The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-08

and the inhabitants of districts conceived their duty full
filed by sending their children when convenient to the
school, and punctualy paying their quota Of the tax
rate bill when called upon for that purpose No opporiu.
ntywas afforded fer comparing the condition Of the school
with that Of Others rcmote and each teacher for
the brief period embraced in his contract with the dis
trict, without supervision, encouragement advice,
only passed through tedious and monoonous routine OF
unintegihe and consequently undressing exercises
After nterv al OF three four months another teacher
was employed and the same process repeated with snch
practicable method for another. The profession of the
teacher became too often but without cause disrepntabe
the school house byword OF repulson- and the dis
rict school SYNONYMOUS with all that vulgar low
immoral and degrading. The repeated and convincing
testimony Of individuals and public officers and the
observations and experience Of all who have had the
means of knowing the conlition OF the schools, in
the greater portion Of the districts of the State, well
corroborate the truth Of the picture here reluctantly
drawn. That there has not been gradual and steady
improv in their condition. Notwithstanding the OBJ
stacles they have had to encounter would be equally
unjust and untrue TO assert but under the disadvantages
inseparabe from total absence Of public private super
vision that thorough and complete elementary education
which the policy and design of our system OF pub
been almost universally withheld"
The report then states that through the medium Of
efficient county aud town supervision have succeeded
in not only preparing the way for corps Of teachers
ual and moral instruction, but also in demoshng The
barriers which have hitherto prevented all in
unication between the several dsricts-at an
extended feeling of interest has been awakened and that
the trustees and inbabtmts beginning to visit
the scholastic encourage the exertions OF the teachers
teachers"
A pleasing feature Of the prosperity of the system is
exhibited the increased reading amongst the
pupils Good facilities exist to the qualification of this
commendabe desire, the aggregate number of volumes in
the district Libraries amounting TO as much as S15 900
But whilst agree with the author that the choice OF
books suited to the different ages and degrees Of advance
men of the pupils is Of leading Importance he seems to
60 too far in recommending works suited for the
most finished scholar" II must really have been slip
OF the pen to recommend works Of this kind TO be de-
posted in district lbreresr where for want Of readers
they would lie unused shelves which could be
useiully occupied by works less unpreendng II is well
however that works adapted to the mostpremature intel
ec as well for advanced minds, have been pro
which s ~ only for the nursery, and the other from
those congratulations and assumptions which adapted
only to adv anced stages OF mental progress
The report brings again before the legislature the sub
ect Of Normal Schools which, in last years al re-
port recommended for the education Of a cf
cen and superior class OF teachers and that such
would be provided by this better than by any
EUROPE. STILL II would not be wise TO introduce the
plan under any but in the most favorable circumsances
Il Is likely TO be adopted by legislature which is
more liberal la any thing than education. The sum
granted from the school fund 000 dollars gives each
OF the 657 s1 children Of the State less than 40 cents
whilst by the ast report of the University Regents the
students those universities, the OF the RICH re.
ceive annually 50 50 EACH independent Of 81 500 ap-
piled to the teachers Department.
But whilst a more wholesome and efficient state is
growngup under official diligence and spreading convic.
ton of the importance OF the education Of youthmuch
remains to be done yet. "The whole number Of school
houses says the report visited and inspected by the
Junty Superintendent during the past year,
Of which 1885 OF framed wood ia6 Of brick s23 OF