Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-01-13


reason they are averse 10 all attempts al reforma-
lion. such an inference, | am confident, would
not be true reflection of their sentiments. So far
from this, they acknowledge the existen ce of the
evil and the necessity of proper remedies. Our
present license laws, 10 this end, might, in
my opinion, be usefuy reviSed-the object Of such
revision being to lessen the vice of intemperance
That those laws need such revision. is con :eded.
SO far as relates to the city of Philadelphia, they
are peculiarly pre- judicial 10 public morals, and
Seem to have been constructed 10 promote the con-
Tenience of drinking far more than to restrain lis
evil consequences. The subject is worthy of your
early and deliberate consideration.
The report of the Superintendent will exhibit to
you IN detail, the operations of the Common School
system for the year Just closed and | respectfully
recommend the suggestions of shat officer to your
careful consideration.
The general law of ls49, with amendments and
notifications, was renodeled by the last Legisia-
ture. The most material parts OF the old law
which were omitted in the new, were the sub-dis-
tricts. the endowment, and sectarian features The
former was rejected because of the unnecessary
multiplication of Offices which it authorized, and
the conflict which perpetually arose between the
committees and directors and the latter, because
In manifest hostility 10 the true intent of the COM
mon school system. These provisions which SEEM
ed to contemplate separate school establishment
under sectarian patronage, although controlled by
grated upon the acts of 1886 and 1888, and were
again re-enacted in ls49 They were very proper.
~ stricken from the system by the law of last ses-
sion. Should efforts be made in the future al sim
iiar innovations, come whence they may it is hop
ed they may be promptly rejected. The system to
be effectual, must be simple and uniform in It's op-
perations. Special legislation, incen. sient with
the general law, applicable to particular localities
or districts, to answer temporary or partial ends,
always has, and always will embarrass the admin
istration of The general system, and should for this
reason, be carefully avoided. The integrity of its
forms, not less than the means 10 sustain its oper-
ations, should be constantly maintained and sacred.
ly cherish ed by the government
new feature in the system, adopted in the law
OF last session. creating the Office of County Super,
intendent, has not, as yet, been fully tested and
there evidently exists some diversity fopinion as
TO the wisdom OF the provision. Ii is already yery
obvious at least, that its beneficial workings must
depend mainly upon the characierof the agents Sc
lected to carry it into operation. Competent and
faithful Superintendent may produce the happiest
results; whilst the agency of the ignorant or inef
fcient will be attended bv the reverse consequen-
ces. In order to give this feature OF the law
fair trial, 1t will be necessary, therefore for the
directors in h res rec.ve oounties to select Super
ntendents with sole reference to their adoption 10
the duties of their station.
OF the many obstacles in the way of the complete
llI,
prominent, the most difficult to remove is the want
of competent teachers. In some counties. regret
to say, the system has fallen inlo comparative in
efficiency, because good teachers cannot be found
and IN others, the most vexatious consequences
have arisen from the mployment of the iterate
and incompetent. Nothing could exercise more
preJudlclal influence; indeed, between a very bad
teacher and at ALL the latter alternative might,
in many instances be preferred. This deficiency is
already manifest, and hard to obviate Some of the
best minds of the State have been occupied and per-
picked with it; and until recently no general and
practical plan for its removal had been devised
The plan of granting permanent professional
certificates, by officers skilled in the ofteaching
and eminent IN literary and scientific acquireme ns
10 teachers who satisfactorily pass thorough
examination, in the several branches Of study,
which the act Of May. 1854. requires to be taught In
every district and also in the art of teaching-is
already obviously etfrcting decided improvements
in this regard, and it is believed will do much to-
ward placing the profession upon high and firm
basis Normal schools, it is urged, could in addi-
ton, TO some extent supply the deficiency, but the
expenses Of such an institution would be heavy
The source of this difficulty, it is clear can be
traced, IN great measure, 10 the want Of proper
appreciation in the public mind, ofth position and
business of a teacher The profession for this rear
son, IN addition to the absence of fail
has not been attractive. Indeed, it has scarcely
q
minary step 10 some other pursuit. Well directed
Efforts have recently been made to change the GEN
eral sentiment on this point and rejoice in the be.
lief that these have not been in vain; and that the
day is not far distant, when the profession Of teach
Ing Will be equal 10 the aspirations of the most am
bilious OF our people; when its distinctions digni-
ties and pecuniary rewards will command the time
and attention OF the most gifted. can see no rea-
son why this State of feeling should moi prevail ;
why the profession of teaching should not rank in
honor and profit with other learned professions ;
why the science of developing the human intellect
OF giving scope and force 10 mind-of elevatine
the moral faculties of our race-of controlling the
passions and temperlng the desires, should not be
esteemed as highly those professions and call
lnss, whose ornaments have received all their ca
paclty and polish at the hands oflhe comparatively
humble and lily rewarded teacher.
earnestly recommend the common school sys-
TEN to our guardian care, as the most sacred of all
our institutions. The offspring of constiutio n al
injunction on the Legislature-the extension and
perpetuy of It's usefulness, is the plain duty ofal
Resting at the very foundation of the government
its practical workings should be true reflection Of
our republican system, and lis blessed opporun
ties made available 10 all, regardless OF rank O,
condition, persuasion. II should aid The poor ad
vance the Iich, and make the ignorant wise
confidently anticipate for it, day or great
er perfection and wider influence No beuef OBJ
Ject Can engage me alenilon oil government, than
the education OF the people in the most comprehen
sive sense sot the term embracing the use of let
tiers, the cultivation OF the moral faculties, and The
diffusion OF the christian truth. In this we have
the sures' guarantee Tor The perpeluiiy OF our re-
publican government, and for The enjoyment Of
civil liberty and rellg gIous freedom. Such an edu.
cation may be safely claimed as the mos, potent
means oi preventing crime-of increasing indivd
ual happiness and national digniiy-of promoting
christianity and clvilizaiion-of exrpaing mora
and political evlls-ot elevang, digniying and ad.
orning our social condition.
OuS various charitable and reformaory ius,i,u.
,lons-so creditabIe to the Stale, and which, in
their practical operations, have done SO much ior
the reliet OF suffering humanily-wilI claim the
continued care and bounty the Commonwealth
The Stale Lunalic Hospital at Harrisburg, under
lis presen, efficient control and management, meets
the just aniicpaons OF lis wise and benevolent ad.
voca;es. lis humane and bengnlnt agency in
amelloraing The condition OF the unfortunate class