The Gonzales inquirer. [volume] (Gonzales, Tex.) 1853-current, 1854-04-15
Circular to School omcerr.
TnEAsUREn's Orricr. Arsrix. Texas.
ktsr.t T.. 100

!. March LIST. 1854.
10 .Sehooi ODieer':
The law passed by our last Legislature. en-.
titled San act to establish a system OF Schools
is the beginning point for a system of educa.
ton for our State, the success OF which mainly
depends upon the prompt and strict perform.
ance of their duties by the officers who arc
named in tho law to carry it into operation.
The 18th section Of the law makes the State
Treasurer ex oiicio Superintendent Of Com.
mon Schools in this State; and although not IN
words, yet impliedly. requires that he should
take such steps rs win facilitate the operation
OF the law For this purpose l have caused
a correct copy Of the school law To be issued
in this pamphlet, and following, make such
suggestions as | think duty points out, and fur
nish such forms as in my opinion will aid Off
GERS in the administration Of the law, and make
their duties less difficult of performance.
The first duty named in the Law is directed
TO Chicf:J Justices and County Commissioners.
requiring Of them to form their respective
counties into school districts of convenient
size, and numbering each district, so as il shall
be known by its appropriate number. In or
der that the Assessors and Collectors may be
enabled TO perform the duties assigned To them
by section 9th of the law. il would he advisa-
bic that the districts be formed and numbered
at as early u day ms possible, otherwise n fail
ure may occur in taking the census of the child.
rem IN time for an apportionment of the school
money for the present year, After the forna-
ton oi districts, the establishment of schools
depends almost entirely upon q faithful dis
charge Of their duties by the ChiefJustice and
County Commissioners, in the ordering of elec-
tons TOR trustees, and the appointment Of pre-
siding officers for each district; and it Is to be
hoped they will appreciate the importance OF
prompt action in those matters
Ihe 9th section of the law makes "the duty
OF the Assessor and Collector OF each county
in tho State. during The year 1864, and every
year thereafter, to make out q list of all the
free white population in his county between
the Hges of six and sixteen years, particularly
designating the number Of persons between
such ages in each school district, and transmit
the same under his hand and official signilurc
TO tho County Clerk of the county, and n Ger.
titled copy thereof to tho Treasurer Of the
State, on or before the first day Of July in cach
and every year" For this duty, which will
undoubtedly require much time and labor, no
provision was made by the Legislature for re.
munerating the Assessor and Collector, but |
am satisfied that tho next Legislature will
make an appropriation TO pay literally for the
service. 1t will be the pleasure AS well as the
duty Of this Office to call the attention of the
Lcgslaturet to this subject, and in the meantime
trust that no Assessor and Collector will fail
to perform willingly and faithfully the duty
placed upon him. appeal to those officers
and in fact, to NIL who have duties assigned
them under the School law, to let no pecuniary
considerations influence them, but with true
patriotism, each and all, will be jealous in chr,
rying ipto effect it's several provisions, and il
Is to be hoped that nil OF its requirements vii
bc complied with, rs upon them depend the
value and benefit of the system.
The law, it is prcsumablc, will be found i'm
perfect in some rcspects-itmay wantin speci
t%ication and dctail--it may prove partial and
unequal in its operations. and in order to gel
Mt its defects, if any, and have them rcmedicd
| would respectfully request of the Chief,Jus
tees of the several counties, in their annua
statements TO this office, to make full reports
with such suggestions and recommendations o
alteration or addition, as in their opinion tn,
system requires, to the end that this office, il
its reports to the Legislature, may make sucl
suggestions as may be deemed advisable to re
medy defects, as well as for a more EXTENDED
plan of operation, and the full development o
our educational resources.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient serv't,
JAS. Ii. RAYMOND.
State Treasurer, and ex-oflicio Superin
tendcnt of Common Schools.