St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-10-22
For st. Johnsbury Academy.
Public Meeting Held in Music Hall
Sunday Evening.

The severe storm of Sunday evening
interiered in an unfortunate degree with
the attendance at the public meeting
held in Music Hall in the interests of the
Academy. Considering the circumstances
the audience was good, and the interest
shown in the various statements con-
cernlng the needs of the St. Johnsbury
Academy argues we'll for the success of
the movement inaugurated which in
brief is-to raise a sum of $500
necessary to complete the $4,000, or
ted to residents of st. Johnsbury or those
intimately connected with the town. The
sum of SAL 500 is already pledged, but
this represents the larger gifts. The bal
ance must come in smaller amounts and
for the purpose of securing hese can
vassing committee has been selected and
will begin work soon. The pledges are
to be paid in four semi-annual install
ments, and all are conditional on the
entire amount being raised. When the
entire $4,000 is pledged, then the alum
nj outside St. Johnsbury will undertake
to secure an additional $4,000. The
statement made BY Mr.. Hazen at the
meeting, and published below, makes
plain the need of this additional endow-
ment. Judge w. P. Smith presided at
the meeting and prayer was offered by
Rev. c. B. r. Dodge of the First Baptist
church.
Rev. Robert L. Duston was the first
speaker. He said in substance:
Preparatory schools may be potent,
moral and spiritual force. They have
proved to be such in many cases. A
case was cited of a young man in the
ministry who in a recent public gather
ing stated that the great inspiration of
his life which started him in his present
career in public service came to him in
the Green Mountain Seminary under the
principal of that school. Whatever the
church and its direct influence might
have done he gave the prominence in his
life to the school. l have watched very
carefully and noted with great pleasure
the moral and spiritual influence of st
]. Academy. BY meeting with the stu
dents at different times and by particular
cases which have come under my oberva-
| 7 IN he ctt1IautC ot15n n
strong moral and spiritual atmosphere
in the school. In this rejoice, and the
school in its work should have in every
possible way our sympathy, our support
| and our prayers.
Supt. Dempsey was the next speaker,
and his subject which concerned the re-
lation between the Academy and public
schools was treated in a masterlv way
Mr.. Dempsey began by reading Cicero's
Grafton on the value of education, and
continued saying: The test we con-
tinualy apply to our schools is this,
whether they are fulfilling these lofty
ideals of uplifting manhood and woman
hood as well as impartiug knowledge
and power. Shall we apply the test to
our own Academy? Immediately a
throng OF illustrious and worthy gradu-
ates, both living and dead contronts us
to answer emphatically that the Acade-
my has not by any means failed, and
those most familiar with the institution
as it now is know that it stands on no
lower plane of usefulness than it has
hitherto. The relation of the Academy
to the public schools here is a most vital
and intimate one. 1t is universally con-
| 40 I,nk ha aI, r>f
children through high school or Acade-
my course is a legitimate public duty,
and that such education should be as
complete and perfect as possible, and in
justice to those who bear the burden of
cost, economically. The best ends of
education must be attained even at some
sacrifice, but not at an eXtravagant cost.
1t has constantly impressed itself upon
me in my work here that the Academy is
goal of greatest Importance to which
the children look forward, and which
consequently inspires their efforts, as
they would not be inspired otherwise.
The mere fact that from $50 to IT'S
town pupils are in regular attendance at
the Academy shows this conclusively
With but few exceptions. the pupils
graduating from the grammar schools
, are ambitious to enter our academy, aud
are keenly disappointed if fprevented by
any circumstance. There is no doubt il
my mind that the break between thu
studies and education provided by oul
public schools and that of the Academy
is as slight as it would be between tn,
: schools and a properly organized higl
5 school. 1t is certain that the Academ,
is furnishing aud can continue to provid
the benefits of education such as hav
been spoken of as well as we could do
e by any high school which we could main
r tain. | am indeed convinced that to pre-
vide an equally valuable secondary edit
;. cation would involve an expense far i
;. excess of the present tuition, for th
g Academy enjoys the assistance OF endov
b ments by many liberal minded men.
S To speak Of the business side of the relt
tion of the school department to the Aca
l. envy, the present cost OF education the
Y is $46 yearly for each pupil. The cost
/ high school education of the same graz
?. in other New England towns and cities
from $50 to $40 yearly, exclusive of t
cost of buildings, and it would cost
no less to support such a school.
s. must also remember that we have in o
Sc midst about one hundred boys and CIR
who, coming from other parts OF t
= state bring to our town yearly frc
- $500 to $4,000 most of which wor
Lo ale eboulJ Nnr A.,