Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-09-26
For the Times.
DIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS,

Mr.. EDIToR:-It is hackneyed subject, it
true, to talk of our public schools, but somethin
more must be done in reference to them, and tina
something will not likely be done, unless there i
first some talking. We have an excellent syster
of common schools provided for by the statute
but we need something more to make that systen
very effective. The people are too little intereste
| in our schools, and even the Trustees have to-
little responsibility in the discharge of thei
duties. The examination as to the qualification
| of teachers is not considered matter of sufi
cient Importance; it is thought enough to have
teacher, show him where the school house is, ant
bid him go to work. 1t is much to be regretted
that some of the amendments to our school law
which were offered last winter were not allowed
to prevail; especially the one which provided fo
the appointment of a County Superintendent o.
Common Schools, whose business it should be tt
examine and approve all teachers employedin thu
county, to visit each school twice in the year, an(
to make a full report of his doings to the Terri
torial Superintendent. An efficient Superintend
ent in each county, would thus give some efficiency
performing his duties, and let him be appointed
by the voters of the county at the regular cleo.
tion. Let the friends Of education talk over this
plan, and press the matter upon the next Legis-
lature. Let the Territorial and County Superin-
tendents form Board of Education, who shall
make such general rules and regulations pertain
ing to the schools, the teachers and text books
motion of education. This would prepare the
way for irregular system of graded schools, which
is now very much called for. In some of the dis
tricts, there to be sure two teachers employed
but the division is more generally on the system
OF temporary convenience.
We have any number Of private and select
schools, but with all due Difference to them, we
need something more; they do not supply the
want of the Territory. We need schools of a
higher grade, that shall be free schools, with first
class teachers, and possessing all the advantages,
that are now sought in the private and select
schools. In our larger places where public High
Schools could be sustained, the arrangement
should be so complete that scholars might gradu
ate from our public schools, prepared for college,
though they had enjoyed no other privilege than
our graded free schools afforded them. Of course
our higher schools would need teachers of higher
qualifications, and higher salaries must be paid;
and is not the state Of our population such as to
call for this now?
st. Paul has many excellent schools, and the
advantages they furnish may be all that is needed,
but are the friends of our public schools doing
all they should do in leaving these matters to be
provided for by select schools rather than to fur
Il, Al. oI,
St. Paul should have at once public high
school, taught by teacher, or teachers if need be,
of the very highest qualifications, and to which
school, scholars Of certain degree of attainment,
only, should be admitted. The same is true of
St. Anthony; they have any number of private
schools in operation, but their public schools are
much neglected. \ good public grammar school
could be well sustained there, and is in reality
demanded by the wants of the place.
Saltwater is in still worse condition; with a
population absolutely demanding two schools in
the summer and three in the winter, there is but
one. The attempt made during the past simmer
to establish an academy has entirely failed, partly
through the lack of interest on the part of the
people, and partly through a succession of disap-
or rather through the failure of teacher to full
fill his engagements. In the meantime the child
ren are growing up without education. But few
parents can afford to send their children away to
school, and at home, there is but one school,
taught by young female teacher.
Cannot something be done to increase an inter-
est in our common schools that may affect the
winter terms, before our legislature meets? We
know that our Superintendent is interested in this
matter and will do what he can. Would not a
Territorial Convention Of the friends of educa-
ton this fall, be productive of good consequences:
At least, would not county meetings on this sub
ject have good effect? Through you, permit me
to appeal to our worthy Superintendent, with an
urgent request thct he should hold meetings at
different places in the Territory this fall, and by
addressing the people, and calling together the
friends Of education in the different localities.
awaken the interest that is much needed. The
presence of Mr.. Baker, as the Superintendent OF
Schools, and the addresses from him, would have
an effect as the proper officer, which the efforts OF
others might not have.
Will you not, gentlemen of the Times, second
these remarks with your own pen? and will moi
YOUR coIehporaries oI INC Ierri.o!i"i PioS', Si''
their assistance to render public schools more
effective? FAIRFIELD.
c. We will most cheerfully give our co-opera-
tion to any plan which can be devised to advance
the cause of education, as we consider this ont
of the most important subjects which can engros'
the attention of our citizens. AS our correspond
ent is conversant with the matter, we hope hi,
letter will elicit sufficient interest to call forth
favorable expression from the public.-ED.