80

throughout the district during the present year, although the
scarcity of labor renders it necessary for a number of parents
to retain their sons at home during the busy seasons; yet the
patrons of our Schools and the people generally, are becom-
ing more and more thoroughly convinced that the new system
is far in advance of the old, and though not yet perfect, it is
really doing a good work. We have now before us an ap-
plication to reopen a School which we closed the last year
for lack of patronage, and a request to place in it a classical
teacher, with a salary of between $500 and $600—the patrons
being willing to make up the deficiency by voluntary contri-
butions. In conclusion, Doctor, allow me to say that we be-
lieve the Teachers in our District, the most of whom having
had several years' experience in teaching, will compare fa-
vorably with those in any District in the County or State.
They are diligent, prompt and faithful in the discharge of
their daily labors, and we anticipate a year of unprecenden-
ted success. Very respectfully submitted by

Yours Truly,

R. G. CHANEY,

Commissioner 4th District.

It will be seen from the foregoing that we have not been
idle, and that as much has been accomplished as could be
reasonably expected within a year. We built eight new
houses, repaired twenty and newly furnished nineteen. A
few new houses are still required, so that, in a brief period,
we shall have provided the whole County with substantial
and comfortable school-houses, and if unhappily the present
system should be abolished or changed, the people will have
these excellent structures as memorials of the system of pop-
ular education now in successful operation. We cannot be-
lieve that men of culture, who have the well-being of our
State and country at heart, would abrogate or materially
modify the present system, until it has been thoroughly tes-
ted. We are confident that in a few years its operations
and results will have demonstrated its superior excellence.
That there will be found persons who complain, must be ex-
pected; not only now, but always. There are some people
so constituted, that they must grumble; whether they have
or hare not cause to do so. They would find fault with the
plumage of an angel's wings, and are thrown into paroxysms
of irritation by the moat, that floats in the sunbeam. It is
their nature to do so, and if go, let them grumble; we would
not, if we could, deprive them of that exquisite pleasure.
We will, however, do the people of our County the justice to
state, that so far as our personal knowledge extends, very
few men have found fault with the manner in which our
School are conducted.

As this report may come under the notice of teachers and