Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1900-12-27
Vermont Academy and the Future.

Vermont Academy and the Future.
The St. Adams Messenger remarks: SIT
is gratifying, indeed, to learn that John D.
Rockefeller will give $4,000 to Vermont
Academy at Saxtons River on condition
that the institution raise $4,000 more.
But, without in the least di,paragirg the
claims of the Saxtons River school, Yer
monters should be pleased to see few tat
sums of money come rclling into the Uni
versity of Vermont. 1t appears to The
Messenger, at first thought, that this nom
sectarian state college has the first claim
upon our generosity to Vermont education
al institutions" The state institution at
Burlington ha, no reason to complain; it
has been quite literally dealt with by sue
ces.ive state legislatures. While Vermont
academy is nominslly sectarian school. it
is too broad to be confined within secta
rian lines. This paper has said more than
once that there is great opportunity in
Vermont for the development and up
building OF high grade, liberal state acad-
envy. While the Methodist seminary at
Montpelier has the advantage OF location,
Vermont academy has the advantage of a
handsome endowment, and money counts
every time. And then, too, in many re-
spects the academy's location is ideal, we'll
adapted to draw large number Of pupils
from portions of Vermont, New Hamp-
shire and Massachusetts. 1t is situated on
lovely plateau in beautiful village, just
lar enough from railroad to insure quiet,
good air and good morals,yet near enough
to reach thu outside world in 20 minutes
ride on the trolley. The high school can
never entirely take the place of the train
ing afforded by an academy. We believe
that Vermont academy il, just ente' ing up.
on the most useful and succ s,ful period OF
its history.
Each of US traverses the wonderland of
childhood but once. The years 90 on
lightning wings and the charm is dispelled
all too soon. The following from the Bos-
ton Transcript should be pondered by
parents:
Realistic effgie, of old Santa Claus
are numerous this year in the toy depart
ments OF the large stores, and it is amusing
and touching to watch the awe struck, ad-
miring faces OF the little ones who cluster
around him. pouring into hi, attentive ear
their Christmas wishes, with mothers and
attendants smiling in the background
The Santa Claus tradition i, one of the
prettiest in existence and the mother who
has mistaken compunctions in encouraging
this childish faith in the time-honored
Christmas legend deprives her child Of
birthright which can do no possible harm
and which is always remembered with the
greatest pleasure throughout lite. Let the
children bell Ave in their cherished Santa
c aus as long as they may. The cold
practicalities of life come soon enough and
destroy illusions enough, and no normal
child is any the worse for little indul-
gence of Imagination"
Gen. Theodore S. Peck will not be can
didate for collector OF customs at the port
of Burlington. This means that he could
not bag the job, and that Col. Olin Merrill
will continue to draw hi, salary and collect
the fees. The Burlington Free Press
remarks: 1--WE may add that the dis
courtesy. to use no stronger term, with
which Gen. Peck has been treated by
. portion of the Vermont press, in this
matter Of the collectorship, has seemed to
rs wholly uncalled for and unjust. He
had q perfect right to be q candidate for
the place. He did not decide to enter the
field until he had received encouragement
to do so from Q number OF influential gen.
tlemen in various parts of the state. In
point of fact he ba, already received strong
support for bis appl cation from every
county in the state, and by no means the
least from leading citizens in Burlington
and Chittsnden county, where he is best
kuown." The general was pretty general
ly roasted. The boys of the press are
generally little down on wind and brass
buttons. especially when they are not
backed BY genuine ability and merit.