Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-10-24

the State in this way by the first or the
middle Of November. wish the several
school officers 10 designate these reports
when made by endorsing on them the
words ESPECIAL report" They should be
made out in some convenient form, and
certified BY the respective officers through
whose hands they pass. In some instan-
ces, observe ti.at the number of chill.
dren, written simply on scrap Of paper,
mi'hout any certificate, has been handed
to the Inspector as an annual report. 1t
should be borne in mind that these re-
ports are to be filed, and in case any
question should arise as 20 the apportion-
ment Of the school fund, they will be the
evidence referred to. Please give the
number of children attending and not at
tending school separate. will present
these reports 70 the General Assembly,
with a statement of the circumstances
under which they were made, in my an
nuaI report, being fully satisfied that
they WILL receive their sanction, and the
unanimous appreciation Of the people.
Doubt has arisen in the minds of some
whether, in order to answer the REQUIRE
ments Of the law, it is necessary that a
school should be taught three months
prior to The first Of September. On this
point the law is not entirely cear,sbut |
am OF opinion tina. school taught three
months either prior or subsequent to that
time, will entite the district to its appor-
tlonment Of school money, and as ample
Tune yet exists for this to be done, would
recommend that schools be established
Immediately. where it has hitherto been
neglected, in every organized district in
the State, and also in those which may
be organized in accordance with the
above Instructions. This should not be
neglected, for the organization Of the
district will avail nothing, unless the
school is established and has been regu.
larly taught three months preceding the
hrst OF March next. See 18th section
of school law.
| am now collecting some Of the most
improved plans for the construction Of
school houses, some ono Of which ! shall
adopt and present for your consiIe ration
towards the close of the coming winter.
| shall commence my tour through the
State early next spring, and shall en-
deavor to visit every portion Of it during
the next summer and fall. have great
reason to hope that by that time our
schools will be in complete and success
lul operation. As full returns from the
directors this fall are very important, |
hope you will exert yourselves to accom-
Plsh SO desirable an object before the
General Assembly convenes. Permit nc
to impress upon your minds the fact, that
no time is to be lost. The present crisis
demands Of you more than ordinary vigil
ance-that you not only discharge the
duties assigned you by law, but that you
urge the matter upon the conside ration
Of the people Of your respective town
ships and districts. And cannot suffer
myself TO indulge the belief that tho poo
pic, 'cho are most Interested, will fail to
cooperate with you in this noble enter
prise. 1t will always afford me pleasure
TO receive and answer any inquiries rela-
tive to the operation Of our school sys-
tenn, either from you or any of the friends
of education throughout the State.
| am, very respectfully,
Your obed't scrv;t,
THOS. II. BENTON, Jr.,
Superintendent Of Public Instruction.