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

department. has no means Of ascertain,ng the pro-
gress which has been made IN the Improvement Of
school house architecture, and In the location and
suitable establishment ct sites. Daring the year
reported, the sum Of e23 490 60 was invested in
the purchase 1t SITES, and $l54 932 Of IN the erec
ton OF school houses. From the best means of
information within reach of the department, il is
believed that very great improvements in these
structures have taken place; that increased re-
gard 10 The comfort, conve ME nee and health, both
OF pupils and teachers, has been manifested; and
that more enlightened principles Of architecture, as
well MS more refined taste and better apprecia-
ton OF he advantages resulting from their combi-
nation, are beginning 10 prevail
The enlargement of sizes for school houses, The
Introduction Of tasteful shubbery, aad the cuiva-
ton OF useful and ornamental plants, should be
couraged and recommended Ample grounds
should be reserved by the inhabitants OF districts
for this purpose; and while every reasonable faclli-
ty should he afforded for that bracing and nvigo-
rating exercise OF the physical facutes, which is
essential to the heathful development of toe hl-
man system, provision should at the same time be
afforded for the cultivation OF those higher ia
culties Of our nature which have reference to
the beautiful, the tasteful and the ornamental.
Trees, flowers. vines and evergreens, should find
their appropriate places in the vicinity of every
school house, demanding the care and repaying
the attention OF both teacher and pupils, The in
fuence thus capable of being exerted on the ex-
pandlng mind Of childhood cannot be otherwise
than beneficial; while the associations connected
with the work Of primary education will be divest-
ed of much Of their present responsiveness.
SCHOOLS FOR coLoRED CHILDREN
There are in the State, as appears from the re.
ports of the several town supeninlendents tftytwo
schools for colored children, of which fifteen are
located in the city Of New York, six in the county
of Duchess, three in each of the counties Of Kings
Queens, SchoharIe, and Wayne, two in each of the
counties Of Columbia, Ontario, Rensselaer,, Suf-
folk, and Warren, and one in each of the counties
of Albany, Broome, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Or
ange, Saratoga, Steuben, and Yates. In these
schools 1911 cOlOred children have been taught
during the year embraced in the reports, of which
number !, 3i5 resided in the city Of New York, $50
IN the county Of Kings, l64 in the county Of Broome
lao in Albany, l36 in Erie, los in Rensselaer, 80 in
Ontario, IS in Queens, 66 in Monroe, 30 in Yates,
90 in Columbia, 36 in Greene, 20 in each Of the
counties of Orange and Schoharie, "a in Suffolk,
% in Saratoga, and is in Steuben. For their sup.
port the sum of GIL S0 A has been apportioned
from the public money of the several counties and
towns in which they are located; and S776 50 con-
trbuted by rate bills by those sending to school.
The existing provisions of law for the establish.
ment and support of this class Of schools are quite
inadequate to the increa wants of those inter-
ested; and respectfully recommend such further
legislation in their behalf an enlightened regard
to the intellectual and moral welfare of this portion
OF our fellow citizens may seem to require. Every
reasonable facility should, in my judgment, be af
forded for the organization of separate schools for
their use, wherever sufficient numbers exist to war
rant the establishment Of such schools
SUPERVISION OF THE SCHOOLS.
The Superintendent deems it his duty again to
call the attention Of the Legislature to The present
detective system of local supervision. The expe
Renee Of the last year has strengthened and con.
firmed the opiRion heretofore expressed, that some
posed between the several school districts and this
department, than that Of the Town Superintendent
II Is utterly impossible for this class of officers to
fulfil the various important functions which apper
supervision Of the schools. This can be done eff
fectually only by county, or lest by assem-.
bly, district officer, invested with the requisite
powers, and subject TO such restrictions and lmita
flpna as may he dean diQpf md
Whether such officer be chosen by the people,
elected BY the Town Superintendents, or by the
Board OF Supervisors, the local legislature of the
county, is OF secondary Importance. He should be
charged with the general supervision of the schools
OF the district or county for which he may be ap-
pointed, invested with exclusive jurisdiction in the
first instance, over all school district controversies
OF every name and nature, subject TO review by this
department, and required annually to report the
condition of the several schools under his charge,
with such general suggestions for their improve
ment and advancement as he may think requisite
and proper His compensation should be made a
State and county charge, in equal proportions.
The want OF such an immediate officer has been
long and severely felt in the administration Of the
general system IL has been found wholly imprac-
tcable for the State superintendent keep up ch
a correspondence with the nine hundred town
Pernendens as is absolutely requisite to the eth
cheney and success Of the system. There Is, conse-
quently, an entire absence of concert or co opera.
ton between the school officers OF any county,
TO say nothing Of the State al large. There no
Means by which the various improvements Of the
age, IL the art and science Of education, can be
generally made known and introduced into the
geat body OF our schools; and IL must be obvious to
the most unfefectiDg that instead OF progressing,
our elementary institutions must continually, under
such influences, relrograde in value and useful
ness.
The great increase OF litigation which has gro va
out OF the provisions OF the late act of lSay serves
also TO exhibtm striking point of view the want
OF some adequate local tribunal for the adjustment
and settlement, without costs to either party, OF the
various questions which are constantly presenting
themselves fer determination. Trustees, and other
officers OF school districts, with the exception Of the
collector are required TO perform the various abo-
nous, perplexlnR, and responsible duties deyolved
upon them by law, without compensation. They
are compelled TO give their services when called
upon by the inhabitants Of their district, and sub
lecttd 10 heavy hnes in of refusal 10 serve.
Under such circumstances, II is both unjust and
oppressive that they should be subjected to an ex.
pensye and harrassng process OF litigation, in the
performance OF the various functions thus devoved
upon them. IL Is true, the respective tribunals be.
fore which they may be cited, have power to ex-
empt them from The payment OF costs, where il ap-
pears the trial that they have acted in good
faith; but II Is obvious that this exemption can
reach only small part Of the expenses, and none
OF The vexation and trouble, incurred by them in
Their defence. Ultimately, too, these expenses may
be made charge against the district; bur in the
m antime they are subjectedto all the embarrass-
ments and burdens incident TO an angry and pro-
tracitd course Of litigation, without any adequate
protection. "A local officer or tribunal, vested with
exclusive jurisdiction in all eases of controversy
,risng out OF the school laws, aud authorized 10
make final decision, subject TO review by this
department ON appeal, and without costs 20 either
party, would, 10 afford the most equitable and
efficient mode for the settlement Of the mere asing
class Of questions.
In connection with this subject, the attention Of
the Legislature is respectfully requested 10 the
propreiy of formal re.enactment Of the provision
comforting appellate Jurisdiction upon this depart
ment by mere clerical error OF the engrossing
clerk, the section referred 20 included in the
repeating clause Of chapter 3s2 Of the laws of 1872
snendatory Of the general school law. Aud al
though the attention Of the Legislature, nj It's last
session, was directed to the subject, no dtfntive
action was had, in consequence 81 the allure OF
the bill introduced for the amendment Of the free
school law. The Superintendent has continued,
up TO the present period, 10 entertain appeals, as
heretofore, without objection or complaint from
any quarter.
NORMAL School.
This institution Is rapidY and afeadily increnenr