American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-02-17
REPORT
OF TIE SCHOOL COMMITTEES


nor's message as relates education made the fol-
lowing report OF the 26th day of January last.
"Ihe Committee are thoroughly convinced of
the necessity OF doing something 10 improve the
condition OF schools in this state. Ii is lamenta.
Bile tact, that while In neighborhoods in differ
ent parts OF the state there no schools, in others
where they are established, they are in many in
stances, from the incompetency and immortality oil
the teachers who conduct them in the most unpros-
porous state. This is an evil which ought TO be
Temedled at as early period as the means of do
ing II can be commanded. But until the means are
acquired TO such an extent, as 10 be able to set
about it efficiently, no attempt can be made, which
Will not result 10 disappointment. Nor is that the
worst consequence that is to be produced. Fruit
less attempts, will by uselessly dssipatng the pro-
ceeds OF funds already possessed, have the perni-
cious effect of retarding the time, when this desra
Bile object may be successfully undertaken Such in
deed, will be the consequence ofthe premature ap-
preparations from the school fund, made in the wear
1917, 1878 & 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
lew OF the towns, have been taught for such short
irregular periods, that they could not have made
any sensible progress in acquiring knowledge OF
the first rudments Of learning. And the UNEQUAL
distribution Undersigned il is admitted) among the
several counties, OF the money appropriated by the
law OF 1921, is an additional reason why the appro
prlation should not in the, as yet, too dmnutive
state OF the school fund, be continued That fund
amounts now, with the appropriated money in the
treasury belonging to 1t, to 10000 dollars, and
VIII 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 wear
1927 both inclusive, are, under the act passed al the
last session OF the Legislature authorizing sub
scription to the stock of the Chesapeake and Della
ware canal, applicable to that improvement. The
balance, 1900 dollars, added 10 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 gro" 10 an amount OF not less than % 900 dol
lars IN years from this time. Atthe end of which
period also, the canal having been completed, the
$4,000 dollars subscribed for stock OF that cescrp
lion, VIII begin to yield profit The fund as i'll
now exists, increased by the two last named sums,
will then smount to 10000 dollars, which sum
augmented by the interest annually accruinp will
IN years thereafter rise to the amount of at least
10000 dollars. Whenit has accumulated 10 this
sum, the interest arising thereon enhanced still by
the proceeds OF marriage and tavern licenses. ali
producing sum annually of not less than Is cool
dollars will, It is believed after the Hundreds in
the several Counties shall have been divided into
convenient school districts, be sufficient with the
trics to give all needfu improvement to the schools
that may be then established and to institute such
additional schools as may be required
There ought 10 be, il is computed, not less than
SUI schools IN the state, in all OF which there is a
greater or less number OF pauper children. whose
parents and friends have not the means of school |
ing them $4,000 dollars would be sum suffi
Gent TO admit OF so dollars being allotted to the
teacher, Of every school. AS in some school dis
tricts there would be greater number OF pauper
children than In others, and consequently greaterl
public aid would be needed in such districts the
most eligible mode, 1t is conceived, OF apporon-
ing that aid, would be an account being first Ia
ken OF the pauper children in the several districts
not to allow the teachers equal sum- but to COM
pensate them according TO the number of pauperl
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 be in some neigborhoods several of the in
habilans who have children they arc able to SCHOOL,
yet there being an insufficient number 10 support
teacher they are obliged 10 do without any, or to
send their chdres to schools at an inconvenientl
distance. Now in all such neighborhoods, could
teachers receive small compensation for inslruc-
ing pauper children, it would put it in the power
o persons who are able 10 pay for schooling theirs
10 employ them.
The General Assembly which passed the law in
1926 Tor creating the school fund, might probably
have had some such plan as this in contemplation.
II 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 H. have IN any reasonable time so accumulated,
as TO afford interest sufficient to establish all the
new schools that might be found necessary, and to
support those already instituted, in the several
Hundreds 9th respective Counties in the state
a sum to be commensurate with that object, should
amount TO nearly If not quite, 100000 of dollars
As there Is no probability that the school fund
however carefully managed, will ever rise to that
amount, or II It should the day must be far distant
of schools 10 the several Hnndr.a e IL ..