1669

117
Due the School House Fund........................ 1,283 93

Net Amount due to Schools............. $420 25

PUBLIC SENTIMENT.

Opposition to the school system :s constantly growing less
and I do most sincerely hope that the day is fast approaching
when every parent in the County will feel that he is not fully
discharging his duty to God, to his children and to his State,
until he lends his aid, influence and moans to educate physi-
cally, morally and intellectually, all the youth, poor and
rich, in the County.

We have been asked by some, " Why were the schools con-
tinued under the old system the whole year—also last ycat
and not the coining year." We have also been asked, "Why
has the amount, appropriated to schools the past year, being
much more than former years, been ? given to the same old
teachers?" We answer, now, to the above queries: 1.
Schools, under the old system, were open only three months
according to our last report. 2. We thought that out
finances would avail us for the past year, but at its close
found them deficient $2,048 81, which could not be paid til
we received the Free School fund for 1866, a part of the
revenue for the current year. 3. We desire no better teach-
ers than some of our native teachers, who taught under the
old system. These we pay but little more than they received
by private contributions and salary under old laws. The
objectionable teachers are retained, because we could procure
no better ones out of those making applications. Expenses
have accordingly increased, because we pay higher salaries,
teach a longer time and have many more schools in success-
ful operation.

We consider these inquiries, as doubtless they were intend-
ed, more as an evidence of interest in public instruction than
as evincing a spirit of distrust or dissatisfaction.

REMARKS. • *

As the success of the schools depends, in a great measure
upon the ability and energy of the teachers, it is earnestly
urged that all those who intend to be teachers, use ever
means possible to thoroughly prepare themselves for thei
honorable calling; as it is my intention, so long ap I may b
retained as President of the School Board, to raise the stand
ard of qualification annually, till the drones of the profes-
sion are driven out and the schools filled with earnest, warm
hearted, living teachers. ,

I believe this to be the great desideratum for the future
of our schools. We need men and women who are competent