The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-08-30

and under 16, who were in this State,
in l84O. 1t thus appears, that the
proportion between the number of
children of fit age TO be in school,
and the number of the whole popua-
ton, was, very nearly, as 1 to 3. That
we may rely on this as a correct ratio,
cannot doubt, for the reason that it is
fully corroborated by actual enumera-
tions, which have been made in other
States of the Union, where the ratio
between children and adults would
most naturally be about the same as in
this State.
A comparison Of the census OF this
State taken in 1880, with that taken
in 1920, shows that in the intervening
10 years, the increase of our popula-
ton was 81 per cent. A comparison
of the census of 1910, with that OF $50,
shows an increase in the interval, OF
GO per cent. 1t is not improbable
thgt the same ratio ofincrease has con-
tinued to the present time. simp-
ly assume, however, that, during the
half of 10 years, that has elapsed since
the census of $40, our population has
increased 25 per cent, which is equiv
alent 10 ratio of only about so per
cent fol 10 years.
The white population in 1910 was, l,5O2.l22
Add rs per cent, 375,5SO
And we have total of l,S77,652
Now apply the ratio of | to 8, which
we have already verified, and we ar
rive at the fact that there are, at this
time, at least, 100000 persons in the
State of Ohio, who are between the
ages of4 and l6. This means that
there are 100000 minds in the State,
which ought to have the benefit OF
schools, and for the proper culture OF
which, the people OF Ohio are respon-
sible.
1t was a part Of the duty Of the Off
GERS, who took the national census OF
1870, to ascertain in each State, the
number of scholars annually attending
the primary schools. In the State Of
Maine, in a total white population OF
5OO,438, those officers reported as be-
ing in the primary schools l64,477
scholars. These we're about one-third
Of the population. At the same time,
in the primary schools Of the State Of
Ohio, thew found but 2l8,6O9 scholars,
or only about one-seventh OF the popu-
lation. Had the children ofOhio been
as we'll cared for as the children OF
Maine, the number found IN oar prima-
ry schools would have been nearly
100000.
How many are now in attendance,
in the course of year, upon the prlma-
ry, or common schools of this State, is
as have already intlmated, a question
which cannot be answered, because it
is not subject upon which our laws
secure to us any reliable statistics.
But as it is very certain that our system
of education has not improved during
the last five years, we cannot but feel
assured, tina! if we could procure the
statistics of the present time, they
would be found quite as discredltable
as those of | $40.
By the laws of Ohio, the Secretary
of State is nominaIly the superin;en-
dent of common schools. In his last
annual report upon the condition of our
common schools, this officer has given
us all the statistics obtained by him for
the past year, but they are so mlsera-
bly, meager and incomplete, as to be
utterly useless, except, as by that very
fact itself, they show that our system
of education needs the helping hand OF
reform.
The whole number Of scholars, which
the secretary has given any account of,
as attending our common schools, is
only 56,5l7. He had received no re-
ports from nearly half the counties in
the State, and the unsatisfactory char
acter of the reports, which he did re-
ceive, may be judged Of by that from
Franklin county, in which there were
reported, for the year 1914, 1852 school
districts, with only CT schools, and
but sos scholars in attendance. Yet
Franklin County has within it, at least,
10000 children, who ought to be at
shool, and there was appOrtioned to it,
for school purposes, during the last
year, nearly 1000 dollars of public
money.
In facts like these, the patriot and
the philanthropist have food tor deep
and anxious reflection. While it is
with pain that commend them to your
consideration, it is with sincere earn
estness ask you, "Hoo long shall
these things be?' +,
NV Your fellow citizen, r,a
tAl ~ t'e~ JOHN LUTHER.
A STORY Y OF THE REVOLUTION.
xlIn Hxto