The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-11-30
The Town System Of Schools in
Massachusetts.

Editor Wdtchnidn:-As one deeply inter-
ested in everything relating to my native
state, especially in the line of popular edu-
cation, cannot refrain from extending my
hearty congratulations upon the adoption of
the town system in the management of her
schools. 1t is long step in the right direc-
ton, and experience will abundantly prove
the wisdom of the course taken. Naturally
there will at first be some friction in getting
the machinery into good working order;
but in spite of difficulties and obstacles, it
will result in advancing the school interests,
in giving the boys and girls better schools
and better education.
Experience abundantly justities the friends
of the measure in urging its claims. This
state (Massachusetts) had at one time the
district system of school management For
many years the leaders in education la
bored for change. Hon. George S. Bout
well, for several years secretary of state
board of education, in the twenty third re-
port uses these words: 81 entered five
years before upon the duties of the office L
now hold with some faith in the district
system; my observation and experience
have destroyed that faith entirely. 1t is
system admirably calculated to secure poor
schools, incompetent teachers, consequent
waste of public money, and yet neither
committees, nor districts, nor towns, be re-
Sponsible therefor 1t is unQuestionably
true that the best schools are found where
the district does not exist; and the charge,
III u lew lnSlduCts Iudue OC SubBbbleuy JudJ
there has been no improvement for twenty
five years, is limited in its origin and in its
truthfulness to those towns which are di-
vided into districts. Wherever town has
established the municipal system and adj
hered to it for two years. there has never
been, within my knowledge, a serious effort
in favor of the restoration of the district
system These facts are so encouraging
aud so conclusive that they ought, without
argument, to convince the most sceptical.
The great object of the people is the estab-
lishment of good schools at the least cost,
and they have no interest in the district
system when it fails to secure these ends.
No town can afford to neglect the
establishment and maintenance of a good
system of schools. All material prosperity
is connected with intelligence and virtue,
and the community that negeCts the train
ing of its youth in the virtues and sciences
of modern civilization will be overwhelmed
by the accumulated evils of ignorance, pow
erty and crime"
Hon. j, w. Dickinson, the present secre-
tary, in the tiftieth report, commenting on
the abolition of the district system, says:
'Thus 1883 disappeared from the statutes
of the commonwealth all provisions concern
ing system of school administration which
every secretary and agent of the board had
| found 10 be the greatest obstacle to any in
| telligent progress in the schools"
l feel sure that no town in Massachusetts,
would now vote out of the town system, If
| it had a chance. 1t has come to stay, to the
satisfaction of teachers, parents, Taxpayers
and voters. If given a fair trial in Yer
mont, like result is sure to follow.
A. w. EDISON.
Worcester, Mass, Nov. a.