The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-02-15
PENNsYLvANIA COSsMoN sCHooLs.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.

H.. -
We have received a COPY of the report Of
Mr.. Black, Superintende of our Common
Schools, for the year ending Jaae s, 1884,
1t is, like oil our State papers, so long that
few papers can publish it without excluding
more lively reading, and, if it were publish
ed, few persons would take the trouble 10
read il. We therefore con6ne ourselves to
giving an abstract of its contents.
The report opens with a congratalatory
paragraph on the Aourishiug state Of our
school system, which is partly attributed 10
"a new and more active element, which
must, ere loug. produce the haPpiest results"
This element" appears TO consist in, the
fresh and spontaneous efforts of The friends
OF education, but the idea is not very clearly
expressed. The Superintendent apologies
for the absence of the usual statistical tables,
which is owing 10 a change in the mode OF
furnishing blanks 10 the districts. Such par
iial reports as have been received convince
him, however, ,ha, " the results would exhi-
bit a marked increase over any previous
year" He refers TO the appended rspo rts of
the county superinlendents as furnishing
much valuable Information.
Reference is made to the law of 1854,
which omitted certain sections of The act of
ls49 having reference to " endowed schools
aud schools under The care of religious socie.
ties" On this subject the Superintendent
says:
"The reasons that doubtless operated up
on the Leg ~islature, in emitting these sections
will strike at once every intelligent mind
The success of the common school system
depends mainly upon popular favor. The
means necessary TO its support are drawn
from the entire people, and it commends it.
self to their liberality, in proportion as it Is
harmonious and uniform ia operation. The
object of the law is 10 provide a common
school education for every child of the Com.
monweslthf; and 10 do ihis efectuall,, ii
must be done impaitially. The people are
properly jealou Us of The religious as well as
int %lleotual training of their children, and
any seeming preference, under sanction Of
law. is TO be avoided as I'M urious to the eff
cheney and popularity Of The system. 1t was
The inherent defect Of the earlier school laws
by which the poor were to be taught graf
is,n that none but that class were taught at
the public expense--ihus creating a distlnc-
ton, odious in practice, and utterly at war
with the true idea of a Common school,"
II is the pride and boast, therefore, of our
common school institution, that all the chill
Gren of The State shall meet upon the same
common platform, without regard 10 social
posilion, or moral, or religious creed. To
incorporate or have retained in the law,
these provisions, would have been in con-
alct with this salutary principle, and would
in practice, have inflicted an injury instead
OF q benefit upon The class preferred. These
were, doubtless, the caases which actuated
the Legislature in emitting these sections
But i, cannot be disguised, however, that in
many parts Of the State this action of the
Legislature was either strangely misconceiv-
cd or grossly misrepresen,ed. Public meet
ings were form ally called, 10 denounce any
attempt at giving a preference 10 a psrticu.
lar religious denomination, or at any con-
emplaled division Of the school fund. Even
school directors, who, 1t is presumed, were
elected under a belief that they understood
the law, were active in exciting public opin-
ion against this imaginary attack upon the
rights of the people, through common school
System. How such an entire ~misapprehen-
sion of the olive and action of the Legis-
lature, could arise in the mind of any one,
and especially of those officially connected
with the administration of the school law, is
certainly inexpIicable. But happily for the
popularity of the common school system, as
we'll as the peace of mind of those who were
thus unnecessarily excited, such fears were
entirely groundiess. Instead of being de-
signed to effect a division of the school fund,
the only object vas to take away all pre:ence
for ii, by emitting provisions that seemed to
indicate such a purpose. The attempt, !
trust and believe, will never be made 10 re.
insta,e them and there will not, it is TO be
hoped, be any further cause, imaginary OIL
real, for apprehension on this subject"
Objection is made by the superintendent
10 the establishment N of independent schoo
districts, BY special acts OF Assembly be
believes tina, ths township lines are the on
ly true and proper boundaries, and he givs'
many reasons for such a preference. HI
expresses great satisfaction with the work
ing of the system Of County Superintendents
aud, with numerous arguments, deprecate'
the adjustment of the Office by The Legisla
ture. The results ola convention of thu
: County Supsrintendents are described.
The scarcity of qualified teachers in tn
state is deplored as an evil that must pre-
! vent our schools from attaining a permanen
! aourishing condition. He recommends in
creased wages as the only practical mean
. Of obtaining the services ofgood teachers
He also urges the establishment Of Norma
Schools, one in the eastern and the other il
; the western or northern part Of the State.-
D Ha saws that tha OeolopicaI aurvav the rae