town had had the system but a short time
when, owing to an act enabling towns to re-
turn to the district system after a two years
trial, they went back. If vote were tax en-
now in the matter, the town system would
be carried by tremendous majority.