Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-07-09

refunded. We can see no more pro
priety in refunding that tax than in re,
funding the income tax. If the matter
had been suffered to rest it had saw.
ed ''much talkee." But it has come
to us, and s175,0 more or less look:
like a snug little sum to fall into the
treasury of our state. What shall we
do with il ? II has been suggested that
it be used to found a military institute,
or to provide military instruction in ex-
isting institutions. This suggestion
must have sprung out of what philoso-
pliers term the association of ideas.
The plan has been suggested to give it
to the U. V. NJ, Agricultural Depart
ment, for the instruction of our youth
in the science OF farming. But the
University has an Unsuitable NAV. 1t
is hard to make the farming population
of the state believe that the good that
comes out Of that institution, in the ag-
ricultural line bears any just proportion
TO the amount that gees in. If our
three institutions which we call collie
giate could be consolidated, and this
fund added it would go some distance
towards giving us creditable educa-
tional institution. As it now is our
young men 90 out of the state to get
their education. 1t is rare for one from
this section to think of entering Ver-
mont college. 1t has been suggested
that the money he turned into a COM
mon school fund, and with the Hunt
ington fund help our common schools.
This, we presume, is upon the general
principle that common school educa-
ton is a good thing, and that all ought
to have it for the good of the state, and
that whatever will aid in promoting it
should be encouraged, andthat the bur-
den is so great relief is needed, ETC.,
none of which points we propose to dis
cuss, though we venture the opinion
that in the discussion undue Importance
is attached to some of these points. We
venture the assertion that if our schools
suffer from any cause,it is not so much
from lack of money as from lack of
children. Our schools seem burden
some because we keep just as much ma
chinery running as forty years age, and
there is not need of one half as much.
We are in much better condition to
support schools now than then. If a
few weak districts suffer it is chiefly on
account OF the obstinacy of the people
who refuse to abandon the old district
system. There are plenty who insist
upon individualism in the management
Of affails, but do not object to national
ism when it comes to the question of
paving costs. As matter of fact we
do no. believe that permanent sci ool
fund is the best thing in the world for
a state to possess. So far as we have
observed. those newer states that have
such fund have no better systems of
schools than the older states.
They have no more schools, no better
teachers. and what is bad feature IN
the matter, not being compelled to pay
but little if any common school tax the
people fail to retain that interest in the
common schools which they would feel
If the burden OF their support rested di-
rectly upon them. Give us fund that
shall produce what our schools now
cost and we doubt whether the schools
would be materially improved. Would
it not be better to leave the support of
common schools to each generation as
it. needs it, and invest funds for higher
education in such way that all who
wish may enjoy their benefit. A good
industrial school would help our state.
We can think of some public improve
ments that the state needs. The mon
ey could be put into a general fund the
income of which might help to tighten
the burdens which each legislature puts
upon us. If the principal is to be us
ID it will not go far, if the income only
s to be used the reduction effected in
our taxes will be so slight as to be al
most imperceptible. What is the use
IN making fuss about it The people
IF the state could swallow it all in less
han a week in summer drinks. 1t viii
scarcely meet the disbursements of a
single session of the legislature. A
rood bridge across Lake Champlain