Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-02-12
Pennsylvania Common Schools.

1896 public schools IN the otate, e4ciu
sive of the city of Philadelphia, which is
under different superintendent. They
have been opened during the year on ar
average five months and thirteen days
The pupils attending these schools mum
Der 54l, l,247; including Philadelphia, the
number is 596,OOS. This number is,
however, believed to be considerably be-
low the actual attendance. In tho State,
there are 5000 waiting for admission into
schools, for want Of adequate school ac'
commodations In Philadelphia, numer,
GUS as our schools are, there are, besides,
1860 applicants waiting for admission
Some townships have never put public
schools in operation at all, and it is be-
lieved that there are now in the State
25,7S2 children not enjoying the privilege
of common schools. Including the cost
of buildings, the average cost of instruc'
tion is 65 cents for each pupil, or about
IS 60! for the five months and half
that the schools are open. The total cost
of the system, including all expenses, and
including Philadelphia, is 1925, $50, or
less than 81 per year to each pupil. The
total number of teachers employed, is
13,445. The average salaries of the male
teachers per month, is S24 female teach
ers, SIG 60. In the city Of Philadelphia,
of course, the salaries are much higher,
for here teaching is profession, and not,
as is too often the case in the country,
merely adopted for temporary support.
Normal Schools and Teachers Institutes
are doing much to elevate the standard of
education in the State, and raising the
profession Of teacher to an independent
and honorable position, taking equal rank
with other learned professions. The Su-
perintendent pays high compliment to
the school system, which is acknowledged
to be one of the best in the country, and
other States are SO much impressed with
its structure and working that they are
endeavoring to shape their policy by our
example. There is vast amount of in
formation in the Report respecting the
operations of the school system in each
county of the State, and We are pleased to
see that there is better supervision,
more time bestowed upon the duties, and
gradual and marked improvement in the
organization and operations of the schools.
GThe foregoing is from the Ledger of
Philadelphia. The following extract from
the Report of Mr.. HICKoK itself, points
out, We think, the true policy for the fu-
ture j
No changes in the school laws are pro-
posed. What the system me- needs, is
to be let alone, until it can have time to
develop: for it is peculiarly thing of
popular growth as we'll as of legislative
creation. Constant changes in the schoo!
laws embarrass and dishearten the plain
men-not lawyers-who are charged with
their administration in the respective dis
tricts. Public opinion will remain unset
tied, so long as there is expectation, or
fear, of continual change; but if it is dis.
covered that the system is reasonably per.
manent, they will the more readily and
cheerfully adapt themselves to it. Penn
sylvania is emphatically the land Of steady
habits, and unsuited to the legislative fuc-
tuations that have been SO damaging to
the school system of a neighboring State.
Stability and habit are cardinal virtues in
this connection, and not to be lightly
valued.
The system has been twenty-five years
in attaining its present complete and SYM
metrical proportions. During that long
period, the strong hand Of legislative pow
er has mover been lifted to strike down its
frame work, or cripple its energies.
Through all vicissitudes, its record has
been one of persistent progress. Its pro-
visions are of general application and,
wherever they have been fairly and faith
fully carried ont, have never failed of sue
cess. The multitude of difficulties con-
stantly presented to the Department, orig |
mate in ignorance Of the letter Of the law,
or misapprehension or disregard Of its pro-
visions; and these no legislation can REM
edy.
The correction by the Legislature of
one local difficulty, would create hundred
others elsewhere, and make confusion in.
stead Of harmony. The most daring limo.
vator, who knows anything of the people
of Pennsylvania and their institutions,
who should watch the working of the sys.
tenn from central position in this depart
ment, or thread his way from county to
county, carefully studying the diversified
people and circumstances with which it
has to deal, would be led irrcsistibly to a
conviction Of its great superiority as it is,
and would shrink from any attempt to
change its features, or modify its details,