Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-03-30
sobnol Bills before the Legislature.


The Common Schools are interviewer with the
GREAT and beautiful institutions of our Con mon
wealth. and are alike necessary to forward the
advances of civilization and progress of liberty,
when they managed judiciously ard receive
that attention from the public which they most
undoubtedly require. In this State they have
been in successful operation since we believe, in
1884, and have proved to lie vastly successful
in every section of the Commonwealth, but while
they have been eminently successful, there are
many imper(ectons to be remeded, that re-
guirc the prompt action Of the Legislature 70 per-
feet this great system of education.
No less than 500 eco youth receive their edu
cation through this institution, which at single
glance displays the care and caution necessary,
in those imparting knowledge to the rising gen
Grafton, who in few years will compose our Le-
gislators, and perform the duties Of government,
for generation only visible in the future We
say there is care and caution necessary, IN those
whose Office it is, to instill education into the
young. and that none but those possessing the
most satisfactory qualifications should be permit
ted 20 perform the duties the Law imposes upon
the Teacher. 1t is true that in great many in
stances it is almost impossible to get Teachers
possessed Of the requisite qualifications, but, we
believe, that if the proper means were resorted
to- Teachers capable and well qualified could be
secured in nine cases out of ten in most Of the
counties in the State and that the Directors OF
School districts are solely blameablo. Sometimes,
and we fear in too many cases, Directors are cleo
ted who are utterly ignorant of the duties de-
volving upon them, and when this is not the case
;,,4o al IN Irar
of the subject of education to see that the Teach
er Is capable of conducting the School, but on
producing certificate regularly made out, he
is permitted to proceed capable or incapable.
great many young men aspiring to colleges,
and other Institutions oflcarniDg, find themselves
bcreft ofthe means so essential to the young, and
they cast around them for some honorable en-
ploy wherewith to satisfy their wants school
teaching is the only employment that becomes
natural, and they assume the duties of a Teach
er without pertaining the least interest in their
employment, save the mony to be paid them for
services that should have been performed for the
scholar as well as for the Teacher. This IS a de-
plorable state of affairs.
The Legislature should pass the bill that has
been submitted for their consideration, by the
committee On LGCG3tlOn II PiO'4uCS IOf the
appointment or election Of county Superinten-
dent for each county in the State this is much
to be wished and will have a salutary influence
upon the Schools; it, If we are not mistaken i'm
poses upon the Directors the duty of supplying
the schools with regular course Of books. This
will be decided improvement, as under the law
as it now stands upon statute books, each
Teacher introduces books which he is acquainted
with, and that without consulting the interests
of the scholar and in many cases every year pro-
duces new kind of books. The establishment
of Normal Schools is subject that should COM
mand the attention of every friend of the Com
mon Schools in the Commonwealth, as well as
the professional Teacher, for whose elvation nc
scheme could be more available. Such beings as
quack school-masters will be driven from the
communities which they have imposed upon, and
the man who has cultivated himself for the du-
ties of Teacher and received diploma from
the State Normal Schools, fill his place. Direc-
tors of School Districts will apply to the Nor
NAL Schools for Teachers, and will not be troub-
led with the examination of every quack that
makes application for a school. We sincerely
hope those Bills may pass.