Eastern times., 1855-11-29

School Papers. No. 6.
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
and School Committee for 1854--5.

Report OF the superintendent OF Schools
and School Committee for 1654--5.
Ma. EDIroR Allow me, through the COL
umns of your paper, to call the attention Of
our people to the above mentioned report. 1t
is the first document of the kind presented TO
our city, and is in many respects, model re-
port,
We have read this report with deep interest
aud great satisfaction. The Office of Superin-
tendent of common schools was new for our
city, and we mean no unmerited encomums
when we say, that the csty government was
very fortunate indeed, in securing the services
of the Rev. Mr.. Dixie, to fill that place. He
is eminently qualified for the station. His
views on the subject of popular education, are
eminently sound and practical and they are
expressed in luminous, manly and vigorous
style. He does not multiply words to swell
the bulk of his report, but expresses his
thoughts clearly, and strongly impregnated
with the essence of common sense.
He is deeply interested in the subject of ed
ucation, and strong advocate of the Grodud-
t'on System, the intrinsic superiority of which
has been so successfully demonstrated in the
Annual Reports of DIR. Sears and other dstin-
guished friends Of education. The graduation
system Of free schools offers such advantages
for obtaining an education, as can be found no
where else /; and the scholar who avails him
self of them, enjoys privileges which would
cost him large sum per annum, and some of
which could not be procured elsewhere at any
cost.
Citizens and strangers, equally, in attempt
ing to make themselves acquainted with our
system of public instruction, uniformly look
with special interest to the reports of the
school committee, not only in regard to their
internal economy, but also in regard to their
external relations. And to meet this want, it
becomes necessary to give general summary
of the results of our schools, and also to ex-
plain in a connected manner the principles in
volved in their organization, and the methods
adopted in the administration of them. While
reading this pamphlet, we wished that it might
be placed in the hands of every citizen in the
city. Our schools have been continued with
increasing interest by the Committee, and we
trust also, by the people at large their use
fulness and efficiency are abundantly manifest
from the great number annually emanating
from them, instructed in all the useful and
primary branches Of education; and from the
wholesome discipline and moral training they
receive, are fitted in some measure TO become
useful members of the community. Every
year of their continuance, coavinces US more
and more of their Importance and usefulness,
although larger sums will be required annual
ly TO meet the wants of our growing popula-
ton yet it will be well spent, when we con-
slider the great benefit TO be derived from the
intellectual and moral training of the many
youths taught in our public schools.
The retrospect, on the whole, then, is pleas
ant and satisfactory; and the reward has been
reaped which follows humble and earnest en-
deavors 10 learn the laws of God and to walk
by them Whatever has been obtained is the
result of forecast and labor; if any shortcom-
ing has been observed, it might perhaps have
been avoided by greater wisdom and watchful
ness. May the gain or the loss of the past, be
it greater or less, be turned TO good account
for the future. n. A. w.
Bath, Nov. Goth, 1855.