Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1911-12-06
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.
Gov. Mead G. A. r Commander.

Gov. Mead G. A. Commander.
Grand Army men throughout the
state seem to be thoroughly in SYM
patty with the move started by u. s.
Grant post to make Governor Mead
the next state department command
err of the G. A. r. The fact that he
is the only governor of any state who
is a G. A. R. member ought to make
Vermont veterans hasten to honor
him. -Brattleboro Reformer.
Education and Politics.
1t was just about a year ago now
that the Standard first directed atten-
tion to the political character of these
educational meetings carried on by
Superintendent Stone and criticised
the manner in which they were con-
Quoted and the quality of a goodly
portion of the personnel Of his speak
ing staff.
At that time the Standard. whose
criticism was aimed. not at the state
superintendent of education as such,
but at his mistaken policy in con-
n~ection with these tours, was charged
by a leading state daily with having
an Interior and unworthy purpose and
| arrogantly advised that we knew
nothing about the matter. That our
criticism of these meetings was fully
warranted however, we demonstrated
at that time, and this has since been
c~orroborated by the editorial uttsr-
ances of other state papers, among
them the Burlington Clipper, which
has spoken plainly regarding these
meetings.
AS the Standard has seen no reason
to change its opinion in this matter
and still stands as a critic of what it
considers a prevented idea of the aims
and purposes of the Office of state
superintendent of education by the
present incumbent as regards these
educational meetings, we presuma-
bly,. come within the category OF
those whom the Waterbury Rec-rd, sc
strongly condemns, while placing Mr..
Stone upon a pedestal far removed
from the common clay.
Now the Standard does not hold in
the slightest degree to this idea OF
the ex-officio exemption of public
men and their official acts from hon.
est criticism. 1t is a dangerous doc.
trine and subversive of free ~instit4'
tions and democratic government.
The Standard appreciates Mr..
Stones good qualities. 1t believes,
and has frankly and frequently ex
pressed this belief, that he has the
ability to make a first class superin.
tendent of education.
But it believes that Mr.. Stone, in
paying too much attention to politics,
has belittled the dignity of his office,
and that instead of counting upon his
merits and the efficiency of his work,
ho hos f0lI0cund foo ro,,oh fIo ~oio+o1x
en- policy of ingratiating himself with
influential politicians as an insurance
against criticism or opposition.
This interest of Mr.. Stone in politi.
cal affairs is a fact that cannot be
controverted and that his policy ir
this respect has resulted in making
his educational meetings politica
junkets has come to be generally anc
clearly recognized.
These meetings are of decided i'm
portance to the educational interests
of Vermont and should be conducted
by men whose time 'and energy are
devoted to educational matters. II
such talent is not available within
the state, men of this class from out
side should be called in. These edu
cational meetings should be of a.
high an order as the meetings of tn.
state board of agriculture and O:
health and the talent employed shoul(
be of as high a grade as regards mat
ters educational as is that in matter.
relating to agriculture and the publiu
health.
Far removed from this standar,
have been the educational meeting
carried OF throughout the state dur
/. ing certain periods of the year, con.
Quoted as they have been largely by
men who have embraced the chance O
extending their acquaintance and in
creasing their political influence an,
+ who could not be classed as educat
ors in the slightest degree or consid
cred as possessing talent that woul
aid the educational cause which sue
meetings should help to promote.
There are exceptions and the Stan
dard frankly comedies that some O
L the speakers at these meetings hav
y been qualified to aid materially i
3 promoting the educational interest
of the state and, in order to fore
= stall a repetition of the charge of ur
n worthy motives on our part. we glac
= ~ exempt from our classification an
and all Franklin county speakers VIII,
have accompanied MI. Stone and a
sisted in his meetings.
3 A broad policy and dignified m e tt
DDS should characterize the state d.
e partment of education, second to nor
{ IN Importance in the state govern
U ment.- Enosburg Standard.