Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1894-10-01

Fifty years ago we stood far better
when our Academies were f1ourishing,
than we do to-day. Our district
schools as a whole were much better
because our teachers were better ed
ucated in all that pertains to the
great duties of life. We educated our
children at home under our own SUI
pervision under the able teacher of
Craftsbury Academy, and under that
eminent disciplinarian and scholar, the
Rev. A. L. Twilight OF the Browning
ton Academy, and such teachers as
Lincoln and Hovey of the Derby Acad-
envy, both in after years respectively
presidents of the Theological Seminary
at Newton, Mass.
These teachers were followed by the
Rev. Austin Norcross, for many years
at the head of that Institution. To
know him was to love him. He sway
ed the hearts of his pupils by genial
Christian love for their welfare.
Many young men went out from
that institution as bright and shining
lights. The late lamented Benjamin
HI. Steele, the scholar and jurist, the
interchangeable lawyer, Ossian Ray, the
accomplished Bishop Niles and our
able statesman, the Hon. Redfeld
Proctor, and many others too numer-
Gus to mention, are examples of the
great work emanating from the Der
by Academy. Its name ought not to
be blotted out and gone forever. The
people of Orleans County will not be
willing to sever their connection with
that institution. The location is too
we'll adapted to the wants of a great
institution Of learning. Others may
add the eligible position of the Crafts
bury Academy for like institution.
AS far as L can judge it is an admira-
BILE location for first class Acade my.
With the situation of our schools in
this county as above stated, what ac-
ton should be taken to give the poor
er class the facilities of a first class
education. In short to put them on
par with the more favored wealthy
portion OF the community.
and girl suitable advantages unless
we make these higher grade institu-
tons free schools, and thus place the
poor scholar on level with the rich,
in the means of acquiring an educa-
ton.
A tax of five cents on the dollar of
the grand list of the county will raise
about five thousand dollars, to be
equally divided between the Derby
Academy and the Craftsbury Acade-
my. 1t is believed that this sum, with
the income arising from donations,
will be sufficient to pay all buttons
and pay all incidental expenses of the
institution including the reduction of
board at the boarding house to actual
cost, SO that the scholar can live at
home. This tax is onerous to no one.
The poor man with only poll tax can
educate his half dozen children as
completely as the rich man, by pay
ing ten cent tax; and the man with
paying the small tax of one dollar an
nually. The rich man can better af-
ford to pay his tax for this purpose,
because his person and property are
protected by the intelligent communi-
ty these Academies will raise up, and
by the power that will thereby be ere
ated to dispel ignorance and Danish
anarchy from the land. Every human
being is benefited by this enterprise.
Can any one say why the free school
should end with the district school,
in this day all boastful for it's religious,
civil and literary attainments. Let
no one think that this five per cent
tax is a loss. 1t is better than money
at twelve per cent interest, in pc
cuniary point of view, as will clearly
appear when we give the slightest
thought to the condition of our dis
trict schools.
We have in the county of Orleans
about two hundred district schools to
be supplied with teachers. All these
teachers should be thoroughly edu-
Gated at one Of these Academies. This
would necessarily be the result be-
cause of their cheapness and the adj
vantages to be derived from a near
ness to their home.
The scholars designing to teach
having been cheaply educated could
we'll afford to teach cheaper than they
would if they were compelled to go
into other counties at great expense,
for travel and high tuition, besides
there would be a great surplus of
teachers from which selections could
be made. This course of educating
our teachers would end the oft re-