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each for the second ten, and so on to the maximum number. The rule
adopted for the distribution of Books is to sell them, except in such eases as
are otherwise provided for by the law.

The aggregate amount paid for salaries during the term ending November
15th, was thirty-two hundred and eighty-seven dollars and fifty cents. The
amount paid for incidental expenses was seven hundred and seven dollars
and thirty-two cents.

We think the New School Law a good working system, and most admira-
bly adapted to the ends proposed. It is a good working system, because
what it "conceives in theory, it provides the most suitable means for carrying
out in practice. The modes of supervision we think most beautifully and
admirably adjusted—showing a complete adaptation of means to ends. The
requirement that the President shall visit each school every term, or as often as
practicable, and that each Commissioner shall do the same as regards each
School in the District, is well calculated to give vitality and energy to the
Teachers and Scholars—it awakens a sense of responsibility on the part of
the Teacher that will net suffer him to slumber at his post and must
ultimately tell on the progress of the Schools and the interest of public
instruction in the County. This is not a mere speculative view—it is the
result of my late experience when visiting the Schools of the County.

I am hardly prepared to suggest any alterations or amendments to the law,
but it seems to mo, among so many excellent provisions of the law, it should
have provided for an annual gathering at some central point—say the County
town—of all the Scholars, attended by their Teachers. On this occasion
there should be suitable refreshments for the children, as an additional induce-
ment for them to look forward to it with pleasure. The time might be so
arranged as to make it convenient for the State Superintendent, if not the State
Board, to be present, who might improve the occasion by a suitable address
to the Teachers and Scholars. It would be an interesting occasion to all
parties to review a procession of two thousand children—to myself it would
be an occasion of very deep interest.

It is a question with me, whether it would not be expedient to provide by
law for a compulsory attendance on Schools during a certain part of the
year. There are very many parents who will not send their children to any
School, without some well regulated legal compulsion. I know many such—
reprove them for it, and their reply is. that they are so poor they can't
dispense with the services of their children, even for a short time—that con-
stant labor is indispensable to make bread for their necessary support; but
the truth is. much of their time is spent in idleness. We regret to inform
you that our late Hoard of County Commissioners failed to do their duty by
not levying the local School tax of- twelve cents in the one hundred dollars.
The law requires it to be collected for two years, and after January 1st, 1867,
to be continued; provided the people so determine at their general election
in November, 1866. On what pretext these gentlemen justify the course
they have pursued we are at a loss to determine. We think their conduct
unjustifiable, whether considered with reference to their omission to perform
a plain duty under the law—the rights of the School Commissioners, or the
spirit which dictated it. The effect is—they have taken the the responsi-
bility of withholding from fifteen hundred to two thousand poor children of
the County from two to two and a half months of necessary instruction to
which they were justly entitled, in direct violation of a well denned
public law.

We have received from the late Treasurer of the School Fund five thousand
four hundred and thirty-eight dollars and five cents; from the Clerk of the
County for Dredging Licenses, one hundred and seventy-eight dollars and
seventy-five cents: —assuming that we shall receive from the State Treasurer,