St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-03-26

defense OF itself, and in vindication of the
| principle that child is to be educated
| tor the community and not for self.
Herein arises the supremacy OF the state
over the individual.
The truant law is simply legal pro-
test for the sake OF the state against the
denial to any child on the part of any
parent OF educational advantages for
good citizenship. The bane OF our public
schools is the apathy of the people, an
indifference to the necessity and duty OF
requiring of children constant and regu
lar attendance.
Some teachers are negligent in report
ing cases of truancy, fearing trouble for
themselves will result II public senti-
ment was strong in the right direction,
all ground for such feeling would be
removed. The truant law was not
thrust upon us without due cause. The
census OF 1880 shows that Vermont, with
a percentage OF attendance of school
population of MS and 4 per cent of
her native born citizens over ten years
old unable to write, made the poorest
showing, with one exception, OF any New
England state But you say this does
not apply to Ryegate. Igrant this is
an exceptionally good town, still oppor-
tunity for improvement is not wanting
Should an educational test be required
of those desiring the right of suffrage,
think | could point you to young men in
this town, recently past the school age,
who might be denied that right. Had
an efficient truant law been enforced it
would have proved of untold value to
them.
Another matter that wish to allude
to, and that | hear commented upon
unfavorably, is the increased expense of
our schools That we pay larger
money tax than 10 years ago is
undoubtedly true. Free text books, more
swelled the expense, the latter item being
the only one | wish to comment upon.
Statistics show that during the last 10
years the wages of female teachers have
increased while those of male teachers
remain about the same. This is due to
the multitude of occupations now open
to women Offering more pay, less respon-
sibllty and less unkind criticism The
reason that we as a state cannot reduce
wages and maintain the present stan
dard is because we are now paying the
smallest wages of any OF the New Eng
land states. State statistics also show
that as town we are not diSpropor-
tionately burdened by taxation tor
school purposes. Fifteen towns in this
county and 2O2 in the state pay higher
per cent on their grand list for school
purposes than we do.
We congratulate ourselves that as a
town we are noted for the excellent dairy
products we manufacture and for the
fine large barns that adorn many Of our
farms. We make good butter because
that kind gives the most profit.
Is not increased intelligence more to be
desired than handsome barns or even a
fattering bank account? Part of the
children in town will doubtless receive
instruction in the higher branches
J regardless of the action of the town in
this matter, but it is morally certain
that many of them will not unless the
, town provides such instruction. TIC
maintain such school will cost few
more dollars, but in return it will give
us better citizens.
At the thank offering meeting Sunday
evening the offerings received amounted
to $21.60.
: Miss Nancy Henderson, one of our old
est residents, died quite suddenly las
week Thursday morning.
Miss Emily Glover, who has been spend
ing her vacation at home, returned to
her position at Montpelier seminary
Monday.
t Herbert Lyster spent Sunday in Dan
vile.
r X. F. Jaynes and J. X. w. Beattie took
5 a car of horses to Boston Monday to b'
= sold at auction. While there Jaynes will
work up the butter trade for Jersey Hill
2 creamery and Beattie will purchase {
: new stock OF goods for his store.
Beattie and Nelson have nearly com
: pleted their feed store at East Ryegate.
i Miss Edith Gibson attended the Birc
Carnival at 81. Johnsbury last weel
Thursday.
Miss Hannah Holmes is detained from
returning to the seminary at Montpeler
; tor time on account OF the illness OF he
mother.
The Juniors will give a sugar social il
the vestry Of the church next Thursday
/. evening, April first.