St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1914-09-02

dations relative to changes in our
educational system premature and
unwise We honestly commend the
work of the commission to the
thoughtful attention of the Legis-
lature, and of all our people, to the
end that such legislation may be en-
acted that public education in Yer
mont may be brought to the highest
possible point of efficiency, having
regard not only to the industrial re-
quirements of the state but also to
the development of a well-rounded
citizenship. Especially do we en-
phasize consideration of our common
schools which are justly recognized
as the foundation of our educational
system. 1t is imperative that they
be given ample financial support
equitably distributed and wisely ex-
pended; that instruction therein be
/ in the hands of competent teachers
and that the course of study be such
as to equip the pupil for useful
citizenship without sitting his as
pirations for higher learning. We
commend the policy heretofore
adopted of introducing courses of
educational training in our second
airy schools, and urge such further
extensions thereof as may be expedi-
ent.
Suffrage.
Recognizing the growing senti-
ment throughout the country in
favor of granting the right of suf-
frage to women, and believing that
the women of Vermont, at least, are
the equals of the women of other
states in intelligence and patriot
ism, we recommend that at the first
opportunity afforded, a constitution
al amendment giving woman equal
right of suffrage with man be sub
mitted to the voters of this common
wealth.
Highways
Again we emphasize the prime |
Importance to the state of good |
roads. Our development, social and
industrial, demands the maintenance
Of a policy that shall keep us fully |
abreast of our sister states in respect |
to highway improvements. We be- |
ieve that the present administration |
of our highway system commends it |
self to all our people as embodying |
a maximum of efficiency and a mini
mum of expense. We have thus far |
prosecuted our permanent highway |
work within our income, thus
avoiding the creation of a bonded /
Indebtedness, a conservative policy
eminently wise in principle and eff
cient in practice. We pledge our
selves to its continuance, recon-
mending only such further legisla-
tive action as the general assembly
may deem necessary to supplement
existing law on the subject.
Agriculture
We recognize the fact that agri-
culture continues to be the predom-
inant industry of our common
wealth. The farm is and must con-
tinue to be the financial head of our
material prosperity and corner
stone of the new Vermont. All
measures, therefore, looking to the
up-building of agriculture, both in
method and practical result, are
commended to the favorable consid-
Grafton of the general assembly. We
believe that nowhere in the United
States are there greater agricultural
possibilities than in Vermont, land
values, proximity to the most ample
markets, and all other factors, con-
sidered. We believe that the eff
Gent work of our state publicity
in giving the widest
pO0SAU40 puDllC1Iy " LnOSO uAUOuDIOQ
possibilities, should be continued,
not only as an encouragement to our
citizens to remain upon the farms
of Vermont, but as an inducement
to the farmers of other states to seek
homes within our borders.
The teaching of practical agricul-
ture should be prosecuted with vigor
and efficiency Without disparage-
ment or neglect of the other inter
ests of the state, we bespeak for
agricultural instruction through eX-
listing agencies, the most liberal and
effective encouragement.
We believe that the agricultural
extension work, inaugurated by the
last general assembly, whereby
practical instruction in method is
carried on from the state agricul-
tural college to the farm, is of
great value to our farming interests,
and should be given generous fnan-
eial support
We also suggest that in addition
to his other duties, the Commissioner
of Agriculture establish in his Of
fee a department of markets and a
department Of farm labor.
State and Municipal Economy.
We express our deliberate convic-
ton that national, state and muni-
elpal extravaganza is one of the most
crying evils of the present age To {
anticipate the future by the creation
of a permanent bonded indebtedness
is to mortgage the future, a policy