1571

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to School work, and in the discharge of my duties us Super-
intendent will always give most careful attention to any sug-
gestions emanating from a body, so strictly representative, as
to the wants of the Schools in their daily work. To such sug-
gestions heed ought to be given, and from such sources advice
ought to be sought to bring School legislation out of the re-
gion of theory into that of substantive fact. As far as prac-
ticable I have attended the meetings of County and State
associations, availing myself of the opportunity to expound
the School Law, and to discuss the duties and responsi-
bilities of teachers, the proper methods of teaching, and the
correct system of discipline by which children may be made
to love school and devote themselves cheerfully to their
books.

THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.

This Institution has been in operation since. January 15th,
1866. For a detailed exhibit of its work I refer to the inter-
esting report of the able educator who presides over this im-
portant School, which is the heart of our system of public
instruction, for from it are to come the energy and intelligence
which, circulating through the school houses of the whole
State, will infuse vitality into the woik.

The law of 1865 anticipated that the Mayor and City
Council of Baltimore would provide suitable building for
the different departments of the School, and thus .secure its
permanent location in that City. Thus far nothing has been
done; but from the interest manifesfed in the subject it is
probable that the City will unite with the State authorities
in carrying out the design of the law. The School now la-
bors under serious disadvantages from lack of proper accom-
modations, both for the normal department and the schools of
practice.

By order of the State Board of Education, a large hall has
been rented at $1,000 per annum. This rent is to be charged
among the incidental expenses of the School, but no specific
appropriation having been made for this purpose, legislation
is needed to enable the State Board of Education to comply
with its contract.

The annual appropriation for the faculty is sufficient for
the present wants of the School. A special appropriation of
from 2 to 3000 dollars is needed for the immediate purchase
of modern educational apparatus. The teachers of the child-
ren of the State ought to enter upon their work thoroughly
prepared, familiar with the best modes of teaching, and prac-
tically acquainted with all the facilities for ill instituting ele-
mentary branches of study, awakening the perceptive facul-
ties of young pupils, and rendering attractive the work of the
school room.

I cannot urge too strongly the importance of fostering, by