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fifteen or twenty days each school term. They expect fifty-
five days' school work to be effected in fifteen or twenty, and
blame the teacher for negligence when the fault rests with

themselves. When the expenditure employed in keeping the

schools in operation, the embarrassments to success thrown
in the teacher's path, the daily interruptions to the regular
duties of the school, and the injurious effect upon the scholar
himself, which is caused by irregular attendance and tardi-
ness, are duly considered, it cannot but awaken a deep anx-
iety for a remedy. In my opinion a circular on this subject
from the State Superintendent, put into the hands of the
teachers for general distribution, would accomplish much
towards correcting these serious evils.

In the estimated value of school property (Table D) only
that, the title to which is vested in the School Board, has
been given. The value of the entire school property of the

county would exceed sixty thousand dollars.

There are eight new school houses required to meet the
wants of a growing population in the first, second, fourth,
fifth, seventh and eighth Commissioner districts. In addition
to this, table C shows eighteen houses in ordinary and twen-
ty-seven in bad condition. To furnish these school districts
with properly constructed houses, having the necessary school
furniture, would involve an outlay of forty thousand dollars.
As the receipts and disbursements of school monies received

under the present law, leave but a very small balance to the

credits of the Board, it is evident that even a continuance of
the same would render additional legislation necessary to
meet the pressing wants, which are most sensibly felt in
those districts.

Sanguine hopes are entertained that the Legislature will
make ample provision for the comfortable accommodation of
the children of every school district in the county, and I have
no fears of their full realization. The public school hap be-
come a necessity, and those who promise to provide liberally
for its wants are becoming the most popular of our public
men.

The first year of the State school system has been a success
in our county. Erroneous impressions made upon the public

mind before the commencement of actual operations, rapidly
vanished as the working of the system steadily progressed.
It has a broader field for its action, a stronger influence ia
its favor, and more earnest advocates and supporters at the
present time, than when the school law was first submitted
to the public eye. The consciousness of these facts infuses a
fresh energy and zeal for a renewal of our labors, and we
have entered with a warmer enthusiasm upon the duties of
the second year. From our brother Commissioners, whose
experience under the old Board made them specially adapted
to discharge the duties of the new, we have received uniform