Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-12-13


and higher responsibilities. The very geni
us and spirit ef cur institutions require
that pHblic system of instruction shoult
be kept open and free to alb placing thost
in the most humble walks OF life upon tht
same platform and equal footing with thost
! who are IN more fortunate circumstances
elevating the intellectual, moral and socia
condition of the mass of the people, and
perpetuating that degree of moral, intel
lectual and social equality, which is essen
tial alike to the permanency Of our govern
ment, and the happiness of our people.
The great conservative influence OF a
public system Of education on the future
destiny3f our country was fully apprecIa-
ted by the eminent statesmen who framed
the first elements Of our civil Institutions.
1t was provided in the Ordinance Of 1881,
Ter the government Of the Territory north
westof the Ch;oriVer, hat''religion, mOrali~
ty and Knowledge, beng necessary to the
good government and the happiness OF
mankind, schools and the of educa-
ton shall forever be encouraged" In tae
organization of our State government, this
provision was, in substance copied into the
bill of rights, and now constitutes part OF
the Constitution of the State, imperatively
enjOining upon the representatives. OF the
people, that "schools and the means OF in
ST uctlon should ioreveri,a encouraged by
hgislaiiVe preUiSjoa, where not inconsistent
with the rights of Conscience" The sub
iect Of education has been urged upon the
consideration Of the Legislature in almost
every annutl message Of the Governor
since the oHginoI the State Government.
The solemn injuctons Of the tundamen-
tai laws CT tie state, which it is Oursworn
dgty 70 support, and the warning voice Of
every successive supreme executive officer
OF The State, ought not to he treated as
mere ccrcnonious formula, entitled to but
sigh and superficial attention. They are
the authoritative and living PromuI cations
Of pu lie sentiment, expressed in charac-
lers as visible and impressive as if written
in stars on the arch Of the armament,
70 the mode Of instruction, djcipIne and
training givenlo the juvenile portion of cur
population we are to look Tor the model Of
The future character OF our people and the
elempnt4 which will control the future des-
tiny of our Republic 1t is to this source
that we are toiook for the formation Of that
elevated standard Of intellectual superioii-
ty, moral excellence and public virtue,
which shall preserve our ccuary From ig o.
rance and super8tition--stay the tide OF
corruption usually flowing from a dense
population, and rescuc oar posterty from
the intellectual and physical degenerocy
so commonly produced by luxury and its
enervationB, after contInu0nccoi nation
al prosperity.
The system Of common schools, in this
Slate, athough productive Of much bcne-
fit, and in'its general provisions well adapt
ed 10 the accomplishment Of its objects, is
yet susceptible OF very great improvements.
The fact cannot escape the most snPerIi-
ciaI observation, that great ineiiciency
and want Of energy exists IN its execution
and management, and that during the
last two or three years it has been retro
gadinS, instead OF progressing towards
higher degree of perfection. | lave nc
hesitation in saying, that if oar system O
common school instruction were conduct
ed with proper efficiency, and under the
improved regulations and modes OF teach
ing at this time in use in some other
places, that greater benefits would he de-
rived from half our expenditure OF time
and money, Thr Secretary Of State, and
several county Auditors, to whom the gem
ttroi superintendenCc Of our present com
mon school system is at present intrustcd,
have doubtless performed their respective
duties with fidelity, and done all which
could reasonably he expected from them;
but their time and attention has chiefly
been occupied by the olher and more ap-
proprate duties Of their Offices. | submit
to your consideration the propriety Of ap-
pointing State Superintendent Of com
mon schools, and of authorizing the eiac-
ton of county superintendent, by the
people OF each county, for the purpose OF
giving greater efficiency to the system by
having the exclusive attention OF the su-
perintendpnts devoted to the management
and Improvement of this important branch
Of the public service, ] entertain no dovht
| bat that the appointment Of these officers,
and the payment Of competent salaries ioI
them out OF the school funds, would prove
matter of economy, in the management
ofschoo funds, for the cause OF education
A great want OF punctuality hos'eXisted II
the reports of information required lly law
to be made from the several school districts
and townships. This neglect OF duty
might be ciIecWally remcdied, 10y PROV
sion requiring the necessary reports to b.
made, before a school district or TOWNSHIP
should be permitted to draw its proportion
OF the public money.
The subject OF normal schools or sem
nnres for the education of teachers, 'ls al
tracing much attention in several Of tn
States of the Union, and in other countrie'
and by the pre-omment adw.htoets o
=. forded 10y this means for advancing I'll
cause of education, il commcnds itself
your favorable consideration. Department
; for the education Of professional teacher
in the Ohio aud Miami Universities, couI
; he established under the authority of ii
State, ard by part Of the means derive
from the large endowments which thes
institutions have received from The 60,
Z ernmeut.
S G7ho tolIouinp stntnnent will show y