St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-10-12

Spontaneous anu happy SAPiSosion
of the confidence" etc., etc., etc..
What scene for an artist
The camera of cold, calm fact,
however, took a somewhat different
picture.
1t appears that 1.-THE value OF the
compliment was greatly enhanced
by the manner of conveying it,"
Manner" rather than manners"
apparently; for, while lit has been
the custom to advance the head OF
the executive committee to the presi-
dency of the association" it was
decided by the nominating commit
tee 70 make radical change in the
method. Two ends might thus be
secured: ~ the executive commit
Zee, as a whole, was to be "downed"
in order that (2) the "boomet"
might be duly shaped and started.
This holy war had been under con.
sideration since the opening Of the
convention. Mischievous, SANDER
Gus, spiteful gossip had been rife ir
the sacred Star Chamber, and it was
decided that there probably was a
wicked conspiracy somewhere and
that the executive committee were
behind it. 1t was sad but sacred
duty that confronted the avengers,
but they met it like crusaders.
The master-stroke was appointed
for the final business meeting of the
convention, Saturday morning. Oct.
la memorable day in the history
of the development of educational
amenities in Vermont. The attend
ance at this last business meeting,
by the way, is always small. This
is owing to the fact that the bust.
ness to be transacted has always
been largely of sort defined by pre-
cedent and past practice. At the
meeting in question the change of
method in the appointment of Off
GERS was announced, the existing
method was declared, in "singularly
happy" phrase, to SAVIOR more of
Generalization than of election"
and, with this pleasant and polite
preliminary, ballots were distributed,
filled out, and collected. Many spicy
remarks were made during the pro-
cess, such as This is an educational
campaign" etc. 1t was very droll
il not very dignihed.
The nominating committee, acting
as tellers, retired and, later in the
session, appeared with their report.
In the meantime, the regular exer.
cises of the programme had been
proceeding and a goodly au dience
had assembled. The tellers' report
stated that 102 ballots had, been
cast. For president, Mason S. Stone
had received so votes, one Of the
members of the executive committee
had received 13, and 80 were "scat-
tering." The recipient of the 10
votes naturally withdrew his name,
the presiding officer called for an
"aye-and-no" vote on the name of
Mr.. Stone, and gentle, zephyr.like
AYE" was beard, followed by an au-
dible mo"
This was the emphatic endorse.
ment" and the Spontaneous and
happy expression" etc. There were
present at the convention, accord
ing to a conservative estim tc,
$50 teachers. OF these from 800
to $50 were members of the associa.
ton. How fortunate it was that a
ripple OF emphatic endorsement
rolled over the president. elect, in
stead of a tidal wave of "spontane-
Gus expression!" On the whole, we
are inclined toagree with the Watch
man in thinking that it was "high-
ly significant"
Just one query remains. What is
the logical connection, in the
thought of the Watchman's contrib
utor, of all this buncombe with "the
two men of the executive commit
tee" who are declared to be tout oil
sympathy with the common school
administration in the state" etc
Ga what ground Of decency. dignity
or truthiulnesS Is a Wanton, coward
ly slur cast upon the gentlemen o
the executive committee, every mem
Der OF which is well known to have
been and to be deeply interested in
and identified with, every proeres
sive educational movement in Yer
mont, from the lowest school grad,
to the highest, who contribute
patient and arduous effort to rende,