Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-01
LOCAL ITEMS.
Bradford County Teachers Association

~'ss'~ VA euO AoSh ahu lOtn uit Ihe ASSo-
citation met in the Methodist Episcopal Cbrrcb
on Friday 18th, at llth o'clock Al ord
was called to order by Mr.. O. j. Chubbuck ot
Orwell, one of the yice-Presidents. After
the reading Of the minutes of the last mee,;n,.
the committee to prepare business for tbio
meeting presented their report, which was 90
cepted, and Messrs. Coburn, O. w. Steven.
and Dr. Coburn were appointed a commi,ts.
to arrange the order Of business for this meet
ing.
p D. Morrow, ESQ., who had been appoint.
ed to deliver an address, before the Associa,ion
having been unaEoidably prevented from at.
tending this meeting, it was was on motion
Resolved, That Mr.. eoburn be requested to
address the Association, on The subject Of Ed.
ucation during our present sessions.
The committee to arrange the order os hu
siness reported and their report was accented
and adopted and then the Association al.
journed till half past one P. M.
The Association met pursuant to adiourr.
ment DIR. Bliss, the President, in the chair
Mr. Coburn offered resolution DECLARING #
to be of great importance to the interests Of
Education in this State, that the general S,.
perintendance of the Schools Of the State ho
separated from the duties of the Secretary of
State, and committed to distinct and sena,.
ate officer. Mr. Coburn advocated the resoIn.
ton showing that the business of superiu,eDd.
ing and managing the general educational in.
terests of the State was in its nature distinct
from the duties of the Secretary of State. and
that the adoption of the policy, recommended
in the resolution, had in the State of New
York, been accompanied with highly beneficial
results TO the cause of education. The reso.
luton was on the other hand opposed as mex
pedient in an economical point of view since
the policy proposed would occasion an unneeps
sary expenditure of the school funds of the
State The discussion was carried on hv
MeSsrs. Colt, Guyer and Barnes-when the
resolution was adopted, as follows
Whereas, the duties of the Secretary Of
State are separate and distinct from those be.
longing to the Superintendent of Schools. re-
quiring entirely different qualifications and ex.
perence in different department Of industry.
And whereas, the interest of the cause of the
common schools of the Commonwealth. is in
our opinion, of sufficient Importance to require
the undivided attention of the best talent in
the State.
Therefore, Resolved, That the Office Of Su
perintendent of Common Schools should be
separated from the Secretaryship and the in,
cumbent be elected by the several County Su.
perintendentS.
The association then took up for considera-
ton the following resolution
Resolved, That We believe that uniform
tax should be levied upon the property Of the
State for the support of the Common Schools
Of the same. After some remarks the further
consideration of the subject was postponed
until the evening session.
Some statements were then made by the
Secretary and President in regard to the na
ture and design of the association. The consti,
tuition was read aud an opportunity afforded
to join the Association. Considerable and in
portant acceSsions were made at this meeting
to the membership of the Association Sd'
journed till half past p NJ.
6 l-2 p. NJ, met and took up the subject
of taxation for the support of schools. The
debate on this question was carried on with no
small display of animation and of argument
the resolution was advocated on the ground Of
the advantage of general education in prOmot
ing general security of person and property
and the duty of every citizen to sustain the
means of preserving this security as The rich
derive greater advantage, they ough toOeaF
proportionate share of the burden OF snp'
port, on the ground of the unity of the STATE
and the tendency of diverse local systems Of
supporting schools to foster sectional ieeF
ing, which was contrary to the genius OF oG
government. 1t was argued again, that as tn
centres of influence and wealth derive 'hl
influence and wealth from the Industry a@
productive labor of the surrounding COUNTY,,
so they ought, according to the analogy
some laws in the physical world, reclpfocs''
compensate by sending back the means oI nv
noting social elevation and prosperity, I|
advantage of uniform system Of taAa''1
was argued also, from its direct tendenc!
promote desirable uniformity in the genera
system of education. On the other hand !"
resolution was opposed on the ground @ -
impractcablity in view Of the very eXIen"
partlality in the assessing of taxes, ana j.
unjust operation OH those places when H'r
according to law, support their own schools
was argued moreover, that such system "V'I
exclude the opportunity for the exercise