Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-03-04

decidedly favourable.
These then are the objects which the
Legislature should have in view, in the
establishment of literary fund and the
principles and purposes of the distribution
of its avails should be fixed by them, and
kept constantly within their control.
That an institution for the instruction of
school teachers is practicable seems hard
ly to admit of doubt. In such an institu-
ton the attention of the student would be |
directed to a course of reading upon the
general subject and objects of education !;
he would be thoroughly instructed in all
the branches pertaining to his profession
for such it wonld certainly become)
but more particularly to that portion of
solid and useful learning which would be
calculated to fit him to communicate the
knowledge required in our common free
schools. With such course would be
connected the distinguishing advantages
of an experimental school of young per-
sons, in which the student would have
practically set before him the kind ofman-
agement and discipline which these
schools require. The plan is extremely
simple, and conforms in all respects to
the course pursued in fitting young men
for any other professional business
happily combining theory and practice
together.
In another view of this subject, fund
for both of the objects indicated becomes
deeply important, and indeed indispensa-
BILE. 1t is known that the number Of
Academies in the Commonwealth is very
great, and that of late years the objection
has been forcibly urged against their in
crease, that they have tendency to in
jure the common schools, by diminishing
the interest taken in the welfare of the
schools in towns where Academies are
established. 1t is said, and the Commit
tee believe with much truth, that men of
wealth, who are able to educaLe their
children at these institutions, or at private
schools of high order, will rarely be dis
posed to exert their influence to obtain
generous or even barely adequate grants
of school money. There is no slight rea-
son for the apprehension, that this in in
fuence may oftentimes be exerted con-
trary way. Indeed, even partial exam
nation, the Committee believe, will be
sufficient to satisfy any one, that such has
heretofore not unfrequently been the case :;
in the experience of the past. there is a.
bundana confirmation of these views. 1t
is easy to see that as the country advan-
ces in wealth, these causes, adverse to the
interests and well being of the free schools,
must have still wider and deeper opera
ton, and unless counteracted, may even
tually weaken, if they should not abso-
lutely PROSTATE, the hopes in which the
system originated, and which have thus
far accompanied it. To avoid so unfortu-
nate result, means must be devised to
ensure, ifpossible, permanent interest in
this concern on the part of the whole peo-
pie. In the opinion of the Committee,
the establishment of the proposed fund
constitutes such means, and will fully
answer the purpose, by shielding the
common schools against the mischievous
effects which otherwise might follow too
prodigal increase of Academies and semi
naries of higher order.
The Committee, therefore, feel it to be
their duty to offer to the consideration of
the Legislature Bill making provision,
prospectively, for the purposes set forth in
this Report. The fund, it is true, may
not be available for some time to come |;
but the Legislature and the community
cannot fail TO see the Importance of no
longer delaying the commencement of the
work, and of putting it at once in the
train of successful operation.
The bill accompanying this report provides that
the Governor, 1t. Governor Secretary, and Trea-
surer of the Commonwealth, be Commissioners to
manage fund to be called the Massachusetts, Lite
rary Fund-that this fund be appropriated to the
endowment of Institution for the instruction of
school teachers in each county, and for the aid and
encouragement of common schools provided that no
appropriation shall exceed the amount raised by in
dividuals or towns in said county-that the money
received from sales of public lands, such portion of
the Massachusetts, claim as shall be allowed, and
fifteen per cent. of the taxes on banks hereafter in
corporated, be appropriated as this fnnd-that the
fund be invested in stocks or other securities in the
name of the Commonwealth, and that an annual
exhibition be made of its condition-and that the
Commissioners have power to accept donations, &c.
for the increase of said fund.
No disposition has yet been made of this report /;
and it is doubtful whether it be acted upon at the
present session.