Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-02-03

tent. that many will be unable to support
good schools, erect convenient school houses,
or provide suitable apparatus. They will
thus be compelled to hire cheap teachers,
have poor houses, and content themselves
with schools but few weeks in the year
What return is had for all this sacrifice T.
None, other than the meager recompense of
saving to the children the walk of half or
-fourths of mile. If Town Superin-
tendents will cease their efforts to divide the
school districts of their respective towns, and,
wherever practicable, consolidate them until
they become large and strong enough to sup
port good schools, have suitable houses, prop
er apparatus and competent teachers, they
will thereby accomplish lasting good.
The importance of the classification of pu-
pills in each school, and the classification of
schools wherever practicable, cannot be too
highly estimated. Villages and large towns
should consolidate their strength, and build
commo6ious houses, suitable for the accom-
mod alton of separate schools. The most OBJ
vious advantages resulting from such an
ganization, would be increased productive
ness of the teachers labor without an increase
of expense. Every good teacher attaches i'm
portance to a skillful arrangement of pupils
IN classes according to age and proficiency.
" most of our district schools, the diversity
in these respects is so great, that classes can
be but imperfectly formed. The object of
gradation is to classify the schools them
selves, placing the younger children IN one
department, those more advanced In their
studies and of maturer age IN the other
With This arrangement, the appropriate teach
er, whether male or female, can be assigned
to the respective departments, and each be
enabled so to classify the school in charge,
that no time will be uifed away with the
irfT oF rl- nd nd
tions.
One other arrangement will perfect this
gradatiOn, and mature cur public school sys-
ten. A third grade of schools, as the con-
Meeting link between the district school and
the State University, is indispensable. The
organization of town high schools does not
seen to be adapted to our sparse population
or the necessities of the inhabitants of this
State. But county institution of that char
acter, for the benefit of the advanced schol
ars Of the entire county, will equally meet
the provisions of The constitution, and better
supply the wants of our people. A uniform
method of examination would determine who
were fitted TO enter it as graduates from the
district schools. Such an institution would
be appropriately denoninated County High
School. There the youth could be fitted for
the State University, or acquire d prohcIen-
cy IN the branches necessary to the pursuits
Of active life-could prepare for a trade, for
commerce or agriculture. The public schools
of the State would then comprise, the prima-
~ and secondary departments Of the Dis
trict School; the County High School, and
the State University.
This renders the system complete. Il pro-
vides means by which every child in the
State, for all time to come, may acquire free
education in each branch of knowledge, from
the simplest to the highest.
The people Of our State are heterogeneous
in their origin. Nearly every nation upon
the globe has its representatives among u.s.
They meet upon our soil, speaking strange
languages, entertaining conflicting preiUdices,
moved by opposite aims. These diverse ele-
ments must be combined hostile views must
be reconciled, general amity inculcated.-
Trade and intercourse may accomplish much,
but the education of the youth will establish
permanent harmony and identity of interests.
Education does more than this IL corTects
public sentiment. Ii inspires public truth
and honor. 1t creates a wholesome regard
for the laws. 1t is cheaper system of juris-
prudence than courts and penalties. The
teacher can better protect the peace Of the
community than the sheriff. The school
house is more efficient preventive of crime
than the prison. Education softens the asper-
tiles of character. 1t infuses kindness into
social intercourse. 1t tempers the herceness
of dispute and the strife of parties. 1t Puri-
ies the motives and exalts the aims OF life,
for to improve the understanding corects
and enlarges the heart.
The education of the rising generation IS
an object for which all can unite their labors.
1t is common ground, upon which all sects
and parties can meet, obIivIous of rival inter
ests and Jealous fears. Our system Is free
from sectaTlan or partIZan Influences. 1t Is
under the protection of no party IN church or
state. II interferes with no religious creed Ur
political platform. Each party shares IN Its
/ fFuits,-for II ripens the judgment and sharp
ems the faculties sit brings to each an I'M
provement of talents, an addition OF Intellec-
tual resources;-it instills noble motive for
Iexertion, and causes more jealous emula-
ton for success.
! Its benefits are restricted to no class or con-
dition. The lowliest have the same rights
as the highest. The free school Is a repub-
/ lie, where poverty Is II staIn-where
rank and wealth constitute no title TO
/ excellence-where honor is the reward OF
merit. Thus FREE EDUCATION TO ALL may
/ be appropriately inscribed upon the emblem
ofour State-its present glory, It's future hope.
/ To accomplish all the good results of this
educational system, enlightened, consistent
and Just legislation is necessary. The inter
ests Of one hundred and twenty-five thousand
children Of Wisconsin demand this at your
hands. They have no agents to beleaguer
the Capitol. They have no favors TO bestow
no requitals to offer. They but plead then
necessities and desires. Relying upon the
justice of their cause, they ask faithful dis
charge of your high trust as their guardians
and protectors. AZEL p. BADD,
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
n A poor fellow who owed money
and was often sued being rather out at
the elbows. a friend gravely remarked