New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-01-30
Our Common schools.

uinn claims complete Loco-Foco triumph by 2,3oo
majority which is probable. H. G.
Our Common Schools.
From petitions 70 Inc Legislature ana o'nef
sources, we learn that there is much dissatisfaction
eynced in various sections Of our State with respect
TO various features OF cur Common School system
The County Superin,epden;s the Common scnooi
Journal, the School Libraries, the Normal ocaoo'
&c &c are soyeray regarded by many citizens
with profound and nveeratc dislike, and strenuous
efforts are ben: made abolish some or oil OF them
We believe these demonstrations Of hostility are
generally grounded in imperfect acquaintance with
the features sought TO be abolished That the Coun-
ty Superintendents may often be unfit or incompc-
tent is very evident, but that good Superintendent
canno, fail to improve greatly the character and use
fitness of the Schools Of any County, we canno,
doubt The practical question, therefore, seems to
be this Have the People of our several Counties
Sufficient wisdom and virtue TO secure the appoint
xnent Of proper Superintendents land this ques-
ton we answer generally in the affirmative, though
in some instances unworthy men have doubtless
been chosen Just 20 of the School Libraries. The
books are unsuitable, unworthy, embarrassing, say
the opposers. Then do you take hold in your sew
eral districts and see that better henceorth pro-
cured we answer. The idea of Common School
Library in each School District throughout the
State is one of the noblest proofs OF Human Progress
Let it have fair play If any personal or sordd in
Huences have embarrassed its free action hitherto,
let them be sought out and remedied; bu, let us
never give up the School Libraries. Carefully
cherished and built up through the next fifty years,
they will bring stores of wisdom and knowledge TO
tl~ ,ph
ont our State Let us preserve and improve the
Library system. If mistakes in books have been
made hitherto lie, profit by them in future ad
ditions. Let US hope that the time will come when
each School District will possess its Encyclopaedia,
Its Universal History its standard works in every
department of Science and useful acknowledgement
mere abridgements but he best works OF readable
size in the language. This may be done in time by
adding few good books. or even single one, each
year. The main fault OF those hitherto chosen IS
Glghtness-they are too generally mere summaries
Of the facts or arguments they assume 10 present,
thrown together on the Reading Made.ERs prin-
ciple Perhaps this best at the outset, when il
was necessary 10 buy large number of books with
small sum- in order that each family in the Dis !
trict might have one if it saw fit That necessityis
now surmounted. however, and we trust the future
accessions to our Libraries will be composed OF
works more scientific and substantial
AS to the Normal School, we think We perceive
defects in its organization, but these seem 10 rs
clearly overbalanced by its benefits The want of
good teachers, and OF high standard of quaifca
ton for teachers. has been great defect OF our
School System hitherto. Any smartish young man
or well behaved, wedressed young woman was
supposed competent TO teach School and the pre-
cious time OF thirty forty children has often been
,houghtessly squandered on the defects OF master
Incompetent either 10 teach or 20 govern. Tins
the Normal School is doing at least something 10
rcctify and we trust il will in time do great deal.
Two or three hundred young and women,
lected from among the most promising aspirants TO
Teach in every County Of our Stale and trained
through several months by able Professors in az
that pertains the vocation, hardly fail 10 exert
saluta-y influence on The teaching and quaiitica-
lions of teachers throughout the State
Yetwc think the plan of this School susceptible Of
Improvement, We would, for example, have ii
hold four terms of twelve weeks each in four differ
ent localities of our State-say at New York, AL
bany, Syracuse or Utica and Rochester Batavia
The teachers and the instruction would be subs,an
rally the same in each; and the instruction might
very nearly be free 10 all who desired it The ser
GUS expense O: travelling to and from the School
would then be greatly reduced, and the number
laugh, would be greatly increased. We would not
have any par, of the pupils board or travelling ex-
penses paid but require of the Cities in which the
School should be located 70 see tina, some sort Of
employment were provided there by which each
pupil could earn his or her board by four hours
daily labor if he she chose 10 do so.-Perhaps II
would be better locate the most easterly session
at Newbureh or Poushkeepsie than in New-York
One practical suggestion more, aud we break
off The raie-bills by which portion of the ex.
pense Of our Common Schools is betrayed, must be
abolished. They wiring but a few pence each from
the Hesitate at the serious cost OF making the
Schools odous to the class of whom the public in
terest requires hearty attachment to the Schools
The great mass OF the expense of Education is now
borne, as it should be, by Taxes on Property. Let
as have It oil borne thus, las now in this City, and
chen the children of proud destitution will longer
be kept from School because the widowed mother
or crippled father cannot pay paltry rate. bill and
does not want to expose his poverty to unteeling
sneers Let the State raise by whatever is need
ed to support good Schools, and invite every child
10 obtain education without cost. This will not
really be taxing Property TO benefit Poverty. but
benes, itself as well. Our City tax payers never
gruuble at it, do those Of other Cities in which
the rate.bi is unknown. They know that all they
pay In this way back then, in the increased
security and value of their property In rural dis
lets, the ra,e-b gives rise TO alterations. petty
vies, DC &c which often do serious mischief to
cause Of Education. Let US be rid OF them for
yer.
~ ELlT. TArPAN (said to be son OF Senator
Tappanl has started new paper al Columbus, Ohio
for the support and defence of the Radical portion
of the Loco Foco party OF that State the Statesman
edited by Mr. Hazewel, late Of Massachusetts being
REGARDED as altogether conservative by the pro-
sress;ye Democracy. Eli objects to the Banking