Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-10-28

DciloCIdulc NoIeSi ne Is pTeJty SOOd he-
publican, apparently. In casting his vote
for Senator Proctor he made the statement
that he had given no pledges that would
| interfere with what he regarded alike a
pleasure and duty.
Like Mr.. Stafford the bulk of the DEM
ocratic representatives are young men: 25
of the 43 were elected from towns giving a
majority to the Republican state ticket, in
some cases quite large one. The party
policy of putting forward their most pop
ular young men has doubtless given them
at least one-half of their present strength.
The committee on education are nearly
ready to report bin which will embrace
most of the features of the town system of
schools. Every member of the committee.
it is understood, favors the town system of
support, but few of them are desirous of
having the districts retain the ownership
and care of the school property. The
objection urged to this feature is that it
would be difficult 10 keep the property in a
uniform and proper condition unless under
the control of one board. The main feat
ures of the bill, as it now seems most likely
to be reported, are about as follows The
school property in each county is to be
appraised by board of three men ap-
pointed by the judges of the county court.
The total appraisal for each town is to be
the basis for a tax to be assessed to pay for
the property, each district being credited
with the appraised value of its own. The
schools are to be managed by school
board of three or six members, who are to
choose superintendent from their number
or elsewhere. Sevaral towns may unite in
support of a superintendent if desired.
All certificates are to be granted by
county examiner, as at present. The
schools and school property are to be
supported by tax on the grand list of the
town. Incorporated school districts are to
remain separate, the balance of the town
forming the basis for operation.
one great objection heretofore to the
town system has been the difficulty in
equalzing the school property, but with
most of the large villages now organized as
incorporated school districts, which are not
to be included in the appraisal of school
property, it is thought that not much
trouble will be experienced. The small
districts, with the least valuable school
property, of course have a coTrespondingly
small grand list, and there is likely to be as
large propOrtOnate credit for them as for
the village districts with their better school
property, but correspOndingly larger grand
list
The contest over the office of state super
intendent of education is developing into a
lively one. Mr.. Palmer, the present in
cumbent, has proved to be a good man in
most respects, gives his time thoroughly to
the work, gets up irst-cass report, and
many think that he is deserving of the
Afi f,A,. l. = II.
he is not perfectly satisfactory TO the
teachers, who think that he is too old
fashioned and not sufficiently pleasing in
his manner of public address. The other
candidates are Senator Foster of Burling-
ton, who is good lawyer but has had no
experience in educational work for some
years, although graduate of Dartmouth,
Prof. Stone of Orleans county, the former
supervisor of schools there, and Rev. Mr..
Booth, representative from Mortified and
principal of the High school in that town
Capt c. p. Hall, our former Windham
county supervisor, has been mentioned, and
many would doubtless be glad to vote for
him should he be a candidate.
The chairman of the committee on high
ways and bridges introduced bill in the
house today which is supposed to eInbody
the views of that committee on highway
matters 1t provides that each town at its
March meeting shall elect by ballot a road
commissioner, who shall give bonds to the
selectmen in an amount equal to twice the
amount to be expended by him, and shall
perform the duties now performed by street
commissioners or highway surveyors. The
selectmen, within ten days after the COM
pletion of the annual grand list, shall as
sess tax of not less than 20 cents on the
dollar for road repairs. A state tax of five
cents on the dollar shall be annually as
sessed for the support of highways, to be
divided among the several towns in proper
tiOn to the highway mileage of each.
Seventy-tiye per cent of the taxes raised as
hereby provided shall be expended upon
the highways prior to July 10, of each year.
No part of the tax shall be used in repair
ing or rebuilding bridges or culveTts of over
four feet span, but these are to be provided
for by the selectmen, by regular town tax,
and to be under their supervision. The
road commissioner shall pay his bills by
giving his orders on the town treasurer.
He shall receives a compensation to be fixed
by the seectmen, but not less than 81 per
day. \ selectman cannot be elected road
commissioner.
Prof. VOtey of the University of Yer
mont delivered an address in the senate
NhdiiibVl lIlS tNtlllllS Oh TOdu-IDaklIlg, Dul
many of the comfortable chairs were emp
ty, while standing-room was not to be had
in the large committee room, where hear
ing on the weekly payment bill was in
progress.
The committee on elections have lust
| heard the last argument in the Danville
election case. This case, it is said has
cost the parties more than 5000 each.
/ Over $50 pages of testimony entered into
/ it. The state agricultural college and the
state prison have been visited today by the
! committees and their friends, to the num-
| Der of 80 or more. Nearly as many mem
bcrs will tomorrow inspect the reform
school and house of correction.
The general term of the supreme court
now i'm session and the annual meeting of
/ the Vermont Bar association have brought
a good many lawyers to town during the
week and given it more lively appear
/ ance.
1t is not expected that the legislature
/ will adjourn and go home this week, and
the Montpelier church collections for next
/ Sunday are likely to be heavy.
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