Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-01-15
GOVERNORS NESyAGE.
Concluded.

mon Schunls, will exhibit to you the number
and condition of the schools-the number Uf
teachers and >choars, and The general opera
tions of the system during the past year
To the valuable statistical information Of
the report, and the useful suggestions for
the improvement of the system, / in yite your
early and intelligent consideration.
From q small and comparatively uniu
portant incident Of the State Department,
the care and management Of the public
schools of the Commonwealth with their
seventeen hundred districts, ten thousand
directors, twelve thousand teachers. and over
five hundred thousand scholars, have become
the most important and laborious branch of
that Department The increase and increas-
ing business of the system has been met by Il
correspondent increase Of zeal, labor and
efficiency in the officers To whom the law has
committed its general direction and super
vision. They should be sustained hv wise
and generous legislation. The magnitude
and Importance Of the system, in its polit-
cal, social and moral relations to the present
and the future Of the people, require that
this should be done. The guardianship of
the mind of the State should occupy a di~-
tiuct and prominent place among the noble
institutions of the Commonwealth. 1t
should receive the efficient aid and encourage
nIent of the government aGd be sustained
by q virtuous and intelligent peopl" If the
revenue and treasures Of the State--her pub
lie i'm mpr0yements-her lands and their titles
require and deserve the marked and diStnc-
tive care of the government, how much more
should her mental and intellectual treasures,
richer than guld-the social and moral i'm
provement of her people, more valuable than
canals and railways-the titles Of her youth
~ al ,f 4 l.:
than any of earth or aught growing out of
its ownership, claim an honorable position,
and receive a care and aid commensurate
with their greater value and usefulness
The County uperintendency, wherever it
has been committed 10 faithful and efficient
men. has fully vindcated the wisdom and
policy of that measure. II is slowly, but
surely removing the prcjudices and gaining
the confidence Of the people. Whatever
defects time and experience may develop, in
this or any other branch If the system.
should be promptly corrected. But until
the necessity for change Is established, the
system, in is unity and integrity. should be
maintained; and if changed, changed only
to render more cert in tie plishment of
noble purposes anu objects.
4 sufficient number of comVetent and
we'll trained teachers is the great want If the
system. In its structure and organization it
is perfect, if not more so, than any of the
systems Of our sister States But the teach
er is wanted to give it proper vitality and
etfcency-to develop its tue furce and val
ue-to secure the great object Of its creation.
the thorough education Of the youth of the
Commonwealth. How can this want be
supplied? How are teachers to be trained
and provided tU meet this !ucatUual &c.
mand? Must our system be iebparded, ami
its uccesS periiled. i'y waiting the slow AMI
unaided efforts of voluntary associations II
furnish the much needed teacher? Voluntary
associations of common school teachers have
&C ;omp Is red l. ucl in heir disinterc>tci AMI
nOble Efforts To remedy this defect. The are
worthy the highest commcnoiatiDn-thcy de-
serve every encouragement. They can ant
will do more bat unaided they cannot oc-
compli>h the object desired. Tie Legislature
must provide the Iemcdy-they can supply
the deficiency. It should be done promptly
and eff ctually. No subject Of greater IN
terest can occupy yonr attention "a leGisla-
tors-nn one appeals more earnestly 10
duty and patriotism.
Ia a former Communication to The LPgisiA-
ture the establishment Of State Normal
schonis, for the eduratDn Of teachers. was
urged as ndispensislly necessary 70 the per-
in their utility and necessity | again recon-
mend them. These institutions, with their
proper professors and appliances supported
by the State would meet the wants and e!e-
vate the character Of our common schools.
Teachers Institutes, as auxiliary to NJr-
NAL Schools when in operation, and supply
ing their place till established, should be
aided by the State One such institute in
each county meeting annually, under the
fostering care Of the government, would be
productive Of most beneficial results. Whilst
il would improve teachers and prepare them
for their important and responsible duties,
it would elevate and dignity q profession too
long neglected and under-valued by those
most deeply interested in their honorable
labors. These measures, as also an addition
to the annual State appropriation for COM
mon schools, in an amount limited only by
the necessities of the Treasury, would give |
energy to the systenl-increase its efficiency |
and thus promote the true interests Of the
people and the Commonwealth.
Our educational, charitable and reforma I
tory institutions have strong claims upon the /
bounty of the people, and | cordially com /!
mend them to your care and hberalty.
The State Luuatic Asylum at Harrisburg, /
and the Western Pennsylrania Hospital for /
the Insane, ana other kindred purposes at
Pittsburg, are nQble charities. and deserve
the aid and encouragement Of the State
The annual reports of these institutions viii .
be laid before yop and will exhibit, in detail
their operations during the past year.
The House of Refuge in Philadelphia, and .
the Western House of Refuge near pittsburg, /
are institutions Of great excellence, and their /
results clearly establish the wisdom of the /
policy that fonnded and sustaius them ought /
not to be neglected ; nor should the aid Of
the Commonwealth be with held from them. 7
The Blind" and the " Deaf and Dumb !
Asylums" at Philadelphia and the Penn /
sylVania Training School for idiotic and .
feehln nindad childrar ,, arn In Ell titntinns |