The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-02-16
Stearns Declares Former
Commissioner Tried to
Wreck Normal School
PRES. OF u. V. M.
IN TELLING SPEECH
Important Debate on Yer
mont Teacher Training
System Was Held

IL.
IS. 44 rang the changes on the edu-
cational problems OF Vermont last
night before the House and Senate
committees, Senator Bryant OF Wind.
sor county presiding.
In addition to his own spectacular
speech in behalf of his own bill Mr..
Stearns sprung a surprise on his oppo-
nents by introducing Miss Helen Wins
low of Boston, celebrated authoress and
native OF Westfeld, who made a NOV
ing appeal for the normal schools as
instruments of rural culture and giving
poor girls from back towns an opportu-
nifty for an education.
President Guy w. Bailey of the Uni
yersity of Vermont also scored heavily
by prefaeing his argument with warm
tribute to John NJ Thomas ii Middle
bury college, soon to leave the state to
become head of the state university in
Pennsylvania.
Il do not intend to enter into any
unseemly controversy with DR.. Thorn.
as" said President Bailey. "Appar
emily he is much disturbed about the
obvious trend of educational matters,
but he is about to leave Vermont after
wears of invaluable service to his Alma
Mater and the state, and i take this
occasion to Join with his many friends
in extending most kindly fluctuations,
not only because Of his - years of
service in Vermont in many fields Of
endeavor, but also because of the con-
elusive recognition which has come to
him from a strong state university in
a sister state"
The applause that followed showed
that the audience at least appreciated
the splendid craftsmanship of the trib
ute, coming after the scathing arraign
ment which DIR. Thomas gave the Uni
versity of Vermont last week.
Miss Winslow. who has not forgot
ten the Westfield directors of speech
and the dry wit of the native Vermont
er, told of her interest in the johnson
normal school. her long journey here
TO argue for its continuation.
IF it hadn't been for the johnson
normal school" said Miss Winslow
(which gave US poor girls a chance TO
get an education without going to the
big cities, don't know how we would
ever got one, | know that whatever
success | may have had owes much to
the grounding got in Johnson
women that ! talk with in Boston
ask me, What is Vermont thinking of
to discontinue her normal schools
What crazy idea has Vermont got
now | beg of you to give the poor
girls of Vermont the opportunity to
get an education within the reach of
their purses, so they will be willing to
go back to the small towns and raise
the standard of living in Vermont zap
plausel."
Miss Winslcw told Of the gradual
acquisition of the farms in Westfield
by French Canadians, many of whom
cannot read and write but who are
willing to let their children go to school
and get an education. She told of two
of such girls coming into the johnson
normal school and then going back to
do a most important and patriotic work
OF Americanzation among their PEG
pie.
Like Mr. Steans. she paid her re-
spects to DR. Hillegas. late commission
er Of education. 81 didn't believe an he
said, declared Miss Winslow, and he
knew it before" Laughter and ap-
plause followed this skit The speaker
stressed the value Of the normal schools |
in teaching the fundamentals of read
ing and writing and arithmetic and
training the teachers to go back into
the little towns and teach the children
the same.
Mr. Stearns Accused Hillegas.
Mr.. Stearns opened his big guns on
the late commissioner, DR. Hillegas, |
whom he accused Of deliberate double |
dealing in killing of the normal
schools He told of conversations in
which he alleged Hillegas had prom.
ised to continue the normal schools. |
then, when the appropriation bill was
filed in 1919, he accused the doctor Of /
leaving out the provisions in the bill |
which gave the schools the breath of
life.
The author Of the Stearns bin |
stressed the fact that under present |
when a girl or boy went to |
a big city to be educated he was not |
willing to return to the small towns
and take up the work Of teaching.
The speaker told of what johnson 1
had done for the normal school locally /
and accused the state board OF deliber. |
ately planning to centralize the whole /
system Of teacher training into Bur
lington.
He cited records OF past years, which /
ne declared showed the Vermont /
schools had graduated pupils at less
expense per head than any other state /
in the union. One particular year, &C
cording TO Mr. Steans, 70 pupils were
graduated az a cost Of Sl35 each.
1T will be a sorry day for Vermont, /
said the speaker. when we let this |
white elephant Of a teachers college /
into the big tent at Burlington" de-
clared the speaker in closing.
Pres. Bailey Warmly Received.
President Bailey was warmly re-
ceived when he rose TO defend the Uni /
versity Of Vermont He cited many 4
important facts about its service TO 4
Vermont and referred 70 the estab-
lishment Of chair Of pedagogy At the
II Y. NJ in 1907. He disclaimed any 4
lobbying in behalf Of the bill for
state teachers college and told briefly /
{ Be- oder Of the Carnegie foundation 70 4
make the state 4 present Of 100000 4
for a teachers college. provided a site
yers provided and an additional 500. /
90 raised ~ subscription One gift 81 !
$500 las already been pledged with e
uut solicitation. declared President