Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1849-01-16
THE sUpERINTENDENT,s REPORT.


struction, for copy of his Report TO the pre-
sent Legislature. We take pleasure in saying,
that it is, in our opinion, a valuable document,
and one, in every way worthy the subj ct on
which it treats, and of the distinguished ind-
vidual from whom it cmanates.
1t is written in that clear and comprehensive
style which characteristics the true business
man--points out, in lucid manner, the de.
fccts in our presents school law, and forms q
complete guide to our Legislators, in their ef-
forts to remedy existing evils.
We should be glad to publish the document
entire, but must be content with few OK.
tracts, and such general remarks as seem 10
US most deserving attention.
On the subject Of The qualification Of teach
ers, the Superintendent thinks the standard is
high enough, and recommends, as remedy,
that the compensation be raised. On the en-
ployment Of cheap teachers, he says
"To enable him to do this successfully, he
must be compensated for his toll, that his own
mind may not be harrasscd and perplexcd with
pccuniary embarrassment. The compensation
of good teachers in the west is by no inca ms
commensurate with their services 1t is to be
regretted that the greater portion OF our popu.
lat'on DO not appear to be alive to their own
interests on this subject. Indeed, with many.
teachers seems to be considered sort Of arti-
Gle Of merchandise. Hence we often hear the
inquiry made for "chcap tea cheers" when in
reality the services of some of them would be
dear at any price. In this way worthy and
competent men arc frequently forced to aban.
don their profession, and to sock some other
m cans Of subsistence"
Next to the employment Of competent teach.
ers, is the providing Of comfortable School
Houses. The sar,e false notions of economy
prevail upon this subject as on the employ
ment Of cheap teachers.
The present School Fund Law is defective.
1t is attended with much expense. There are
at present 80 School Fund Commissioners to
be paid, and their number increases new
counties are organized. 1t will serve to scatter
the business, and render it more liable to de-
rangcmcnt and more difficult to unravel when
once dcraagcd, where so many are concerned.
The following remarks upon that subject arc
worthy Of attention:
1.-The selection of school lands is attended
with great delay and some uncertainty. The
object designed to be accomplished in the man.
ncr of disposing Of tho 500 900 acre grant (he
creation Of on immediate rcuenue) has been
thwar,cd by the introduction Of land ,oarrants,
and it does not appear wise longer to perpetu
ate the system. Our school fund is of the most
liberal character. 1t will probably amount to
S2,O0O, QUO when the school lands arc all dis
posed Of. 1t is almost needless to say that the
prudent and economical administration Of this
department Of our school system is matter of
vital concern, involving the success Of all our
future operations. 1t is in view Of these facts
and responsibilities that have determined to
recommend the repeal Of the present school
fund law, and the creation Of the office of State
School Fund Commissioner, to be kept at the
seat of Government. This officer shout select
the remain Ter ofthc 500, 900 acre grant, attend
to the sale Of all school lands in the State, and
invest the permanent fund as the General As.
semby may direct compensation of about
$2OOO w per annu.n would enable him to en-
Ploy competent clerk, and to visit the differ
ent counties, examine, allot, appraisc and sell
the school lands in person; and also to loan the
school money, giving to each county in the
State, such proportion as it should be entitled
10 by some convenient rule estu uliSlcd by law
for making the dividend"
"By the adoption Of the above plan for tho
and educational interest Of the system will be
separated, and the Supcrintcn dent can devote
his time more exclusively to the organza ton
oil school districts, and the establishment of
schools purpose dcvoting the greater por
ton OF the coming year to this portion Of the
labor assigned me, and shall cndeavor to visit
every portion Of the State. AS people we
are not alive to our own interests in treating
Il subj ect Of such magnitude with neglect and
pf!i Acrn N~tl,; ,,,i1
tendency to induce the industrious and enter
prsing portion Of community, who are emf.
grating from the older States, to seek a home
among us than the assurance that lively in.
tcrest is manifested, and that ample provisions
have been made fer the promotion Of this dcsi-
rabe object. We have no reason to be dis.
couraged thus far, and our future prospects
arc Of the most cheering character. We are
naturally biasscd by local pref udiccs, but aside
from this, feel warranted in saying that tho
iaircst portion Of CREATION has been ass gncd
US. 1t is Indeed pleasant to contemplate our
future glory and prosperity State. Our
eastern and western boundary, ca CHI some two
hundred miles in extent, is formed by the most
important navisabic streams in the world, thus
ahording as all outlet for our products north to
the manufacturing regions OF Minnesota north.
west to the fertile plains Of Nebraska, and
south to the throngcd commercial marts p inc
lower Mississippi and tho Gulf Of Mexico. Our
communication with the Atlantic coast also,
through the medium Of railroads and the great
lakes Of the north, will soon be almost direct.
Sixteen years ago the scene of rural enchant.
ment which surrounded the home of the saw
age, within our present limits, was first dis
turbed by the approach Of civilization, and
now we have hardy and entcrpris;ng popula.
ton OF l40,oOO souls, prosecuting with vigor
and energy the various arts Of agricu lure and
daily extending their trade and commerce with
the adjacent States. And still the eye Of the
western cmigrant is fixed on Iowa. and scarce
ly day passes but we welcome the adventu.
rous pioneer to home within her BORDERS
Nature seems to have clothed herself in her
iairest robes to receive US; and may we not
confidently expect that the DAY is not far dis
tant when seminaries Of learning, dotted here
and there, over the entire area Of our State,
will add to the lovoliness of the scene. The
craggy sleeps. the sunny wales, the chrystal
fountains, the murmuring brooks, the roaring
cataracts, the leafy groves, and the fertile
prairies appear to have conspired together to
render US happy, and await the hand Of urt to
bring them into requisition that we may reap
rich reward for our toll. But all this will a
vail US nothing, lest zoe, as a people, act ,cell