The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-14


necessarily be inflicted upon the hg Interests of
the schools, where such incompetent teachers are
employed, indirect injustice is done TO that large
and increasing class of really qualified teachers,
who have devoted themselves 10 their profession,
and design 10 rely upon 1t for livelihood. The
standard of wages for this class, already far
too low, when compared with those of every
other liberal profession, becomes altogether
inadequate when ruinous competition must
be entered into with mere pre- tenders, desii.
tute Of suitable qualifications, either moral or
intellectual, and who resort TO the business of
teaching mere temporary resource in the pro-
secuton Of some other trade, calling or profession.
Every encouragement should be afforded l. the
thorough, sceDufc preparation of a body Of teach
ers of both sexes, and every inducement should be
held out 10 them 10 devote their entire time and
energies 10 The faithful prosecution OF their noble
and useful profession. Let our schools be rgidly
closed against all not thus qualified and devoted TO
their calling, and the demand for higher order of
instructors will speedily call forth corresponding
supply. No education Is worthy OF the name which
does not include full and faithful developemen
and direction of the whole moral, intellectual, and
physical nature of every child subjected to dis
slrucrors themselves thoroughly disciplined and
fitted tor the task, and enthusiastically devoted to
its duties and responsibilities
An interesting feature in this institution, during
the past year, has been the experiment Of educating
number of Indian youth of both sexes, with the
view Of preparing them for teachers among their
own pc ople. These pupils have evinced surpns-
ing aptitude for instruction; and at the expiration
of their respective terms will undoubtedly possess
all the requisite qualifications for commune atng
instruction, in all the ordinary branches of common
school education, to the children of the various
tribes with which they are connected The obliga-
lions incumben mt upon the State in its dealings with
the scattered remnant OF this interesting people,
within our borders, cannot be more wisely and be-
nehcially performed, than by thus placing them
upon footing OF Intellectual and moral equality
with their white brethren, through the agency Of
an institution designed for the benefit Of the entire
rising generation.
In most ofthe counties of the State, 80 far as can
be asceraned from the reports transmitted TO thus
department, no institutes have been held during the
past year, returns have been received from three or
four ceunues only and it is beeve that no efforts
fhave bt en- made in the majority OF the counties to
assemble the teachers in accordance with the pro-
visions of the existing law in this respect
This state Of things Is much to be regretted. In
conjunction with the State Normal school, the Pc
riodlca assembage OF the several teachers of each
10 s
produce the most beneficial results upon the i'm
provement Of the schools by elevanng the qualiiica
tons OF their instructors, and familiarizng them
with the best and most improved modes of teaching
The law should, IN the judgment of the Supern-
teDdent, be SO amended to secure these results,
in the most efficient practicable mode. The ap.
preparations to the respective institutes should be
increased, and the duty of converting and organic
ing them devolved upon some officer officially con-
nected with the common schools, instead of the
county clerks.
The facilities afforded by this periodical for COM
municatng with the inhabitants and officers OF the
several districts, throughout the State, and with
the several town superintendents, are such as
abundantly to justify the continuance OF the appro-
prlation heretofore made for its publication. In the
absence OF such an organ OF communication, the
department would be compelled to incur a heavy
expenditure, Tar SURPRISING the amount OF the sp-
preparation, in the printing and postage OF clrcu
lars The experience of the last ten or twelve
years. during which the journal has been published,
has satisfactorily established its utility and Import
ance, not only the official channel OF communl-
cation it'll the school districts, but the reposi
tory OF valuable information connected with the
advancement and Improvement OF our system OF
publicsinstruction.
REVISION OF THE SCHOOL LAWS
The numereu, and important alterations and
amendments which have been made in the school
law, since the year lSi7 when the various statutes
in relation TO common schools were consolidated
and re-enacted, impeTativey require revision and
republication OF the entire act as amended, together
with such expositions, instructions, and forms,
may be deemed necessary and proper TO carry its
vanous provisions into practical effect throughout
the State. full and complete digest OF the exist
ing provisions of law, with the necessary forms and
Instructions, embracing concise statement OF all
the decisions of the several supcrintendents now in
force under each head full abstract OF the various
local laws, and brief history OF the system from
its origin to the present PERIOD has been prepared
under the direction OF the department., and Will De
published may be after the Legislature
shall have taken definitive action on the various
ton during the present session A copy of SINH
lar work, published in 1874, directed to be
placed in each district library Of the State, for the
use Of the inhabitants and officers of the several
districts and towns, the expense Of which was de-
frayed from the Library Fund; and ! respectfully
recommend a similar disposition OF the present
work.
The history OF the past year, in reference TO this
great enterprise, has been one Of mingled triumph
and disaster The principle Incorporated in the
e. 49, fkWxxttf
oct the Staie, has been again subjected the test
Of public opinion. In their almost unanimous ap-
prevail Of that principle, in the Of 1919, the
electors very generally overlooked the specific de-
tails OF the bill submitted to their sanction, confd
ing in the disposition of the Legislature to modify
such OF its features as might be practically obiec-
tionable. Serious Obstacles to the successful ope-
ration OF the law presented themselves almost upon
the threshold Of It's administration. The boards OF
supervisors ir more han onehalf the counties OF
the state, had adjourned their annual sessions be-
fore the act took effect without making the appro-
pration required by its provisions, leaving the seve
raj school districts TO sustain most unequal and
oppressive burden OF taxation for the support OF
their schools.
Inequalities in the valuations Of taxable property,
contrbutedIn manylocahues,sg really TO aggrayate
this burden, and epirt al opposition 10 the new
law, nfamed by its determined opponents, mani.
tested itself al the primary district meetings, and
too often resulted in the entire rejection Of the esti
mates prepared by the trustees, and the limitation
Of The term OF school 10 the lowest possible period
authorized Dy law. Appeals were assduousy
made to the cupidty OF the heavy tax payers-their
interests sought TO be arayed against that of their
lees favored brethren, and against the interests Of
their children their passions stimulated by the
real inequalities as well as fancied injustice Of the
burdens imposed by the new law, were readily en-
listed against every attempt TO carry II into opera
ton. Numerous petitions were sent TO the Legs
laure praying Tor its repeal for such amendments
as might render II more generally acceptable.
IL was obvious that the lswwas liable TO just and
serious objections, and that II did net meet with
that general approval which was necessary to en-
sure its success. Under these circumstances the
friends OF the new system were among the first 10
conctd de the defects OF the bill, and while urging
the preservation OF the fundame nsl principle which
II involved, were apxiously solicitous to modify
the details OF the measure as 10 obvate all its OBJ
noxious features. At their suggestion, and with
their cooperation, bills were introduced into both
branches OF the Legislature, providing for gene