Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-10-01

I
many teachers will be wanted TO supply III
State. The answer will depend in a greu
measure upon what will be found 10 be tn
disposition of the schoolable" childre
throughout its area. A mode of ascel
tanning this is proposed elsewhere in lhi
letter, but, in the meantime, there are dat
which will afford an approximation to tn,
true answer. Ii the class Of population
Of five and under twenty years of og
were equally distributed over the Stale
then, its number being l2l ,426, and ther,
being $4,000 square miles Of TERRITORY
contained in the State, there would b.
about 2 52-l00 TO each square mile, anC
each division of 100 square miles would
consequently contain s52 schoolahle'
children. By placing teacher in each
subdivision OF 30 square miles, 63 chil.
dren would be accommodated with tuition
in each subdivision, and the greatest dis
lance of travel for any pupil TO school
would be but two miles and half The
expense of teacher being $500 per an
mum, the expense for each individual pupil
would be but $4,s4 per annum. If the
school were continued during the whole
year, bale of cotton, at cts. per lb.,
would educate child for more than four
years, and if continued but for six months,
then for more than eight years. 1t is OBJ.
vlous, however, to any one familiar with
the State that this subdivision would in
many parts be too limited. But should il
become necessary, under some circum-
stances, 10 place a school house in tho cen.
tire of areas Of 100 square miles, or more,
then the greatest distance of travel for
any one pupil would be but Eve miles, and
in that ratio for greater area, which is
not uncommon already, in the country,
and, by the introduction Of the plan Of one
school session each day, would moi be in.
The embarrassment arising
from obstacles like these can be over
come by an asccftainment of the actual
dispersion ofthe population in each county.
The previous observations are present
ed as introductory to the following
GENERAL OUTLINE OF PLAN FOR THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
IN MISSISSIPPI.
LIST There shall be established and con.
Quoted, nj the charge of the State, Nor
NAL School, in which persons Of the age
Of sixteen years and upwards, shall be adj
nitled, free Of expense for. tuition, and
for The term OF not more than two
years, IN the branches OF good English
and in the art of teaching, pro-
gided slich persons shall agree to devote
TO the business OF teaching in
he Public Schools Of this State, for the
ERIN Of al least three years after they shall
cave or become graduated al the Normal
School.
Note. This school should be located ia |
'omc central town in the State. II each
county, for example, were permitted to
Iend two pupils, there would be a school Of
Il6, which, with the annual supply from
he Public Schools, would in short time
provide tho State with teachers from It's
'wn citizens. The Nntchez Institute could
'asily supply yearly thirty persons able
nd willing 10 teach. of course il il not
Intended that the graduates Of the NormaI
school are to teach graiuiIously. For the
Normal School, the expense Of lot and
uIlding Of two rooms, would be, as have
sceriainod, a Principal at $500, and two
shers, each at $1,000 per annnm. The
whole annual expense would be but $500
o the State.
I'd. In every Incorporated town and eli
y, and in every county, there shall be kept
n each year, at the charge of the town,
ity, or county, by teachers Of competent
bility and good morals, Public Schools for
he instruction Of children Of and undor
- years Of pge, whose parents or guar.
ians reside in such town, city, or county,l
! reading, writing, English grammar, geo
rophy, arithmetic. photography, vocal mu-
ic and good behaviour, for the term Of not
,ss than six nor more than ten months.
Noie.--It will afterwards appear thai
10 plan does not design to forbid the in
lrucfion Of children in the higher branches
{ education, but is intended to at least en-
lre to all the blessing Of good, thorough {
ommon English education. This is the
eedful thing. Upon examining the pu- /
lis Of the Natchez Institute, even those /
no had been previously advanced into the I
lathematcaI studies and the ancient elias. |
CO, there was found 10 be general def 1
ency in the elementary branches, cspe, I
ally reading and arithmetic, n may ID |
resumed that these pupils have beenll
ught MS well as those 81 any other patfli
the State, The plan, also, does NOT
Iclude the establishment al present Of a
ollegc or University. Il looks with a be- I
svolent eye upon all, add not with par. (
al regard for few, and aims 10 bring
e means Of instruction, as near 90 may
b, 10 the homes ofihe children, ana moi 10
rec them TO seek il at distance. In.l
sed, il Is tho want Of Public Schools here