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33 course, in such an intellectual condition, there can he no lack of opinions upon any subject, and no diffidence in expressing such opinions; but no concert of action can be expected in any matter, especially in that of inaugurating' a wise system of public instruc- tion. Topic 4th. "Is there evidence of zeal in sustaining Public Schools, and a willingness to erect and furnish School-Houses?" Answer. No. As a general thing the people, are willing to send- to Public Schools, but the people are not willing- to build, repair, furnish, or in any other way aid the Public School ca,usc. They expect a perfect School system without any exertion on their part, and expect perfection at once. They think because they pay a small tax, that tax should furnish houses, teachers, furniture, and even books. Topic 5th. " The action of your Board relative to Teachers' salaries? What rule adopted fur distribution of Text-Books? Number of boys and girls attending School during Term ending Nov. 15th, 1865 ? Aggregate salary and aggregate expenses ? How long can you continue the Schools with present income '?" Answer. 1st. We pay from $35 to $50 per month, to men and women teachers alike, according to size of the School. For all up to or under thirty Scholars, $35 per month—from thirty Scholars to sixty, from $35 to $50 per month. 2d, Text-Books are invariably sold for cash, except when parents are too poor to buy, and then the books are given. 3d. Number of boys about 2,000—number of girls about 2,000; attending School Term ending Nov. 15th, 4,000. (There are more children in this Term.) 4th. The aggregate salary is about .$4.500; but the Terra was fractional, and the aggregate incidental expense is $250. 5th. We shall perhaps be able to keep our Schools going six months. Topic 6th. " Your opinion of the School Law? Is it a good working system, and adapted to your wants? What additions, alterations or amendments would you advise?" Answer. The law, in its main features, is good—requiring only here and there a slight modification to adapt it more completely to particular sections. From present experience, I am prepared to pronounce definitely only upon one or two items of amendment. 1st. Children should be compelled to go to School. It should be the duty of every Commissioner to see that every child in his dis- trict goes to some School—if not to a private, then to a Public School—and for every delinquency a heavy fine should be imposed. If this be not done, the law will, to many, be a dead letter, and the object of the State, in making the law, will be in great measure evaded. The children who do not go to any School, are just the children that will develop into men and women of whom the State needs, at any cost, to be rid. All children should be compelled to go to School at least six months in the year. Many send to School only a few weeks in winter, and the result is that many children, though nominally going to School many years, grow up and remain in absolute ignorance. 2d. The County Director, or President of the 5 |
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Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1866
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