Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-03-25


chimney. In the hall occupied by the
Knights of Pythias the fire caught and
burned quite an amount of the parapher-
MALTA belo nging to this order but was dis
covered before it had made much Roadway
and was put out before much damage was
done.
At the village meeting held last Tuesday
evening the following officers were elected:
Moderator, E. f. ID. Carpenter; clerk, II.
S. Webster; trustees, @. b. Rowell for one
year, Jerry Marston for two years, j. b.
Clement for three years; collector, q. N.
Leonard; treasurer, f. G. Brown; chief
engineer, w. j. Joslyn, first assistant, b. A.
Scott, second assistant, w. ID. Twombly;
auditors, B. F. ID. Carpenter, Daniel Skin
ner and c. d. French. 1t was voted to
raise hydrant tax of ten per cent. on the
dollar. The auditors report showed the
village to be little over $500 in debt.
Report of superintendent of Schools.
The schools have been visited during
forenoons and afternoons toward the be-
ginning and close of each term. The
methods of instruction have been noted in
each grade, and the superintendent is
these schools, by itself, since the incorpor-
alton of the schools; and to be able so to
do showing increased success. In the first
primary room the little ones have shown,
especially the lowest class, an unusual in
terest in their reading of tiny stories and
in their number work. She who teaches
and controls them so lovingly and decided
ly has long since won for herself our high
est esteem.
In the second primary room we find the
teacher leading her pupils in no less quiet
and surely admirable manner. Her method
of instruction is such that each pupil is
required most faithfully to apply himself
to tasks set before him, and the compre-
hensive answers are usually correct Sing
ing by note, has for the first time, been
introduced into this school, and successful
attention has been given in various ways
to penmanship.
There has been a marked progress made
by some of the pupils in the intermediate
grade. While all the pupils acquit them
selves we'll, thereby showing the constant
faithfulness of the teacher who, for so long
a time has been steadfast in helping to
deavored to train the eyes of the pupils to
observe lines and angles in objects about
them and have them represented by draw
ings. We hope still more attention may
be given to plain drawing, which is the
foundation of Industrial drawing. In this
room we find the largest number of pupils,
there being thirty-six. The first and
second primaries rank next in numbers,
being thirty-three and thirty-two respect
lively.
Though we find the smallest number in
attendance in the grammar school, we find
there some of the best work being done, in
a commendable manner. Drawing has re-
ceived considerable attention with good
results. The quiet order and conduct of
pupils in this room is beyond criticism.
At the beginning of the fall term there
was change in the high school depart
ment Mr.. Willard was released to pursue
educational work in Hanover, n. II. and
Mr.. Lawrence has since ably filled his
place. The increased and continued at
tendance in this school has been one of
many proofs that a greater interest has
been awakened. Vigorous work has been
done by the various classes. The pupils
have been highly favored in being taught
singing to some little extent, thereby add
ing to the general interest in school. i
would suggest that if chemistry, astronomy
and botany are to be in the course of
studies for the high school, that suitable
for same should be provided;
also place for such to be safely kept, and
where experiments in same may be success
fully pursued. 1t is hoped that a custom
of graduating classes from a complete four
years. course will be esta blished, and to |
that end it is proposed that a class OF seven,
VINO by next June will be fitted to graduate !
from a three years course, may do so. 1t |
doubtless will prove to be a stimulus for |
pupils to remain at home and pdrsue the |
higher branches, and at the same time feel /
assured of obtaining as good high school |
as is generally given.
Whole number of pupils in all the schools |
is one hundred forty seven. Government |
in each room has been exceptionally good |
and progress of pupils all that could be ex-
pected. The janitor's work during the last |
two terms has given the best satisfaction
that could be desired. Necessary supplies, |
such as dictionaries and other books, also
been furnished. There is a great and sur
prising lack of interest among the parents,
the fathers, manifested by total
absence from the place where they send |
their children to spend so many hours
during a school year. wish more would |
make an effort to visit their children in
their work shops or training places.
One great blot upon the schools is the
want of suitable outbuildings. 1t is rot |
that children coming from civil
lied homes should or could want to misuse
buildings erected for their service, and we
know many of the children are made un-
to say the least, because of