The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-03-17

ton on the lst Tuesday Of May, ls4O. Ths pAr,
ment Of this tax equal to 644 cents for each taxa
be will probably entitle hem beside relieving them
from the poor school tax, TO state appropriation
equal to ST for each taxable for the second YEAR
So that the payment of ST 80 for each taxable in
two years. will enable those districts to receive SIS
for each taxable, from the state, in the same time.
Hence It seems to be for the interest of the nom
accepting districts, to take the matter seriously into
dehberaton, independent Of all considerations ars-
ing from the merits or dement's Of the Common
School System.
Though the system is yet in its infancy. IL has
produced some decided and saluisry changes in the
districts which have adopted it.
The School Houses are generally much imuroved.
being either new, well repaired and more equal.
Y and conveniently located than formerly.
The compensation Of Teachers is sincreased fully
one third, and the profession is rapidly and proper
tonately rising in usefulness and independence.
The number of Children taught in the Common
Schools is at least double that of the schools which
preceded them in the same districts.
The duration Of teaching in each year is about
the same.
The hi'd Of instruction is in all cases as good;
and IN most better than in the old schools.
The cost Of teaching, notwithstanding the IN
creased compensation of the teachers-the impro-
KIND OF instruction, tits only one half Of what il was
before the system went into operation. Formeryi 4
was " % on an average over the state, now il il
sl l23 for each pupil per quarter.
In the old schools some paid for their own edu-
cation, and some were educated at the expense of
the county. This unpleasant distinction is not
found III the Common Schools. All receive the
same instruction. paid for out Of the same common
stock. There is no room, therefore, for partality
on the part OF the teacher towards particular pupils
cr OF distinction among the scholars.
But it is not on account of these, its undeniabe
fruits, that the non-acceptng districts are now adj
dressed. These facts are alluded to merely to show
that there Is no danger to the experiment The OBJ
Ject OF the Superintendent is to lay the whole mat
ter before those districts that they may act UNDER
| staHdngly on the subject, when they make their
hnal decision next spring.
AS friend he would advise all TO accept the sys-
tenn for the next two years, because at the end of
that time it be discontinued if found insufficient
In the mean time the accumulated funds of five
years will be secured and can be applied to the per-
manent Improvement of the school houses of the
District, and to fair trial of the Common School
mode OF teaching. At the end of that time, if the
system be discontinued, each District will be in pos
session OF good school houses, and of increased ex-
perlcnce in the subject of instruction which will be
amply worth the small tax paid for them.
Ii the system be accepted by any Of the districts
IN question, the Superintendent would advise that
such citizens as have heretofore been opposed to it,
but who are caadid and Intelligent men, shall be
elected directors. They will have it in their power
to keep, down the amount OF taxation and to test
the experiment in such manner as to prevent any
lmputaton Of partiality Cor the system. Such men,
also, represcntating the feelings of the majority of
| he
them, and the result whether for or against Com
mon Schools, viii be satisfactory to the district
THO. ii. BURROWS,
Superintendent Of Common Schools.
SEcRETARY's OFFICE, ,
Harrisburg, Jan. 10, 1888. :