The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-11-11

past year the American flag had been raised
over a majority of the school-houses in the
state. He spoke OF the agitation year ago
in regard to getting assistance from the
legislature and the futility Of the effort, but
hoped it would bear fruit some day. The
new school law is too great an advance; 1t
is on too high plane for the people OF the
state to appreciate. The most valuable
feature of the old law, however, has been
retained-the county examination of teach
ers. When Vermont schools are compared
with those Of other states 1t is by systems,
and Vermont suffers in the comparison.
| But the individual standard of pupils who
have gone out of the state in the past fifty
| years has been as high in college examina-
tions as the standard of those from other
| states
Professor j. B. Ham of Lyndon Center
presented paper on " Natural History"
| The most common intellectual weakness is
deficiency Of judgment. The constant habit
| of drawing conclusions from data and then
verifying these conclusions by observation
and experiment can alone give the power of
| forming correct judgments-a habit the for
nation of which may be derived from the
| study of natural history.
Professor G. @. Brill of Norwich Univer-
sity spoke of :" The Study of Chemistry and
What it Should Effect" After showing
| the wide application of chemistry, and the
dependence of art, medicine, science and
manufactures upon 1t, he considered its
study as mental discipline, showing that
it is especially helpful to the student in Gull
tivating his powers of observation and rea-
soning. The textbook should not be too
much depended upon, but questions should
| be asked of nature-that is, experiments
| should be performed. In our public schools
| the chemistry of familiar things should be
taught; less abstruse theories for those who
| can take but short course, and more that
has practical value. Mr.. Brill illustrated
his remarks by extensive blackboard exer-
cises in chemistry. What should make
up the typical high school course?" was a
discussion participated in by Professor A.
Ferrin of Manchester, Principal G.. w.
Kennedy of Fair Haven, Superintendent G..
S. Davis of Bennington, and others.
In the primary section, literary exercises
were also going on. Miss Mary s. Putnam
of Randolph read paper on Primary
Grammar Schools was considered by Miss
Evelyn Fuller of Woodstock " Language
in Primary Schools" was a paper by Miss
Eva NJ. Woodward of Bellows Falls, and
1.-THE Relation of kindergarten to School,"
In the afternoon Principal f. X. Graves
of Swanton gave talk on Purpose in
Education" Upon the work of the teach
ers of to-day depends the future welfare of
this nation. The true purpose of education
is to start children on the right path in life
How people spend money in building costly
private homes and public edifcesl II the
builder, whose work lasts but few years.
selects his material, makes his plans with
| such care, how much more careful should
we builders be who lay the foundations of
structures lasting forever. What are the
Qualifications to Teach?" was discussed by
Principal Edward Conant of Randolph, and
Professor G. B. Wright of Middlebury spoke
of " A Literary Need of the Public Schools. !"
English in the School System " was the
subject of a paper by Principal G. r. Pink
ham of Woodstock. He discussed language
in primary school, language in intermediate
school, language and English in grammar
school, and English in the high school,
comprising composition and literature.
Miss Elizabeth Morrison of Burlington read
a paper on " A Bad Legacy"
Blanchard Opera-house was well filled in
the evening by teachers and residents of
Montpelier, who listened with instruction
and pleasure to Hon. A. S. Draper of AL
bany, state superintendent of education for
New York. President Ranger presided,
and on the stage with him were the orator
of the evening and Principal r. j. Newton
of Sherbrooke. Z. Q. Principal Hew ton ex-
tended to the teachers of the Green Noun
tain state the congratulations of the teach
ers of Quebec and greetings from the land
of the beaver and maple. Although we la
Dor under two flags we are one in thought
and purpose, and work side by side to ad-
vance the best interests of humanity
Mr.. Draper acknowledged the greetings
turn offered the greetings of 10000 teachers
and 100000 scholars in the land of the Iro-
quois. The subject of Mr.. Diapers lecture
was The Essential Elements of State
School System" and was strong plea for
the district school. A system of education
that shall do the most thorough and COM
plete work is what the needs of the country
require at present. He thought that bye
and bye the legislature would see the error
of its way and extend more help to the
oh of hA Oft hna,
great change for the better in the schools OF
Vermont. Teachers OF small schools some.
times complain of the few pupils under
their charge; but if the teachers are faithful
to their trust success is sure to be theirs.
Saturday forenoon was crowded full OF
business for the association. Rev. j. Ed
ward Wright's paper on Horace Mann was
listened to with great interest. Mr.. Wright
confined himself to the career of that many
sided man as an industrial reformer, dwell.
ing largely upon his labors in founding and
maintaining Antioch College, that star in
the armament of educational institutions.
County Examiner |. p. Booth of North
field was thoroughly at home with his sub
ject. Schools and Schools" He thor
oughly believed in the district school, OF
course. All through the sessions there had
been unanimty of sentiment as to the
virtue of the district school system Strong
men and women, Mr.. Booth said, were
among the noted products of Vermont, and
| Iudb SuiouBbu CdLut lIOll bnb nlllSlubS. lie
advised the teachers to go home encouraged
Remember that you are teaching a large
majority of the pupils of Vermont. Be
faithful to your trust; do well your work
here. and at the last take the crown that is
due you as a faithful servant
The Personal Equation " was the sub
ject of paper by Principal G. III. Morrill, Of
Bakersfield; What May Our Schools Do tc
Promote Patriotism - was enlarged upon by
Town Superintendent E. b. Finn of st. AL
bans; and 1.-THE Mechanical Department in
Education was treated by Professor A. w
Aver of Burlington
At the business meeting the following
officers were elected for the year ensuing,
President, Principal f. II. Dewart, st
Adams, secretary, Principal F. X. Graves
Swanton; treasurer, Principal G. w. Ken
needy, Fair Haven; executive committee
Principal A. H. Campbell of Johnson
Principal A. @. Ferrin of Manchester, Princi
pal j. G. Simpson of Bellows Falls. Vice
ADMINISTRATION county, Prof ssor G
b. Wright, Middlebury; Bennington, Su
perintendent G. S. Davis, Bennington
Caledonia, Professor j. b. Ham, Lyndon
Center Chittenden, Miss Mary K. Wells
: | mil NUo1