Litchfield enquirer., 1838-08-23
ADDRESS
To tie People Of Coansctica b. the Commissioner Of
Common SclioolR

Nb1181OD CCA0OtSs
FellosD Cittzens The undersigned were eorstitut.
ed by the Legislature at its last session. The Board Of
Commissioners ct Common Schools and the duties
were pointed out which they would be required to per-
form. In entering upon the discharge of these Duties
they feel deeply their responsibility, and must rely
the cordial support and cooperation Of the public, to
carry into effect the great object Of their appointment
pose With it, under the blessing Of Providence, hey
look forward to the most cheering results.
n 1t is made the duty Of the Board, to submit to the
General Assembly an annual report, containing, to-
gether with account Of their own doings-First, a
statement as far may be practicable, Of the cond-
ton OF every Common School in the State, and Of the
such plans for the improvement and better organiza-
ton of the Common Schools, and all such matters re-
atng to popular education, as they may deem exped
The Board are, ALSO authorized if they see fit to do
it, to require of the school visiters Of the several
school societies, semiannual returns Of the condition
OF each Common School within their limits And
they shall prescribe the form Of all such returns. and
the time when the same shall be completed, and
transmit blank copies Of the same to the Clerk ofeach
school society: And said Board may appoint their
own Secretary, who shall devote his whole time it
required, under the direction Of the Board TO ascer-
tain the condition. increase the interest," and promote
the usefulness OF Common Schools.
You will see from this, that the duties imposed upon
the Board, are OF no common magnitude: II is true,
they clothed with no official authority, to make
the least alteration in the system of Common Schools
now in existence, or to add to it, in its various modes
Of action, any thing in the way OF law or regulation,
of their own deyising Wherever is found exped,-
the constitutional organ of their power-the Legisla-
ture which they themselves create. The powers, if
they may be so called, Of the Board OF Commissioners
Of Common Schools, simply to ascertain for the
norma ton OF the Legislature, at its annual sessions
and of the citizens generally, what has been done,
m
the State, and to suggest any improvements which,
from their inquiries and reflections, aided by the
| experience Of the community around them, may ap-
| tn he md rfJc
For these important purposes such Board as that
which is now constituted, with an intelligent and eff
was
in the remoter sections Of the Union are waking up
to the consideration of their vital interests in the still
more general diffusion Of useful knowledge, and ofthe
the great mass OF the people One after another they
are constituting. for the accomplishment OF this OBJ
lect distinct bodies Ct men, and appointing the proper
to these mighty concerns his entire time and talents
Surely, then, Connecticut, whose very name calls up
before the mind the whole subject Of @ 40 .s shGo
anxious to know where she stands in this onward
march intellect; whether she is fully keeping pace
Rd wseasr ss a lone
past felt herself authorized to claim and which has
not been denied her. =,
She ought to know, and that speedily, the actual
dignity and her welfare to know it 1t her schools
are in sound and Furnishing condition; if the sys-
Wisely
il, while all the world around her, the States Of our
own country. and the very monarchies OF Europe,)
are claiming to make great and important improve
ments in the department q popular education, tneSe
to her old and long used then sne ought 70
know it, that she may justify herself to the world and
to se5 ay
perna city and vgor. But she cannot know this,
without faithful inquiry into the state Of the schools
%aads there Ia. been q"
mentality for making it. The investigations at varl-
GUS times attempted, have been very incomplete
suit in having an appropriate individual devoted to
this inquiry, acting under the direction OF the State,
and now caee by the late act OF the Ieglsa-
ture under Board Of Education will ever effect this
But if, on The other hand, the result Of such in
quiry should be, that, with all the acknowledged and
Common Schools is susceptible Of some notifications
and improvements-tha there are some evls III It's
practical operations to be remedied-and that now s
the proptous time to attend to the subject no good
CITIZEN thinks will regret that such an inquiry has
been made. We shall, then, be sure Of arriving a.
the knowledge of the facts in the case. This VIII
sue Of the Investigation Ii few have decried
schools too much, it will show them their error and
some have regarded system as perfect one, II
may lead them to that every thing that is human
has its defects, and that it is the part OF true WISDOM
as well in States in individuals to ascertain their
deecs, and apply the safe and judlclous remedies
Facts are what we want, and the sooner We can pro-
cure them, The sooner we shall be able to carry for
tenn Of Common School instruction, whether it re:
mains in it's present form, or receives some partial
modification.
Impressed with these truths, and believing, that
thew viii be fully appreciated by the people large,
The Board Of Commissioners of Common Schools are
for the ui6lment Of the trust reposed in hem will
meet the expectations Of the friends Of popular educa
ton throughout the State. In carrying out these
yerv much on their Secretary His personal agency,
calling into exercise all the suggestions which the
Board may be able to impart all the resources Of his
own talents and observation, and the counsels OF the