Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-01-28

ed-powers of usefulness and enjoyment de-
stroyed, are the fated results of few wears
spent in the crowded and heated sehool-room.
For all these consequences, the preventive is
Of the simplest character. The most ordina-
ry mechanical contrivsnce will ensure pure
air to the child, and the natural result, health
and happiness, to the man.
Every window should be so constructed
that it may be lowered at the top. The i'm
pure and rariied air then passes out, while a
current of fresh air rushes in to supply its
place. School-houses should be large; the
ceiling high, and the study room capacious.
These arrangements are cheaply provided
That is costly economy which sacrifices
sound health, and disregards the danger of
disease to save trihing expense.
X y
The planting of shade trees around school
houses, especially when located upon our prai-
ries, is a subject worthy of attention. They
protect the house and the scholars alike from
the hot sun, and the searching wind. But
they have purpose and effect beyond that of
comfort. They adorn and beautify the house
and grounds. 1t was profound philosophy
which led Plato to the groves and shades to
dicourse before his pupils upon the capacity
of the soul, and the themes of death and i'm
mortality. He appreciated the effect which
the beautiful in nature exercised upon the
mind and temper We should not be behind
the ancient Greeks in deyising means toren-
der the lessons of wisdom attractive, and adj
dorning It's temples with the beauties of art
and the refinements of taste. Let the school
house be made pleasant resort for the chill
dren. Let there grow up in the mind an
affection for the place-an affection for the
scenes of their sports and their studies. Link
it with pleasing associations. Render it de-
sirable and alluring-a spot around which
the mind, IN after life, may linger with emo
tons of tenderness and pleasure. Let means
of recreation be provided. Let the play
ground be enclosed, overspread with refresh
ing shade, and covered with green. The
child that is happy and contented will be
studious and dutiful scholar.
Upon the subject ofapparatus less is necessa-
ry to be said. The importance of means to il
lustrate the lessons learned by the scholar will
be appreciated by ALL Some articles, among
which are black-boards and outline maps, are
absolutely indispensable. Yet the returns
show that six hundred and ten school-houses
are destitute of the former, and but three hun
dred and sixty one, out of all tho school-hou-
ses in the State, are supplied with the latter
In connection with the subject Of school
houses | have one other suggestion to offer.
The School Fund of the State was created
for but Que object-that the public schools
might keep pace with the wants Of the pco-
pie, and remain to their children forever free
1t should be the object Of the Legislature,
as the experience of each year may indicate,
to make such changes in the disposition of
the Fund, that the generous designs of its
founders may be more completely fulfilled.
By the present statute the School Fund is
loaned to individuals in sums of from one
hundred to five hundred dollars, for a term
of five years, with the privilege of extern
sion,) at an annual interist of seven per cent
| would suggest for your consideration the
propriety Of passing a bill, authorizing the
Commissioners of the School Fund to loan it
in limited sums, to school districts for the
erection of school-houses the interest to be
paid by an annual tax. The security would
be unquestioned, as all the taxable property
in the district would be held, not only for the
final liquidation of the debt, but for the
prompt payment of the interest.
By this disposition of the School Fund,
both the principle and interest will become
directly snbseryient to the purposes of edu-
cation-the former being devoted to the cree
ton of school-honses, and the latter to the
maintenance of teachers. 1t becomes for all
practicable ends, donation to the public
schools, but donation which is inexhausta-
bic, All the possible benefits arising from
the use Of this vast capital, accrue directly to
the people for their children, and no part is
alienated for purposes of private and indiyid-
ual enterprise.
TEACHERS.
The amount of money expended for teach
er's wages within the year, is SlO5,O82 SO
Of this sum there was raised by tax
46,781 OG
The average number of months during
which the schools have been taught is five
and one-half In the county of Kenosha,
which shows a higher average than any 9TH
er county in the State, schools have been
taught during eight months in the year. In
the county of Riohland, which shows the
lowest average, schools have been taught du-
ring three months in the year. The highest
average last year was seven and half; the
lowest but little over one and a half. The
general average was five and thirty-nine one
hundreths months.
The wages paid to teachers except in few
localities, are uniformly low. In some ofthe
cities and principal villages, five hundred, six
hundred, and in one instance, seven hundred
dollars per annum have been paid to the prin-
ciple teachers. The average price paid
throughout the state to male teachers per
month, Is, $l6,34
In the county of Grant which shows
the highest average in the State, the
sum paid is p "A
The lowest in any county is Rich
land 10 90
The average price paid to female
teachers per month, is 8 so
The highest price paid to female
teachers in any county, is IN the coun-
~ of Brown Is 90