Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-03-13

pride and privilege of the citizens Of
our villages. With us at the Landing
it doubtless will be, if for no other
reason than because we can not help
ourselves. With the village Dist. it is
different. Here is an academy and
graded school with special charter
from the legislature. Here, am told,
is found over one third of the grand
list of the town. They could come
into this ideal town system but they
do not. We have not the town
system yet. This is a serious defect
of the new law. But human nature is
the same everywhere.
These chartered schools are only
following the example of a church
member, who, when the revivalist
came to town and was holding meet
ings every night in the church, was
seen regularly sitting upon the out
side steps during the meetings. When
asked why he did not go in, he re-
piled, sI am waiting to see whether
there is going to be revival or not"
We predict a general revival of edu-
cation under the new law and then we
expect that these will either come
in Of their own accord or be legislated
in. There are good many men now
who would gladly come into the town
system, but they are not in the ma
jority in the villages. And when
speak of these chartered schools COM
ing into the town system it is not with
the idea that their course of study or
their standard are to be changed or
lowered. Every village or central
school should keep up a high order of
scholarship, terms of the usual length,
and with the higher studies. Of course
the success of the new law depends
largely upon the school board to be
elected. They should believe in this
system, which has been tried and is
successful in many states, leaving
Vermont far in the rear to her injury
and disgrace. There will need to be
a sacrifice of time, an unselfish devo
ton to the best interests of the rising
generation, and, perhaps a little Of
that stuff of which martyrs are made.
And on the part of the people there
must be patient waiting and gener-
Gus help given the whole matter. Don't |
let the state or town initiate the little |
boy, who, having learned that mag |
nificent willow tree had grown from a |
twig of that wood, procured one, stuck
it in the ground, and tried to grow
one for HIMSELF; and doubtless would |
but for the practice of pulling up the
tWig every morning to ascertain if it
had sprouted. The new system will
effect no radical changes at once.
There are one or two districts where
the schools are so small that they are
Of little value compared to the cost.
There are one Or two districts SO near
this school that they ought to have
the advantage of it's superior instruc
ton and discipline. There need be
40 confusion or fear regarding the
new law. 1t is only the school dis
5rict enlarged. We are now a town
Of two school districts. I trust that
5his town of thrift and intelligence
Will give the law a fair trial. I believe
hat we shall grow, a large educa
5ional tree, the pride of New England
ind blessing to our children and our
,hildren's children forever.
Mention should be made of the sue
,essful summer SCHOOL, held in this
place. 1t was a great stimulus to the
jeachers, and it's good influence is felt
ar and wide. It is deserving, and no
loubt will receive the encouragement
If all friends of education. 1t is with
peculiar sorrow that we remember at
his time the illness Of the president
If this school, Judge Austin, and re-
,ord our regrets that we can not have
lis active efforts in this time of edu-
,ational need.
We would not forget the celebra-
ions on Columbus Day at the two
arger villages. The exercises were
irst- class at both places, and the en-
husiasm kindled on that occasion was
genuine and will abide. Hearty
hanks are due and are hereby tender
ID the bands, which furnished excel
ent music; to the G. A. r. Posts, to
he committees, teachers and school
hildren-all of whom contributed so
much to the profit and pleasure of this
lay. Respectfully submitted,
j. K. FULLER.