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KENT COUNTY.

Office Commissioners of Public Schools of Kent Co., Md.

Chestertoum.
REV. L. VAN BOKKELEN,

State Superintendent Public Instruction.
Dear Sir:

Trie tabular statements, herewith submitted, give so dear
an idea of the condition of the Public Schools of this County
that little need be said in addition thereto.

An examination of these tables will show that the num-
ber of pupils attending the schools has steadily increased
from the inception of the present system up to the close of
the scholastic year; and this fact should, it appears to me,
be sufficient proof that the opposition to the system, which
is undeniably strong in this County, has its origin and foun-
dation in prejudice rather than in reason.

Those who, from their connection with both the old and
new systems, are best able to judge of their comparative
merits—I mean the teachers and those who, at trustees, took
an active interest in the schools under the former regime—
unequivocally declare in favor of the present system and assert
that the schools have gained in efficiency. On the other
hand, a large majority of those who denounce the present
system knew but litte of the defects of the former, and know
nothing of the practical working of the present. In all my
visits I have not met with one of this class in the school-
room.

The complaint is loud, if for any cause, the schools are
suspended; yet if they are ia any respect worse than their
"illustrious predecessors," their entire suspension would,
I am very sure, be a public blessing. A good deal is said,
too, about the cost of the present system. We challenge a
comparison with the past. Heretofore there was uniformly
a levy on the County of $5,250, to which was added the
State fund, making nearly $9,000, and as much more by
private contributions. Nearly all the fuel was given, And
when a new store or slight repairs became indispensable, a
subscription was resorted to.

The present Board have paid $1,400 debt incurred by the
former Boards of trustees, have expended $l,100 for stores and
fuel, have paid upwards of $200 for repairs, and employed
better teachers at, higher salaries, and yet have received
nothing from the County, nor a chip of wood from any quar-
ter, nor will the Board shrink from a comparison of results.
With the funds at our command we have kept the schools in
operation ton months consecutively, which is as long as the