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aot attend school at all, or if enrolled, are present one day
and absent ten, and who cannot under such circumstances
advance at all. These persons blame the school system, for
what their own indifference cr neglect occasions. It would
be a great thing gained, if some means could be devised to
secure a more regular, attendance. Though we have effi-
cient teachers, it is a great discouragement to them to go to
school from day to day and find their houses almost empty.
In thinking of this subject of bad attendance, another thing
presents itself to my mind, in the time of vacation. The
months of July and August do not suit us. They are the
months when our schools are generally well filled, and the
vacation comes on and breaks up the schools when in their
most prosperous condition. I would suggest the propriety
of an amendment to the law, altering the scholastic year,
and making the Winter Term the first Term of the year, be-
ginning with January and ending March fifteenth. The
Spring Term beginning March sixteenth and ending May
thirty-first. The Summer Term beginning June first and
ending August fifteenth, Vacation until October fifteenth,
then the Fall Term commencing October sixteenth and end-,
iag December thirty-first. The vacation would then be in
the sickly season. Farmers would have the services of their
children at home during a very busy portion of the year, as
they will have, whether it be vacation or not. If whenever
this plan will sot suit all parts of the State, let the law fix
the duration of the vacation, but leave the time of it to the
County Boards.

In conclusion, I am glad to be able to state, that a year's
experience, has left a favorable impression of the system, and
that all who take the pains to examine for themselves, must
be convinced, that if not successful, the system itself is not in
fault. With such amendments as your experience will sug-
gest, the law, when defective, may be made more conducive
to the wants of the people, and such things as were engraft-
ed upon it by hasty legislation, (if any such exist) may be
reconsidered and lopped off or improved.

At the late election, the following was printed upon the
tickets, "For or against the passage of a Law, restoring to
the County Commissioners, the power of Local Taxation for
Educational purposes." When the ballots were counted
twelve hundred and two votes were found to be in favor of
such a Law and sixty-five against it. I obtained the consent
of these interested, to have this matter submitted to the peo-
ple in accordance with your suggestion to that effect, and I
am happy to he able to announce to you the result.

With much respect yours,
JAMES W. THOMPSON,

President of the Board.