The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-04-29

the duty of addressing the public; and me
Office who does not do il, fails in his duty.
Some ability therefore to speak in pubic
should be embraced among the requisites of
fitness for the Office.
4. Energy of character and love Tor The
work, are The last essentials that need be
specified. Without these, the highest de-
gree of scholastic attainment, of professional
skill, and of power of expression, will fail,
for the great moving forces Of the required
character will bc wanting. With these pres
ent in large degree, even medium Of quail
ficaiions iu other respects may succeed.
Amongst the qualifications necessary TO
this most important Office, it is, Of Course,
moi deemed requisite to speak Of temper
ance, honesty or industry, nor Of common
sense, suavity Of manners, or knowledge of
human nature. These are requisites TO the
safe and efficient discharge of every public
trust; the one in question being no exception
10 the general rule, bot rather demanding
them in greater degree than most others
In word, and aside from special requisites,
the nearer the character of County Super
isndenl approaches to tina, Of the Christian
gentleman, ihe greater will be his acceptance
and success.
The answer 10 the question, What is an
adequate salary? will depend mainly on the
locality and the experience oflhe past three
years will, in many cases, modify past action
on this point. Macy of the Conventions
fixed the salary in 1854, under total or
very material misapprehenson of the nature
Of the Office, the amount of service required
and the degree of good 10 be effected Now,
in many parts of the State: all these points
are clearly comprehendet, and the action OF
the directors will no doubt be different. No
one who knows The people of Pennsylvania
will, for moment, suppose that injustice
will be done in regulating the compensation
oil those who ere found TO be amongst the
most nsclul, most labofious and most impor.
tant of our public agents. fhe salary mus,
as just remarked, depend on the circum-
stances of each case; still, certain general
principles are indicated by the nature of the
Office and the wants Of The schools, which
il may be useful TO elicit
The first point TO be determined is, wheth-
er the whole, or only a portion, oil the of.
fieer's time will be required for the full dis
charge OF the Office. This will wholly de-
pend on The number of schools in The coua.
ly. If they are materially over 100 aud
should be increased, then the best policy
and the course most productive Of good
will be to pay for his whole time and ser.
vices. 10 such cases more than half of the
year may be most benefcia!ly devoted 10
school visitation, which, 10 be efectual,
should be full and frequent. The rest of The
year can be proftaoly devoted TO The improve.
ment of the Teachers in one or more lnsii'
| lutes Of greater of less duration, 10 the Off.
GERS own improvement and TO The prepare.
| ton of his reports, sc.
In smaller counties a less portion o. the
officers time will be needed, and the salary
may be IN proportion; but in all cases enough
should be given 10 secure his whole time
and efforts 10 the service of the schools while
in operation, and 10 the improvement Of the
teachers during portion of The recess.
The only other general principle 10 be KEEP
in view in arranging the salary, is that o.
making il large enough TO command the
very best professional talent within The reach
OF the Convention. For reasons already Civ.
en-, no other should be thought Of.
The man, then, whom Law, Experience
and the Wants of the System demand fo
County Superintendent, is: a practical Teach
er, tsho IS also an accomplished scholar, and a
ready public speaker; wih sufficient lous for i
to undertake, and energy 10 perform, the gredi
.rork before him; and the salary should be sg'
fcient to compensate him, as far as money can
! for the Efficient discharge Of so great labor.
Wherever such a man is found, he should
be selected. Wherever he has already beer
found, he should be retained.
At the present time il may be proper to re
call 10 the attention of Conventions TO elec
County Supeririendenis, that Section 40 o
the school law of 9Th May, 1854, coufen
upon the Stale Superintendent Of Common
Schools, very considerable powers in refer
enee to the commissioning of the persons
elected. The words alluded to are these:
sIf objection be made within thirty days
10 the issuing Of such commission, the Su.
periniedsnt of Common Schools may re.
quire such evidence, unddr oath or affirma.
ton, in regard 10 The election or qualification
OF the person elected County Superintendent
as he shall deem necessary, and shall then
issue his commission TO the person properly
qualified who shall have received the high.
est number of votes"
Under this provision 1t is competent fol-
any citizen, and il would seem TO be bis du
ty, TO make objection 10 the commissioning
of an unqualified person, and to set in ope
ration, for the good of the system in this re
spect, the powers vested in the State Super
intendeni. 10 view Of This fact, the true
course for Directors in their Convention viii
be, 10 vote for none unless suek as by leam
ing and professional skill are fully quaiifiet
TO discharge all the duties Of the offics.-
Pennsyiuonia School Jour.alJo for Aprii.
IT Is SAID OF PARIS that one of every three
thousand persons commit suicide that tive
thirds of the population cannot afford thu
r