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evidences of efficiency or the want of it in the teachers, con-
ducting in person examinations of the classes and adding a
word of encouragement and counsel, which, I am happy to
say,, has always been received with manifestations of pleasure
and gratification by both teachers and scholars.

ADVANTAGES OF THE FEATURE OF THE SYSTEM.

This feature of the State system not only gives force and
practical efficiency to all the others, but if the duties of the
office are faithfully and judiciously performed, must result in
fixing it firmly in the affections of the people—for the indi-
cations of gratitude and, I may say, delight on the part of
the teachers, and especially the children, to find that some
one symyathizes with them in their labors and studies, are
too palpable to be misunderstood; and it requires no argu-
ment to determine the estimate which parents and guardians
will place upon a system which awakens so lively an interest
in the children, who are always eloquent and successful advo-
cates in the cause that obtains their favor.

POPULARITY OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN CECIL.

The Public Schools are the Schools of Cecil County. Pri-
vate or select schools exist to such a limited extent as to fur-
nish very meagre material for the special report called for on
that subject; and if the present system is judiciously admin-
istered and sufficient means to sustain it are secured, the
day is not far distant when they will compare favorably with
those of our sister States, where systems of some kind have
been in operation for twenty-five years and more.

STATE TAX FOR 1865.

The amount received by Cecil County from State tax for
1865, was $14,484.

LOCAL TAXES FOR 1865 AND 1866.

The local tax for 1865 was but 12 cents in the $100, and
brought into our treasury but -$9590. 'The local tax for the
present year was 20 cents in the $100, and will bring to us
some $16,300. This increased receipt from the local tax will
enable us to discharge the existing obligations which, with
interest and bank discounts, have been a heavy drawback
to us, and has induced the Board to venture the appropria-
tion of the $4,600 before named, to the erection of new
houses. The continuance of this local tax through some-
constitutional legislation, is the present point of interest.
This secured we shall have unquestioned success; without it,
failure to a great extent must unavoidably follow