Litchfield enquirer., 1837-02-23
Fer tAs LitcAGsld Enquirer. ,

liberal frovsion which has been made for the support and maintenance of these schools is justly esteemed the pride and glory of State. Through this prOvi- sion the means of education are brought as were, to the door of every family and its privileges and bes- sings preferred to every child and youth who is so for tunate as to have dressderice within our borders.
 Where then arises the complaint, which 90 often strikes oHr ears that our common schoOls~in charac ter-fall far below the wants ana spirit of the age suffer in comparison with those of on- sister States and by many of most esteemed citizens are regar- ded-practically at eastaas hfwofthy their support Many causes might be mentioned which contribute their influence to produce this result. But one of the most prominent, perhaps te most promHenti IS that these schools are committed the of rrcspon sibIe board of supervisors visitors they term ed would not be understood that these visitors irresponsible men in the common acceptation of the term. But only that an important trust is committed to them involving arduous abors which they are ex- pected to perform without compensation that they invested with discretionary and unlimited powers; and yet not made accountable or responsible to any one for the manner in which they discharge the duties of this trust exercise these powers nay they are not required even to certify that the duties invov- ed in their appointment have been discharged in any manner. r-
 But will be said that these men are responsible to public opinion, and this is sufficient. It is all the re- sponsbity that republican institutions require of ma ny of their tunctonaries and further that the gener al interest which is felt in the subject of education is quite sufficient to ensure faithful performance of duty. ...
 This doctrine, confess looks very we'll in the ab- sract. But what is the practical illustration which we are compelled to witness? This board of over- visitors is the guardian of schools as it spects the introduction of competent teachers The powers with which they are invested are unlimited and discretionary. A certificate of approval from this board IS all that IS necessary to the admission of any person teacher in any district school. No ba- sis is fixed the foundation of this approval either as respects moral character, or necessary qualifications
 Under these circumstances district selects teach- for their school and he is brought before this board -or committee selected from their number-for ex- animation. He can read plain simple style of compo- sition to be understood; his specimen of hand writing is egbe, though by means easy he spells most of the few words propounded to him for that pur pose but of the systematic construction of language he knows little or nothing; his opportunities for quiring knowledge of geography have been limited, ard is long since he has refreshed his mind this subject, and can answer few no questions; he can perform few operations the slate in the simple ground rules of arithmetic, without being able at all to give a reason why certain process ends in given result. Still, however, the board are told that the scholars in said district all smal and it wont be expected that grammar, geography or arithmetic will be taught in the school; thatitis difficult to find teach ers especially such as can be reached by the means of the district; and perhaps, that unhappy divisions have existed among them; but in this man they are united, and will be much disappointed he is not ap proved. Here we the force of public opinion-to which alone they responsible upon these men to overcome their interest in the advancement of education and having special prov"or of law on which to lean for support under this pressure they yield force and the approval is obtained Hence it is that the incompetent often gain admission our schools as teachers.
 And here too is it that the drunkard the liar, and the proane-publicly SO reputed-have not in all ca ses been excluded. This may bc thought an over. drawn statement but though hope and believe such cases are not of frequent occurrence, and am aware have only presented the dark side of the subject, yet so far have testified, lhavc not spoken at random FARMER
 FOR THE ENQUIRER.
 We perceive by recent notice in one of the pa. pers issued by "he Democracy" that Matthew Mi ncr, Esq. this honor Judge Fenn Puff presiding has heen nominated for Senator of the 10th Senatorial Dis trict; and VIC presume, from the fever and ague of the language, that the communication containing the notice of that nomination is from the pen of that else and erude writer his honor the presiding Judge of the meeting.
 His honor euogising our worthy cousin Matthew! think of that! All the fine malicious stories thou hast told of thy worthy brother are to pass for nothing tlen thou sweet creature of Bombast; he belongs to the