Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1857-01-07
HAWx,RYR Arm THIHGRAPH
The seAeel UiII

4 The SeAoof Wl11.
We have referred 70 the excellent recommer
dations Of the Commissioners appointed % reyis
che School Laws This is the most impor.an
subject before the General Assembly. The plal
Of making each civil township il the stsse
School District, appears to rs judicious, for th,
reasons given In the Report, viz:
l. Il facilitates and greatly simpliAes the or
gsnization of districts
9. Il gives much fewer occasions for contro
versies relative TO boundaries
3. II greatly diminshes the number Of dis
trict boards OF directors, and consequently linl.
its the expenses attending there boards.
4. 1t diminishes very much the number Of
presidents Of these boards, aud thus renders the
annual meetings of the county board Of fexamin-
ers and presidents of the district boards far less
numerous in attendance, better calculated for
business purposes, and less expensive
5. 1t renders the position of president of the
| board more honorable, makes It higher mark
Of distinction, gives larger scope for choice,
and will tend to secure for it higher grade of
talent and attainment
o. 1t equalizes among a large community the
burdens imposed in the erection, repairs, and
outfit Of school houses offers much greater fa-
cilties and inducements to establish district Ii
braries and to sustain and increase them.
z. It tends to more equal participation in
the benefit of the common school fund.
s. 1t annihilates, and forever, the possibility
of cutting up a population into small districts,
to which the district system SO frequently leads.
9: It gives to each family in the district the
choice Of schools to which to send, and some
times Of districts, after the location of school
houses is decided upon.
10. 1t leads TO the creation Of more commo-
dious school houses, with larger Accommodations
and means Of instruction.
IL. 1t tends to secure the services of more
accomplished teachers, the Accommodations being
better, and the choice Of schools furnishing the
strongest motives to keep them in the best man
ner.
IL. 1t offers facilities for classifying those of
different ages and attainments, and of employ
ing different grades of teachers in their instruc-
ton.
The Bill also provides for the Office Of County
Superintendent who shall share many of the re.
sponsibilities now belonging to the State Super
intendent, and which have, from the beginning
of the State, been either neglected or shocking
ly abused by that officer. 1t also provides for
school-eIaminations, teachers institutes, and
conventions of school-of6cers in each county, and
for State Convention of the several County Su-
perintendents each year, to be presided over by
the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
This system only needs to be carried out by
faithful and public spirited men to give to the
cause Of Education in our State its just promin-
ence, and to secure, in due time, higher and
more general degree of intelligence among our
whole population than any State in the world
has before gained Let us try to realize it. Let
Excelsior be the watchword. Our own city
greatly needs better School System. A High
Schools indispensable. Provision must be made
for greatly increasing the wages oi Teachers, if
are best qualified.