The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-12-27
The stsarns 4compromlse. ).

II, as seems more than likely, Rep
resentative Charles H. Stearns, OF
Johnson, really intends starting out
on a campaign OF ripping up the edu-
cationai system of Vermont from top
10 bottom, II seems fair to say that
undoubtedly the honorable gentleman's
bark Is worse than his bite He has
never actually bitten anyone in Yer
mont yet but many OF us have heard
and admired his deep-mouthed wool,
wool
What the gentleman from Johnson
actually wants is the restoration Of
the normal school at johnson; that is
what he was elected for; that is what
he has pledged himself to accom-
plish. He may not care particularly
whether It is a good thing to do so
far as as the whole state is concerned
or whether it will hurt other towns.
Like eaother distinguished represent
Iative from that harbor and haven of
sturdy independence he might say
81 don care whether this is a good
thing for the other towns in Vermont
or not / don't care. I'm here to rep
resent Johnson"
Even Castleton is a minor considera-
tion with Mr.. Stearns. II he could
rade off the interests Of Castleton for
those Of Johnson, his pledge TO his
constituents would perhaps suggest
that he would but he ought to do it
If he would carry out the Johnson
idea so beautifully and reroically ex-
pressed by one of his predecessors
What Mr. Stearns really wants is
to kick up such a Robbery" make
such terrific appearance OF DEATH
destruction and desperation as to
strike fear into the hearts of the state
board of education, the advocates Of a
central normal school, the University
of Vermont and all other opponents.
He desires to have them hopelessly
extended at his feet and literally beg
ging for mercy Then IN the grand
manner of the early Victorians, he
would offer compromise: Restore the
normal schools Tor SCHOOL, and | will
call off the dogs OF war aud permit
the state board, the present system.
the commissioner and the supervisors
to live on"
So we prefer to discount all this
verbal carnage in advance and state
Mr. Stearns position for him. which
is simply: Restore the normal schools
or fight II we misjudge or misQuote
him, we stand ready to make amends
The issue was much better stated
by Principal Morrill, Of Brigham Acad-
envy IN Bakersfield in these columns
last week. He said.
shall Vermont have rural normal
schools with the emphasis on training
of teachers for rural schools, while
the teachers for the larger towns and
cities hall be trained in the training
departments of the colleges; or shall
Vermont have a central collegiate in
stitution with the emphasis on training
Of more highly equipped teachers and
suited to the needs OF the larger towns
and cities, while the teachers for the
rural schools are trained in training
classes?'
Apart from the local interests Of
Castloton and Johnson, which are inn
portant and which ought to be con.
sidered, can Legislators find better
place TO make stand one way or the
other, and settle the question without
paying any attention whatever to
those who propose to tear down the
presett system but know perfectly
we the people OF the state won't let
them do it,. Rutland Herald.