Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-08-12
SUMNER SCHOOL.
Continued from first page.

branches of truth. To the extent that
truth is discovered there is harmony
between them. Correlation is espec-
tally valuable between history and
geography. Geography in the mod
ern sense implies much more than
location. If We are TO understand
about the movement of armies we
must understand about the topogra-
ply of the battlefield. The battle of
Lexington is much better unders TODD
by visiting the ground where that
battle was fought. History and geog~
raphy find a common meeting ground
in literature.
School law was the subject Of w. Fl.
Taylor of Hardwick. Mr.. Taylor gave
the following formulas: Law is rule
of conduct laid down by authority
having power TO enforce the rule.
Law is divided into First. Funda-
mental law-constiiutional. Second.
Statute ANNOUNCEMENTS of legisla
lures. Third. Common laW-law Of
the courts. Fourth. Law OF school
the people-the expressed will Of the
people which cannot be amended by
legislatures. The common law courts
investigate and determine the law or
rule which governs certain cases. Law
of school officials made by school Of
ficers, directors and teachers for the
good OF the school," In Mr.. Taylor's
lectures he has given a pretty thor
ough history of the early condition Of
Vermont, showing it to have been
different from any OF the united colo
MES in that it was an independent
state exercising the rights OF inde-
pendence and also acknowledged in
dependent by New York and Connec-
ticut ami by New Hampshire. a.
shown by the fact that about forty
FIVE towns of the latter state were
admitted into Vermont and the Yer
mont legislature met in one of those
chusetts acknowledged its independ-
ence in 1871, New Hampshire, 1882,
and New York II 1890 The laws of
the state early provided for the sup
port Of schools by districts, and this
law was in force till 1892. Schools
were directed by one school commit
tee in each district and the board Of
selectmen. The subjects taught were
the three Rs. School teachers were
not examined until 1927. The schools
were taught almost wholly by men,
and were supported by tax, or by
supscrip ton. No tax could be levied
except by a vote of two thirds Of the
district. Usually the expenses Of the
schools were met by poll Of scholars
until 1860. After this teachers wages
were paid in money by subscription,
board and fuel by pol. Finally the
support of schools was provided by
tax, towns might vote a tax for their
support. In 1910 the legislature voted
to raise one per cent tax for support
of schools Sometimes taxes were
paid by produce. Teachers were often
paid by produce and the town might
say what kind of produce it should be.
In 1925 the state provided for a tax
on state banks to the amount Of six
per cent on the net earnings. The
interest of this sum was appropriated
to the support Of schools, also what
money was received from peddiers'
licenses. In 1927 schools were super
vised by a committee Of three, five or
seven and by the town superintend
ent and five state com nissioners. 1t
was required that teachers should be
of good moral character and his liter
airy qualifications should be ascer
tanned by examination and no unIi-
censed teacher should receive pay.
In 1887 the United States finding its
treasury full congress decided to
dispose of some Of its surplus by
dividing it among the different states.
Much Of this fund was derived by the
sale of public lands. It was not called
a gift to the states but was to be re-
turned when the United States should
demand. Vermont received $3.50, 600,
the income of which our legislature
appropriated TO the support of public
schools. In 1884 Vermont received
the Huntington fund. Mr. Hunting
ton in his will, gave to Vermont the
snm of 5000, 728.71. The income Of
this fund is appropriated to the sup
port Of schools
These are some OF the facts which
Mr.. Taylor has presented during his
lectures. He is a very candid speaker,
thoroughly equipped and has given
much valuable instruction to the
teachers. We venture to say they
know more of school law and school
history than ever before.