St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-02-02
To Women Taxpayers and Voters.
An App al for Action BY Those Interested In
e


There are this year 343 women who
paw taxes in the town of st. Johnsbury
and are therefore, by law. allowed to vote
on the question of schools. Every wom-
an is interested in the education and well
fare of children whether they are her own
or those of others; but unfortunately, at
present, only those who pay toward the
support of the schools may directly show
their interest by voting.
Some of the special needs of school chill
dren which, by voting, women may help
to meet, are
Protection of the lives of the children
by adequate FIRE escapes on the outside of
the school building.
Protection of the health of the children
by efficient medical examination. regu-
larry made, in accordance with the law.
> In cities where medical inspection is es-
tablished, more than 33 per cent of the
pupils in the higher grades are found to
be suffering from physical defects which
might have been averted or remedied, and
which, through oversight or neglect, tend
to increase during all the years of their
| attendance at school, so that the higher
grades show larger percentage OF de-
tective children than the primary grades
This must be due to faulty school condi-
tons or wrong methods of school work
Protection against contagious diseases
by furnishing individual drinking cups,
individual paper towels and liquid soap.
These are matters of vital Importance.
Other towns in our own State are provi-
ding these necessities, and st. Johnsbury
will do so when public opinion demands
it.
Having given our attention first to the
health of the children, we should take
more interest in their practical pfepara-
ton for life. Every boy or girl on leav-
ing the grammar school should be able
to do some one thing well enough to
earn living, or at least to indicate the
direction in which his or her ability lies.
The principal aim of our present meth
DDS of education is to fit the pupil for col
lege Ninety per cent of boys and girls
| never go to college. Women might rem
der most valuable service in assisting the
teachers in determining the natural abil-
| ity of their children, and thus aid in de-
veloping the practical or technical side OF
| education.
Together with our efforts for the good
| of the children, let us consider also that
| of the teachers These columns have re-
Gently contained the statement that the
| average daily wage of the public school
teachers in Vermont is 81 cents and
board themselves.
This is not all, some towns deduct even
these wages Tor absences, however SNORT
| and for whatever cause, illness and acct
| dent included.
To what degree are the women tax
| payers, by their vote or neglect to vote,
responsible for these facts?
Several states have established a pen
| sion fund for retired public school teach
ers. Such movement has been begun
in our state. Women can greatly assist
| in making this project success.
Let every woman who helps to support
| the public schools and is thereby entitled
| to voice in their management lend her
influence by voting. There may be some
| women taxpayers who have not voted
In order to vote it is necessary to see
| that your name is on the voting or
check list. This may be done by calling
at the Town Clerks office on or before
! Feb. 26.
A TAXPAYER INTERESTED IN SCHOOLS.