St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-06-10
Prouty and Education.
The Newport Man an Earnest Supporter
of Better Schools. FavOrS Continuance
and Extension Of Skilled Supervision
and Raising of Teachers Wages.

and Extension OF SKllled supervision
and Raising of Peacher'S Wages.
(The Morrisville Messenger in its
issue of June II will have as it's leading
editorial the following)
In his Memorial Day address at St.
Johnsbury, Colonel George Harvey, the
accomplished and versatile editor of
Harpers Weekly and The North Ameri-
can Review. himselfa son of Vermont,
made a significant reference to the
power of the common schools in distinc-
ton to other forces in its province of
moulding the character of the people.
Indeed no more eloquent tribute has
been paid to the great work of the past
done in this respect by the common
schools. This reference made by Colonel
Harvey is of particular value in Yer
mont, today, because of the partially
developed movement aimed at still more
effective work by the very agency he
extolled.
In the legislative session of1906 by
means of the influence and good work of
considerable number of leaders in Yer
mont thought, there was initiated pro-
vision to a limited extent for skilled
supervision of the common schools. In
making this provision the state had the
bana6+ &c tho avDa,;auca Of soma of +ba
sister New England states which have
tried and have proven such skilled
supervision. The result has been that an
Unexpectedly large number of the super
vision units contemplated,-a number
practically reaching to the full extent of
the appropriations for the purpose-have
been formed and are now in successful
operation.
AS is the case with all new movements
in pioneer fields, the application of this
plan has found measure of opposition
in the sections affected by it and, natur-
ally, it cannot be said, although now in
its second year of trial, to have passed
in Vermont out of it's experimental
stage. Therefore it remains for coming
legislatures to provide for and for COM
ing administrations to support the
continuance and extension of skilled
supervision of the common schools until
the same shall become as deeply rooted
and as firmly established as any past or
present essential of Vermont's public
school system.
Since Lieut.-Gov George H. Prouty
entered into public life his support of all
approved advance educational move
ments has been unvarying. Indeed, in
the passage of the bill providing for the
skilled supervision above referred to, his
part was in no sense secondary. He is
believer in the plan and has very close
acquaintance with its workings AS
Governor, his influence and his executive
action, so far as it has bearing upon the
subject, would be cast in favor of the
continuance and extension of the system
so far as the same could be done with
due regard to a proper recognition OF
state economics. In harmony with his
attitude towards this special subject, his
record places him on the right side of
every question involving the better
ment of our common schools. Any and
all effort designed to raise the quality
of the teaching element and the raising
of teachers wages, so far as public
finances will permit, is sure of his
studied attention, earnest consideration
and effective personal and official
interest.
This is still another matter of the
highest Importance and, perhaps, the
one of all others having the greatest
bearing upon the future of this
| Commonwealth. In the Governors
office man of his type and recognized
! force of character can serve this worthy
purpose to the highest and most pro-
ductive ends. George H. Prouty is for
better and still better public schools.