The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-10-20
REFORM CONTENTION.

The National Reform Association
held a convention in Montpelier on
Tuesday and Wednesday of last week
Speakers of prominence in the State
and elsewhere were present. A
/ general discussion on practical meth
DDS of reform. of Marriage and Di-
/ vorce Laws" was opened by Elisha
May on Wednesday morning, who
urged an appeal to the Legislature
for proper modification of the pres
present laws. Other topics OIL reform
relating 10 religious teaching in the
public schools aud the temperance
question we're ably discussed.
The closing session of the National
| Reform Association was called to order
by E. A. Bishop, DID,, principal of
Montpelier Seminary in Representa-
tives' hall on Wednesday evening.
Following the opening services, Hon.
Jonathan Ross, delivered an address
on 1.-THE Oath AS Related to Good
citizenship. He showed that belief
in the Supreme God and the sonshlp
of man to Him are shown both in the
Federal and State governments of
this country by the fact that an oath,
invoking His help, is required of all
officers in the executive, judicial and
legislative departments, in the per-
formsnce of duty. If the oath were
rightly administered and carried out,
equal justice to all and good govern
ment would result, The speaker said
that from many years experience he
believed that the oath in court is
potent touay. Native born, or those
seeking naturalization should be re.
CURED to learn by heart and to I'M
derstand the freeman's oath, or that
of allegiance. The civics taught in
the pubic schools should include in
struction on the oaths required to
qualify as voters. The duties and
responsibilities of the citizen-voter
are higher and greater than those of
any officer. The citizen-vuter is the
sovereign, the officer is but the trus-
tee. The freeman's oath is the only
guarantee of the faithful performance
of their trust by the representatives
ofsthe people. More safeguards should
be thrown around the qualifications of
the citizen-voter. The man who does
not vote because Objectionable men
also cast their vote with him, and the
man who becomes a criminal, or who
is dishonest, should be deprived of
his vote. The voter should not be al
lowed to stay away from the polls any
more than a soldier to run away
during battle.
Rev. William E. Gardner, rector of
Christ (EpiscopaD church, Quincy,
Mass, then made an earnest speech
on 1.-THE Public Schools and our
National Christianity. Mr.. Gard
ner spoke in brief as follows:
The speaker made an appeal to the
professional educators to cease discuss
ing the subject Religion in the Pub
lie Schools which is an indefinite
aud meaningless subject, and give
their attention to Christianity in
the Public Schools. - He claimed
that there are new religious condi-
tions today in which Christianity &C.
cupied the leading place, and should
be recognized not in It's dogmatic or
ecclesiastical aspects, but as practi-
cal productive force in the world.
He showed shat democracy was based
on Christianity and that it was use
less to create an institution like the
free school with distinct purpose TO
safeguard the free State, and rot give
that school the Christianity which
was the foundation element of the
State.
The chairman opened the meeting
to discussion Hon. Walter +. Ranger
took exception to the address of Mr..
Gardner. Mr.. Ranger claimed that
while the public schools of this State,
and OF the United States. are not all
that could be desired, still they recog-
nize the Infinite God and Christian
ity, and these schools are on the right
line. The difference of the school
master to the minister, RELOCATING
religious instruction to the latter, ac-
counts IN Mr.. Rangers opinion, for
much of the complaint made by the
previous speaker. Mr.. Ranger said
that Vermont is fortunate in that she
has the Bible in her Senate, House Of
Representatives, courts and schools,
and has had it there for years. The
way TO gain more goodness is by APP
preciating what we already have and
striving for further Advancement In
reply TO Judge Ross, Mr. hanger
said that if the judge will furnish
him with copy of the evenings adj