Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-11-23
DOINGS AT MONTPELIER.


Last week was distinguished by his
toric features of much interest. Senator
Bailey was i'll one OF his interestingly
reminiscent moods. He memorialized Il
very rare event by placing on record the
fact that Wells Goodwin, survivor of
the war of 1912, had attained and passed
his one lundre,lth birthday. Rarely does
the lite of a man continue through SO
many and varied scenes as this one has.
War. peace, the grandeur and rustic ro-
nance of a new country primitive days:
and the events of century OF its most
heroic and enthusiastic existence are
thronginn like long shadows through the
old mans vision, all the while gradually
fading and dssolving into those elements
out of which the founders and defenders
of the republic are made immortal and
crowned with undying fame. Listen to
Senator Bailey as he crowds into few
words nicely arranged events covering
two ordinary generations and more;
Afr President, Mr.. Wells Goodwin of New
bury, a native Vcrmontcr, has passed the
century milestone OF human life. As n lad of
five years he remembers the death and burial
of George Washington. In 1916. Wells Good
win voted tor lanes Monroe, fifth president
of the United States, and has voted Mt every
presidential election since. This mans life
reaches almost back to the date OF NcrmOntS
admission to the Union. He was a child dur
ing the last years OF Ncrmont>' l governor.
Thomas Chittcnden's administration. He
was nineteen years old when Moses Robin
son, our second governor. died. Governors
Paine, Eaton, Fletcher, Han, Smith, Paul
Dillingham; Page, Converse, Washhurn,
Peck aud Horace Fairbanks, were born
came upon the stage, made honorable and
patriotic history tor Cur commonwealth
and long since have passed to the silent ma
jority, and all during this one mans lifetime.
on the 18TH day OF June, 1872 war was de-
clared against Great Britain by the congress
of the United States. Soon after Wells
Goodwin Joined the American forces under
General Winfield Scott. SO far as can be as
certaincd from the war records, the said
Wells Goodwin is now the only survivor Of
the war OF 1872 living in Vermont. There
fore. in cowmcmorntion of this fact, Mr.,
President and senator's, hope the resolution
will pass.
History and education here and now,
including the photography of Vermont
which is to be published, (Gilman's) are
very interesting, but it is to be regretted
that educational interests are pursued
under such peculiar conditions as the
State has gotten into. Swarms of legis-
lators with numerous following arc
storming around i'll the educational Svs-
TEN trathcr systems from the high win
dows i'll incorporated school districts
down to the lowest stages. To the com
mon mind the diSproportioned and in
harmonious features presented by all the
educational enterprises i'll this State form
puzzle. Many do not see in the work
ings Of our educational interests that
harmony, unity and universally through
out the State in purposes and methods
which has been predicted. The truth
seems to be that our school system is
continually growing stronger, the organ.
ization more perfect, and the working
more effective each year. Then why these
everlasting differences and dscontents
why all this confusion among the work
men?
First-Thcrc are number OF incorpora-
ted districts in the State which are acting
independent of the school system. They
have expensive buildings, and large sums
of money invested i'll these enterprises, a
large proportion of which have been do
mated i'll various ways, but to these speci-
fc purposes, and on such conditions that
when they cease to be used for those pur-
poses, or are diverted from the purposes
of the gift, they will be forfeited and pass
to the donors of such funds or their heirs
And SO the destruction or diversion OF
such large interests and funds is a com.
plete defence against the destruction OF
those interests or districts, and they are
allowed to stand as monumental refuta.
tons Of any assertion that the school
system is zone harmonious whole"
Second-Thcn there are the State Nor.
NAL Schools which wcre not created in
aid OF the common school system nor
withspeciai reference or adaptation to it
They were fourishing schools growing
out of designs laid in the foundations Of
the State. These schools were conducted
by distinguished educators who began in
the course of time to educate along Ger
tain particular lines. Giving prominenc,
to instructing and preparing st udents fol-
teaching i'll common schools their worl
soon attracted attention. Educator.
soon saw that well trained teachers wer
rendering the new system more efficicn
and popular, and the State began t
gradually encourage these Norma
Schools by giving them money but with
out connecting itself with them, cxcep
by way of advising a little about tn
curriculum of the school and in som
other unimportant particulars, so tina
the State without acting promptly an,
independently to furnish its own suppl
school temporized with the three Norma
Schools by giving them each equal er
enlargement. 1t finally named them bu
on one pretence and another it becam
under equal obligation to each and ha