, 1856-11-07
LAWS OF IHE UNIFIED SIAIES.

BY AUTHORITY.

assembled That the levy court Of the county Of Wash
ington in the District Of Columbia at their hrst meet
ing after the passage of this act shall appoint seven
intelligent inhabitants Of the said county who shall re-
side without the limits of the cities OF Washington and
Georgetown, two of whom shall be residents OF that
portion of the said county lying and being west Of
Rock Creek three between Rock Creek and the East
ern Branch, and two east and south of the Eastern
Branch to be commissioners Of primary schools for
said county which said commissioners shall hold their
offices Sntil the second Monday in May, in the year
one thousand eight hundred and ifty-seven, and until
others appointed in their places; and in any
Of the said commissioners thus appointed to be ap
pointed aforesaid shall refuse to serve, die
remove from the county or become incapable OF serv
ing the vacancy or vacancies shall be filed by the
levy court as soon as practicable
Sec. 2. And be ii further enacted, That each OF the
said commissioners before he enters upon the execu
tion of his Office, and within fifteen days after noca
ton Of his appointment by the said levy court, shall
take and subscribe an oath before justice Of the
peace Of the said county in the form following that is
TO say: /, -, do soemny and sincerely promise
and swear, Tor affirm, the case may be) that will
in all things, to the best Of my knowledge and ability
well and truly execute the trust reposed in me as com
missioner Of primary schools for the county, without
favor partaty; and every justice Of the peace be
fore whom such oath shall be taken shall without fee
or reward, certify the same in writing, and within
eight days thereafter transmit deliver said certi
cate to the clerk of the levy court for record.
Sec. 5. And be il further enacted, That it shall be
the duty Of the commissioners Of primary schools,
majority Of them TO divide the county into suit
able and convenient school districts, two Of which
shall be located west Of Rock creek three between
Rock creek and the Eastern Branch and two east and
south Of the Eastern Branch and to alter and regulate
the same as hereinafter provided And II shall be the
further duty of the commissioners Of primary schools
Aforesaid Immediately after the formation or altera
ton Of any such school districts in said county to de-
scribe and number the same, and deliver the descrp
ton and number thereof, in writing TO the clerk Of
the levy court who is hereby required to receive and
record the same in the records Of the court without
fee reward; and, ProUded That in laying of said
school districts in altering the same tracts
parts Of tracts, Of land lying contiguous and forming
farm, shall be divided that portions Of the
property shall be included in two separate districts
Sec. 4, And be il further enacted, That the said
commissioners may alter and change the school dis
trcts with view to their better Arrangement and the
more general convenience OF the people: ProUided,
Ooepe That unless the trustees Of the districts so TO
be altered or changed shall assent thereto such al
teration or change shall be made.
Sec s. dnd be Il further enacted That il shall be
the duty of the county collector to notify the different
officers TO be appointed in virtue Of the provisions of
this act Of their appointments within ten days after
his having received notice of such appointments with
in ten days after his having received notice of such
appointments from the appointing power, whose duty
II shall be to give such notice TO the county collector
Aforesaid.
Sec. 6. And be il further enacted, That the said
commissioners shall hold two stated meetings In each
year, which meetings shall be held at such place and
at such times as shall be determined on by said com
mssioners and Of which they shall give public notice
In each Of said school districts and such other meet
ings as circumstances may from time TO time require
but II less than three members attend any meeting
business shall be transacted thereat except that Oh ad
iournnR 10 some time and place. 10 be agreed on bv
the commissioners present. and at all meetings Of said
commissioners the treasurer Of the school fund Of the
county, hereinafter TO be appointed, shall attend and
lay before them his books and aecounts for their in
spection and examination.
Sec. I. And Be Il further enacted, That the said
commissioners shall cause to be kept regular record
OF all their acts and proceedings in book TO be kept
for that PURPOSE and said record or a copy thereof
certified TO be correct under the hands and seals Of
majority Of said board Of COMMISSIONER shall be con-
sdered evidence Of their acts and proceedings in all
judicial proceedings And the board Of commissioners
Aforesaid shall have power to appoint clerk prescribe
his duties and pay him salary, and also TO allow the
treasurer Of the school fund hereinafter TO be appoint
ed an annual compensation for his services out Of the
general school fund hereinafter 10 be provided Pro
Uded That neither the said clerk nor treasurer shall
be paid more than one hundred dollars per annum
6ec g. dnd be IL further enacted That on or about
the second Monday in May in the year eighteen hun
dred and fty-seven, and annually thereafter the said
levy court shall appoint one Of said board Of commits
sioners from each primary school district; and the said
commissioners appointed as aforesaid shall each &C.
ting In his respective district examine all persons who
shall oder themselves as candidates for teaching in
such district; and In such examination 1t shall be the
duty Of the commissioners aforesaid to inquire and
far a. he shall be enabled thereto 10 ascertain and in
form himself as 10 all the qualifications mentioned and
contained IN the cerhcale hereinafter specified and
given In FORM and 4 he shall be satisfied TO the suf
hciency Of suoh qualifications, he shall certify In writ
ing under his hand and deliver such certificate TO the
persons 80 examined by MIN as Aforesaid in form and
substance following, viz l. the undersigned resident
commissioner Of primary schools Of district No. - do
certify that have examined and do be.
heve he (or she the case may bel Is Of good NOR
al character and Of sufficient learning and ability and
in all other respects well qualified 10 teach primary
school. Given under my hand the - day Of
in the year Of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and commissioner Of primary
school district No. -. And dismiss any intemperate
cruel negligent or immoral teachers and cause 70 be
put up in every school house such general system Of
rules and regulations as may be adopted by The board
Of commissioners which board shall also direct what
books shall be used, and what branches shall be
taught; and the resident commissioners aforesaid shall
visit the schools In each Of their respective districts at
least twice year, exercise general supervision and
enveavor TO promote full, equal and useful instruc
ton OF the youth Of said county.
Sec g. And De Il further enacted, That whenever
any school district shall be formed BY the commission
ers o. primary schools as aforesaid It shall be the du
OF the SAID commissioner within twenty days there
AFTER TO make notice in writing describing the metes
and bounds Of such district, and appoint time and
place for the inst district meeting, and notify the tax
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