Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-01-14
VOL. 4. NO. II.

VI ho it"uptlpiZe duu cOltfDl. the uet-
rlneDt of the public. tbis traffic in deprecia-
ted bank paper, without restraint and without
taxation.
The report of the Superiutebdont mt of Com
mon Schools, will exhibit 10 you The number
and condition of the schoos-the number of
teachers ahd scholars, aud the general op.ra-
tious of the SYSTEM during tne past year. To
the valuable statistical information of the re-
port. and the useful suggestions for the i'm
prpvelneBt of the system. L iuvite Your early
aud intelligent consideration,
From !. snail and comparatively unimpor.
tant branch OF that Department, the care and
infringement OF The public schools of the Com
lnohw eaith. with their seventeen hundred
districts, ten thousand directors, twelve thous-
and teachers. aud five hundred thousand
scholars, have become the most impori ant and
laboriUus branch of that Department The
increased and increasing business of the sys-
tcm has been met by correspondent increase
OF Zeal, labor ahd efficiency III the officers, to
whom the law has committed its general d.
recrlnn and supervision. They should be
sustained by wise and generous Legislation.
+ he magnitude and Importance of the system,
! III lis Political social and moral relations to
the pre-. ent and fu;u of the people, require
that this should be done. The guardianship
of the mind of the State should occupy dis
tinct aud prominent place among the institu-
tions of the Comno Iweath. 1t should re-
ceive the efficient aid and encouragement of
the government. and be sustained by virtu-
Gus and intelligent people. If the revenue
aud treasuTefs of the State-her public in
prorements-hcr lauds and their titles. re-
quire ana deserve the marked and distinctive
of the government, low much more
should her m,n ntai ahd intellectual treasures.
iicber than suld the social and moral i'm
prcvrnlcnt cf her people, more valuable than
canai> aud Taiiway s-the titics OF her youth
10 the touudiees fields OF lne Wedge higher
than any II earth or aught growing out OF its
ownership, ciail "n horolable position, and
receive IA care aud aid commensurate with
tLeir greater value and usefulness
The county Superipteudency, wherever it
has been cuLmittcd 10 faithful aud Efficient
men has fully vindicated he wisdom and poll
Icy uf that measure. L; Is slowly, but surely
removing the preludices and gaining the con-
HdeEce of the people. y hatever defects time
and experience nay vel. in this or any
other braneh OF the :, stem, should be prompt-
~ corrected. But until the necessity for
cnauge Is established, the s> stem, in its unity
amI integrity, should be maintained; and If
changed, changed only 10 render more certain
the accomplishment of Its noble purposes and
objects.
y sufficient number of competent and well
trained I, achers is the great want of the sys-
tcui. In lis structure and organization it is
Perfect. if not more SO, than any of the sys-
tens Ui our sister Stat,s. But the teacher Is
waited t" give 1t proper vitality aud eficiency
10 uevclip Its true 1, rec and value-to secure
The great Oulert Ui Its creation, the thorough
education Uf tue youth of the Commonwealth
iiow can this Want be supplied? :Iow are
teachers TO be trained and provided 10 meet
tais educational demand? Must we be depen-
damt upon tue training schools of other States?
Must ysten be leoparuized. aud its sue
periiieu, by waiting the slow and unaided
riur.s ui voluntary associations TO furnish the
much needed Ie;cner: Voluntary associations
q! co.niion sch Dol teachers have ACCOMPLISHED
much iii their disnteresIed and noble efforts
t. ren.euy this defect. They are worthy the
uI~hes cumnicudutIUn-tbe desetve every
encouragement They can and viii do more
but Uuaued they cannot accomplish the object
Il, sired The Legislature must provide the
fenIedy-.hey Can supply the deficiency 1t
should lie dune promptly and effectually. No
subject greater interest occupy YOUR at
tendon as leglslators-no one appeals mo- o
earnestly 10 duty aud patriotism.
IL "a communication to the Legislature tie
estauii ishlncuJ af StItc Normal schools. for
tue cducNtloH VI iSdcucrSs was ufgcU as ln0IS-
peiIsSbly necessary 10 the p.rfvcton of the
y stem With iuii confidence in their utility
and neceS ity. [ again recommend them
THESE institutions with their proper professors,
aud I,Itianccs, Supported by the State, would
meet Ihe wants aud elevate the character of
our common schools.
Teachers Institutes, as auxiliary to Normal
Sciuoi>, when III operation, aud supplying
thei" place TIL cstatlI> he'd should be aided bv
toe State. Oue such institute in each county.
meeting annually, un Ter The fostering care of
Ihe govcr, meHt, would be productive of most
bcnciicial results Whilst it would improve
tcaullets aud prepare them for their mportant
aud re,puusible duties, 1t would elevate and
= / .uity a profession too long neglected and
under valrcd by those most deeply interested
IL taelr honorable l40ors. These measures.
as al<o an addition to the annual State appro-
priation ior common schools. In an amount
limited cnly by tue necessities of tue Treasu-
ry, would give energy TO the sysiem-iucrease
lis cilci1noy-and thus promote the true in
terests OF the peeplc and the Commonwealth.
Our educailou,,l. charitable and refor,nato-
ry Institutions have strong claims upon the
bounty of The pe"pl,, aud | cordially COM
menu them IL Your care and iioeralty
The State l.aaatic Asylum ct Harrisburg,
and the Western Pennsylvania Hospital for r
the Insane, aud other kindred purposes at
Piitsbnrs. are noble charities, and deserve the
aid aud encouragement OF the State Thean.
nual reports OF these institutions will be laid
before you. and will exhibit, in detail their
operations during the past year.
The House of Refuge in Philadelphia. and
oep paf,