New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-03-15


Deeply impressed with the great truth that
without moral aud Intellectual Instruction Of high
order to the Youth of our Strte, the complex ma.
chinery o. free elective Government cannot be
rendered 80 beneficial the people as it ought to
be- we hasten to lay before our readers Mr. Ben
tons statement OF the effects that have followed
the abolition of the Office Of County Superintendent.
Of Common Schools. As Secretary Of State and
! General Superintendent of Education, his means
OF observation have been very full, and be arrives
at the same conclusion as ourselves, namely that
the Office ought not to have been abolished unless
TO make way for more efficient substitute.
We listened carefully 10 the remarks OF mem.
bers Of the Legislature Of ls47, and the chief srgu
ment Of the abolitionists was, that the officers
chosen by the Boards Of Supervisors were usually
inefficient or in other words that the Boards
mated improper incumbents. Many members bore
testimony to the worth and energy Of Superintend
ents 10 their counties, aud we know that gen
temen who held that Office were blessing to the
society in which they moved. The suggestion Of
Secretary Benton, that the People be allowed to
choose liz Superintendents, one in each Assembly
District merits immediate attention and one thing
is very clear, something must be done.
Here the law does not apply. Our Free School
system equal to all, with its active and efficient
Superintendent, Mr. McKeon are fortunately left
untouched.
The abolition Of the Office Of County Superintendent Of
schools viii ssary place this Department In direct
correspondence win the Trustees and other Officers OF
more than 1000 tchOol Districts, aud the Town Supern-
endens Of s52 In addition TO the numerous let
ers addressed TO the Superintendent from all portions OF
the sts,e for advice and instruction, and many Of them
requiring the most critical attention, and often extended
examnaonegery appeal from the acts and decisions OF
School District NEE ings-he Town Superinendents dno
Trustees of School Districts concerning a1y other mat
unser the School Lave must now be brought directly
/ 70 the Department The necessity and importance OF
settling and adjusting School District controversies and
correcting the irregularities and nsdvertent mistakes, o.
even the wrongful acts Of the Town and School District
officers by this speedy aud inexpensive procedure, musi
I be too apparent to require even passing rematA
The whole number Of appeals brought 10 this depart
mont the decisions Of County supernteDdeniS tce
April H. 1919 when they authorized decide ap
peas was 1872 rhUe ne decisions made and cofrocerss
t0mised y those o6cers Were more Than seen fimes
Gof number. The sbolishDg the office seemed 10 be
in accordance with the public will and should be cheer
fully obeyed but the wisdom aud expedency of the meas
ure must tested by the experience Of the future VITA
the other official duties devoved upon tho incumbent OF
this office, personal supervision and Inspection OF inc
schools any way desirable, Is wholly mprsctcahie
This question IS then presented 20 the grave consideration
of the Legislature the people Of the State are We u
dispense entirely nth al personal rStaoa, Inspection, and
supervision, erceTf What mag be formed by ne hc@ torn e-
6ceTSS and not hereafter 10 h0ee any asiSticd IN
formation OF me re'ahpc condition Of our sco0lhous and
Of he Condition Of nc Winter anil Summer schools from
year 10 yeqr sio,,ag the number Of schools ried and
pS ia attendance al tie timer TIC course dhd rteHt q ne
studies pursued, UM The ages, SEE and tune Of employment
Of ne teachers and he compensation patdf To repeat the
inst sEcomiuns bestowed upon system in all us parts
as il recently existed and which distinguished educators
phan.brOpsts in other States have urged upon the
considerations Of their Legislatures worthy Of being IN
corporated into their systems might seem dsreSpec
full The minutes Of the Committee OF Council ON Educa
ten England for the s45 and 1885, contain re-
ports exhibiting minute aud searching examination Of
all the schools ia The different districts In England and Oh
of education IN Scotland, subject to Government
inspection.
Government who received their instructions from the
Council on Education and report directly 10 that Board
The statistical information collected by these inspectors IS
not confined to the number Of pupils under instructor
and the present condition of The schools These reports
particular account OF the application and eH
pendure the Government grants IN aid of Education
well particular Information relative 10 the conditioD
mode of instruction progress OF the Schools with
marks and suggestions In regard TO the mode Of nstuc
ton pursued In each OF the schools visited
Ocal information Of this character forms the basis Tor
sound legislation and gives right direction 10 progre
slve measures OF Improvement The superintendent stu
retains the power conferred by the act chapter $500 OF
the Laws OF 1882 Of appointing persons In the several
ceunes TO visit and examine into the condition OF the
common schools, and report on all such matters relating
to the schools and the means OF improving them as ne
shall prescribe - but compensation can be nade for
this service 1t cannot be expected therefore, that a
and complete reports will be obtained through voluntary
agency that requires weeks and months OF severe aoof 10
accomplish Much, however, may be done by the desg-
nation or appointment Of county visitors, the town su
psrinendenis be required to cooperate with them ana
furnish statistical reports from the towns ana districts
which they may not be able 10 visit and examine
Without any iteral increase OF expense, provision
might be by law for the election by the people oil IN
spectors Of schools in each Assembly District whose com
peosaton should DO limited and who could conveniently
perform many OF the duties Of town superntendents
II should be here remarked that the City OF New forA
is exempted from the operation Of the act aoosnng inc
office of County Superintendent of Schools and therefore
the plan above mentioned would require the election OF
only one hundred and twelve District Inspectors.