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flagrant wrong against God and mankind, by permitting
their political opinions to exercise a controlling influence
upon their minds, when providing instructors for the rising
generation. We never allow those questions to come in con-
flict with our duty, and we can truly affirm that we do not
know the political sentiments of any one of our teachers.
We require first of all in our teachers a good moral charac-
ter; secondly, the needful intellectual culture, diligence in
their vocation, and fidelity in the discharge of all their du-
ties.

In regard to the pecuniary considerations which some per-
sons urge against our system, we admit that this objection
has some force; but after our schools are thoroughly organ-
ized and in good working order, the expenditures in our
County will be considerably less than they are now. A large
outlay was absolutely necessary to build new houses and to
repair others and furnish them so as to make them comforta-
ble. All our new houses have vestibules attached to them ;
these are provided with shelves and racks, where the pupils
can deposit their baskets and hang their coats and shawls.

Rev. R. G. Chaney, Commissioner of the Fourth District,
presents a very gratifying picture in the subjoined report of
what has been accomplished in this part of the County.

West River Institute, Md.

Oct. 23d, 1866.
Rev. F. K. Anspach, D. D.
Dear Sir:

In compliance with your request we furnish you with a Re-
port of our (Commissioner) District.

We reopened 12 Schools in September and are happy to
state that they are all in successful operation, numbering
from 15 to 50 pupils each. During the past Summer, we
had 4 new Schools erected and several others repaired; the
carpenters furnishing everything, the School Houses cost
about $660 each, being 18x20,18x22, 20x24, 20x26 feet each.
We have had 10 Schools furnished with new desks, seats, &c.,
(Mr. Soper's patent) thus making the School by far more
comfortable and pleasant, both for teachers and pupils.

We are happy to state moreover, that we observe an in-
creased interest in oar Schools, both on the part of toothers
and patrons—the new buildings—the comfortable neat and clean
rooms, oar* camaaujmdiiuf respect. In a single neighborhood,
which we visited oa a beautiful morning last May, we found
17 pupils in 2 old. dilapidated School houses. We have now
2 new buildings with between 70 and 80 pupils registered,
and the greater number of them are in daily attendance at
School. One of the teachers informed me during our recent
visit that his school-room was really not large enough ! We
believe that there will be an increased attendance generally