The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-12-16

ways was lne udy WHICH, unuer lHe present
School law, the first triennial vote of the
citizens of accepting Districts was taken, to
ascertain whether the system should be
continued or not. Though that question
was submitted to the people in large num-
Der of Districts, yet the Superintendent has
not been officially informed of the rejection
of the system, by single accepting Dis
trict. Doubles there aressome, tbut their
proportion must be small, inasmuch as 725
of the 1000 districts in the State, have since
the fist Monday in June, entitled them
selves to the receipt Of the State oppropria-
ton for the present year, by levying the
necessary tax, and have actually received
their money. OF the remaing Districts
rs were accepting last year and had the sys-
tenn in operation then. If one-third of
these, and that is large estimate, rejected
the system in May, still so remain, which,
added to the number of paid accepting
Districts, will give 775 as the whole pres
eft number of accepting districts, leaving
225 still opposed to the system, OF the
number which have been paid, 80 have now,
for the first time; accepted. 1t will thus be
perceived, that the Common School Sys-
TEN has more than maintained its ground
through the test of the trlennial question Of
its continuance or rejection, by the districts
which have tried the experiment.
One parto of the school law is much COM
planned of. A mere majority of the votes
polled in a district, no matter how small the
number of persons voting, has the effect of
accepting the system and fastening it upon
the District for three years tho on the other
| n 20 fsio ,f oil
qualified citizens of the district to discontin-
ue it when once in operation. This is
wrong. would therefore recommend that
the law be modified that the system shall
not 90 into operation at all hereafter, except
with the consent of clear majority of all
the qualified citizens of the district
The appropriation of the school house
fund of last session has had a most salutarv
effect. Permit me to leiterate the reconi-
mendatiOns then made in favor of per-
manent addition of$l00,000 year to the
ordinary annual appropriation for the pur-
pose of instruction. This sum will raise
the permanent appropriation to $500, 900
and will enable directors during the next
three years to carry on their operations,
and to test the experiment. fully without hea.
wy taxation. If, Notwithstanding this adj
ton, the system be discontinued by the
people; at the end of that time, the Legis
lature will not have to reproach themselves
with its failure. IF it be admitted tha
wholesome cultivation Of the moral anC
mental faculties, not only raises the char
acter, increases the happiness, and perpet
yates the liberties of nation, but actuall,
adds to its wealth, by bringing the best eli
ergies of the mind and all the stores of ex
, perience and science to aid the practica
, business of life, no other appeal need b,
, made in favor of Common School Educa
l ton. Additional appropriation, ifit be gran
ted, should be SO made that correspondent
{ increase of school tax shall not be necessa
= ry to obtain it.
: For further information and plans for tn
Y improvement of the system, | would re
spectlully refer the Legislature to the re
e port of the superintendent, which will b.
submitted at the proper time. 1t will be,
G trust unnecessary to bespeak your favora
: BILE attention to the suggestions of that off
i Ger.
The system of Internal Improvement Tla
: heretofore been the chief draft upon tn
Y Treasury. 1t is now about becoming II
t man reliance. Forum ately, owing to tn
: Just though incomplete distribution of tn
il National Surplus means among the states
S and to the failure of the overgrown apprC
/. priation bill of last session, which w0ul
G not only have exhausted the Treasury, BIT
= as events have turned ont, would have al
O ded another million to the State debt, tn
i Treasury, is now in condition to carr
q ON the public works with all necessary V
n gor,. and without resort to permanent loa
{. or taxation.
IS The revenue from the public works fe
r, $324,549 81 short during the past year
e the estimate of the Canal Commissioners
J. Its actual amount was 1915, ,35O,49. 81
all who are conversant with the matter al
convinced that il would have been 81 300
Is 600 if the paralysis of last May had nj
u lsllen on the energies Of trade. The e.
: innate of the Board, for the present year,
/ 81 400, 900 in which concur; believin
also, that tho it cannot fall materially sho
z of that sum, no matter how adverse iii
; state general business may become, it may
and probably will reach 81, 800 900, if I'll
is usual degree of prosperity be restored {
; the-country. The tolls of last month alon