The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-08-22
ROSE LUCIA'S YORK
INTRODUCED TO VT.
Statement About Her Position as
State Supervisor of Rural
Schools.

Almost any American would den,
at the top of his voice the existenc
of aristocratic families among us, an,
certainly any Vermonter would bris
tie up at the mention of such posi-
bility in our plain and democrats
commonwealth. And yet we have on
own Vermont variety of aristocracy
the only true kind, the aristocracy O
service; we have families on whom W,
can count to work for Vermont's best
interests, families whose inheritanc,
is not money but splendid tradition
of service fthe coming good, write:
one in close touch with Vermont
schools.
Perhaps the latest instance of such a
handing on of the torch of service to-
Vermont, is the acceptance by Miss
Rose Lucia of the position of state
supervisor of rural schools, a position
created especially for her to improve
the condition of our Vermont district
schools. 1t is a critical, dangerous and
decisive moment for our rural schools
on which depend the future of the
state. The latest census showed us
what we already knew that in YER
mont as elsewhere the trend of popu-
lation is toward cities and towns. But
we all also know that the standard
of efficiency for schools is being raised
higher and higher all over the country.
This means that country districts are
absolutely obliged to improve their
schools unless they wish to see their
children at a hopeless disadvantage in
the modern world, and yet there are
fewer people and hence less money in
the country than before, to furnish the
work, energy and intelligence to do
this necessary improvement.
This is the plainest possible state
ment of the situation now confront
ing Vermont. But to put against the
rather discouraging sound of that
plain statement there are many en-
eouraging factors in the situation
One, the most important one, is that
Vermont is full of Nermonters, and it
is unthinksble that the descendants of
the Green mountain boys are going to
lie down and give up before prob
lem so vital to the moral health of
the state as the improvement of our
rural schools. Men and women whose
grandfathers and grandmothers fought
for their homes against injustices |
armed by superior force, will not, once |
they are aware of the problem, let ig- !,
norance rob Vermont children of their !
rightful inheritance. The determine
ton, energy and tenacity of purpose |
which throbs through all the history !
of Vermont, will come once. more to |
the defense of the higher interests of
our state. Once let Vermonters learn |
what the danger of the situation is, |
realize what better country schools
would mean and how they can be OBJ |
tanned, there's no doubt that the dan
ger will retreat baffied and beaten as
did the earlier enemies of the state.
Another important factor in the sit
uation is the character of the new
state official who has taken up their
cause. Miss Lucia inherits from gener-
alton after generation of her Vermont
family the tradition of generous, ener
getic service to Vermont. One of her
great grandfathers was Robert Haven,
the stout-hearted first settler of Roy
alton. From that day to this the fam
lily has always owned land and lived
in Vermont and struck sturdy roots
deep into the Vermont tradition of
courage, plain living and intelligent
work for the common good. Another
great grandfather founded and was
first president of Dartmouth, which
gives an educational background to
the family, but as though they feared
this might lead to impracticality, an
other great grandfather turned to the
business world, founded and was first
president of the Vermont Mutual Fire
lns. Co. Miss Lucia's grandfather was
Tor many years state librarian, as well
as prominent attorney in Montpel. !
er, her uncle was author of the Yer
mont photography. Miss Lucia's ia
her, Joel II. Lucia. Middlebury grad
nate. a Civil war hero, was on Cover 2
ior Washburn's staff and for several
rears chairman of the Republican Con-
yrcssional committee of the second
congressional district.
Public service is family tradition /
Ind Miss Lucia has lived up to il. For
Y years she has been identified with
he Montpelier public schools and Is
ears principal of the primary schools e
las built up the primary department 5
o one of the best In the country. has q
Town herself and made the Montpel- i
er schools grow up TO a higher and Il
higher standard of efficiency, intelli. @