American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-03-02
REPORT
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


nor's message as relates TO education made the fol-
lowing report on the Goth day of January last.
"The Committee are thoroughly convinced Of
the necessity OF doing something TO improve the
condition OF schools in this state 1t is a lamenta
Ole fact, that while In some neighborhoods in differ
sn parts OF the state there schools, in others
where they are established, they are IN many in
stances, from the incompetency and immortality OF
the teachers who conduct them, in the most unpros-
porous state. This is an evil which ought to be
Temeuied at as early period, as the means of do
ing It can be commanded. But until the means are
acquired to such extent, as to be able to set
about 1t efficiently, no attempt be made, which
will not result in disappointment. Nor is that The
worst consequence that is to be produced. Fruit
less attempts viii, by uselessly dlsspating the pro-
ceeds OF funds already possessed, have the PERM
cious effect OF reardDg the time, when this desira-
bic object may be successfully undertaken Such in
deed, VIII be the consequence OF the premature ap.
preparations from the school fund.- made in the year
1917, 1918 s. 1921, under which several thousand
dollars have been expended for the education of
poor Children without materially promoting their
instruction. These children, except at schools in
few OF the towns, have been taught for such short
irregular periods, that they could not have made
any sensible progress in acquiring a knowledge OF
the first rudiments of learning. And the unequal
distribution (undesiened it is ADMITTEDLY among the
several counties, of the money appropriated by the
law OF 1921, is an additional reason why the appro-
priaton should not, in the, yet, too diminuve
state of the school fund.- be continued That fund
amounts now, with the unapproprated money in the
treasury belonging to it, to 10000 dollars, and
will produce an annual interest of 200 dollars. But
OF this sum, 5000 dollars annually, for the period
OF years, to wit, from the year 1928 to the year
1897, both Inclusive are, under the passed at the
last session of the Legislature authorizing sub
scripton TO the stock Of the Chesapeake and Della.
ware canal applicable to that improvement. The
balance, 2 200 dollars, added TO the annual proceeds
OF marriage and tavern licenses will probably make
about 5000 dollars, which sum, annually or semi
annually vested in some kind of productive stock
VIII grow TO an amount OF not less than %, 600 dol
lars II years from this time. AT the end Of which
period also, the canal having been completed, the
$4,000 collars subscribed TOR stock OF that descrjp-
iicu, viii begin to yield profit. The fund as i'll
now exists, increased by the two last named sums
will then amount TO l67 900 dollars, which sum
augmsntei by the interest annually accruinr, will
n years thereafter rise to the amount of al least
10000 dollars Whenit has accumulated TO this
sum, the interest arising thereon, enhanced still by
the proceeds OF marriage and tavern licenses, all
producing sum annually Of not less than I5,OO0l
dollars, VIII, II is believed, after the Hundreds in
the several Counties shall have been divided into
convenient school districts, be sufficient, with the
voluntary subscriptions Of the citizens in those dis
tricts to give all needful Improvement to the schools
that may De then established, and to institute such
additional schools as may be required
There ought to BE-, it is computed, not less than
500 schools 10 the state, in all Of which there is al
greater or less number Of pauper children, whose
parents and friends have not the means Of school
Ing them. $4,000 dollars would be a sum suff-
cent TO admit Of SO dollars being allotted TO The
seacher, OF every school. As in some school dis !
tricts there would be greater number of pauper
children than IN Others and consequently greater
public aid would be needed in such districts the
most eligible mode, it is conceived, of apportjon
ing that aid, would be on an account being first ia
ken OF the paupcr children in the several districts
not to allow the teachers an equal sum, but to com
pensate them according 10 the number of pauper
children taught by each. In this way might al
school be maintained in every school district. and
IN every season OF the year Although at present
there De in some neigborhoods several Of the in
habisants who have children they are able to school,
YET there being an insufficient number 10 support
teacher they are obliged to do without any, or to
send their children to schools at an inconyenient
distance. Now In all such neighborhoods, could
teachers receive small compensation for instruc-
ting pauper Children il would put it in the power
OF persons who are able pay for schooling theirs
70 employ them.
The General Assembly which passed the law in
1896 tor creating the school fund, might probably
nave had some such plan as this in contemplation.
u IS quite certain they could not have been so Wis
ionary, as to suppose that this school fund would,
from the few and slender sources of revenue assign
ed IT, have in any reasonable time so accumulated,
as to afford an interest sufficient to establish all the
new schools that might be found necessary and to
support those already instituted, in the several
tiuhdreds OF the respective Counties in the state.
= sum 70 be commensurate with that object should
amount to nearly, if not quite 10000 of dollars.
as there Is no probability that the school fund,
however carefully managed will ever rise to that
amount or it it should, the day must be far distant
may be Justly inferred that by "the establishment