The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-01-11

The former was rejected because OF the
necessary multiplication OF offices which 1t
authorized, and the conflict which perpet-
ually arose between the committees and
directors; and the latter, because IN man
fest hostility to the true intent OF the
common school system. These provisions
which SET med TO contemplate separate
school establishment, under sectarian pat
ronage, although controlled by the com
mon school directors, were originally en-
grated upon the acts of 1886 and 1875
and were again re-enacted in l849. Ihey
were very properly stricken from the syS,
ten hy the law of last session. ohouio
efforts be made in the future, at similar
innovations, come whence they may, 1t Is
boped they may be promptly rejected
The system to be ef1cctual, must be SIMPLE
and Uniform in its operations opeci",
LEGISLATION inconsistent with the general
IaW aprlicable to particular localities or
4 districts to answer temporary or Partia'
onds always has, and always VIII emoar.
80 rnsS tho administration Of the general
system. and should for this reason DC
carefully avoided. The integrity OF It's
forms not less than the means to sustain
its oncrations, should be constantly main
tanned, and scarcely cherished by the gov
ernment.
A new feature in The system, adopted
I in the law of last session, creating the Of
fee of County Superintendent, has not, as
yet, been fully tested: and there evidently
exists some diversity of opinion as to the
wisdom of the provision. 1t is already
very obvious at least, that its beneficial
workings must depend mainly upon the
character of the agents selected to carry
it into operation. Competent and faith
full Superintcndents may produce the hap
piest results; whilst the agency Of the ig
norant or inefficient will he attended by
the reverse consequences. In order tt
give this new feature Of the law fail
rial, it will bc necessary, therefore fol
the directors, in the respective counties
to select Superintendent with sole refer
ence to their adaptation to the duties O
the station.
OF the many obstacles in the way of The
comnlete success Of our Common SchOO
system the one most prominent, aud most
difficult to remove, is the want of conpe
tent teachers In some communities, | re
oret to say, the system has fallen into
comparative incfficiency, because goot
teachers cannot be found; and in others
the most veXatious consequences have a
risen from the employment of the iIlitcratt
and incompetent. Nothing could cXer
else Il more prejudicial influence; indeed
between very bad teacher and none a
} all, the latter alternative might, in man.
instances, he preferred This deficlenc,
: is already manifest, and hard to obviate
Some of the best minds of the State have
] been occupied and perplexed with it; an'
until recently no general and practicable
: plan for its removal had been devised
, The plan of granting permanent pro
+ Iessional certificates, by officers skilled Il
, the art of teaching, and eminent iii litera
J ry and scientific requirements, TO teach
, ers who satisfactorily pass thorough cx
= animation, in tn" several branches Of stud
ch the act OF May, 1854, require
: TO be taught in every district, and also il
: the art of teachings already obviousl
5 effecting decided improvement in this re
=. gard, and it is believed will do much tc
t wards placing the profession upon hig
: and firm basis. Normal schools, it is urge,
+ could in addition, to some extent suppl
S the deficiency, but the expenses Of such a
. institution would he heavy.
{ The source of this difficulty, it is clear
+ can be traced, in great measure, to til
, want of proper appreciation i'll the put
: lie MUD. of the position and business Of
e teacher. The profession for this reason
: in addition to the absence of far compen
= sation, has not been attractive. Indeed
it has scarcely been regarded as a pre-
J fession at all, but as a preliminary ste
to some other pursuit. Well directed ei
forts have recently been made to chang
the general sentiment on this point, and
: rejoice in the belief that these have no
: been in vain; and the day is not FAR diI
tant, when the profession Of teacher Wi
t be equal to the aspirations OF the mos
e ambitious of our people; when its dlstnt
r tions, dignitcs and pecnniary rewards, WI
I command the time and attention of tn
r most gifted. ] can see no reason VII
e this state of feeling should not prevail
+ why the profession Of teacher should nc
2 rank in honor and profit with the othe
k learned professions; why the science
: developing the human intelIect-of giVln
l. scope and force to mind-of elerating th
e moral faculties Of our race--of controllln
the passions aud tempering the desires
y should not be esteemed as highly as thos
- professions and callings, whose ornament
y have received all their capacity at tn
j. hands Of tile comparatively humble an
= iliv rewarded teach r.
. earnestly recommended the commo
i school system to your guardian care, 9
d the most sacred of all our institutions. -
e The offspring of a constitutional injunctio
e on the Legislature the extension an
ot perpetuity OF its usefulness, is the pIai
|, duty of ALL Resting at the very foundi
t ton Of the government, its practical worl
e ings should be true reflection of our r.
c publican system, and its blessed opport'
is mites made available to all, regardless (
E. rank, condition, or persuasion, 1t sboul