Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1858-01-23

According to the report, Of Hon. MI
Fisher, Superintendent of Public Schools of.
Iowa, out IT the "a organized counties in
the State, reports have only been received
from the School Fund Commissioners of
twenty six. From the returns 1t appcars
that three-tifths of the children of the State,
of the proper age, did not enter the school
room during the past year. More than one
half of the youth are growing up in igno-
rance, notwithstanding the provisions made
for schools. In Ohio. four-tifths Of the
youth attend school, and the absence of the
other fifth is considered serious evil, de-
manding remedy. Out Of 1906 orgar-
lied school districts in Iowa, only 2.7e8
schools were maintained. 1t is evident
from the Superintendent report, that our
common schools are in a very unsatisfacto-
~ state, Notwithstanding the gratifying fact
that ST. ,784.53 israised IN the sch ,ol dis
tricts by voluntary subscription. SEQ
Tho deplorable state Ut our schools is
mainly attributable t. tho want of an eff
cient school law. This has long been felt,
and the efforts to remedy it have only re-
suited in a patchwork system Of laws enact
ed at different times. ~ &
The report suggests some excellent fea-
CutSS w q ! pho'Io SSuoViHS 'iiSh
it would be becomn g for the State to adopt.
|. recommends that provisions I've made for
the instruction Of the whole people in the
elementary branches Of knowledge, and for
the education OF teachers. 1t also urges the
establishment of High Schools in all the
populous and wealthy counties, and recon :
mends the annual appropriation of ore thou
sand dollars to every county, which raises
an equal amount for their support. 1t rec.
| Ommends the election of county Superin.
tendent of schools and township committees
| to have supervision over the schools, and I,
report to the State superintendent. Mr.
Fisher adopts the views of MesSrs. Benton
Mann and Dean, and recommends that q
township constitute school district, rather
than that il should be divided into several a:
At present.
The estimated amoant Of the 10th sec
ton, school lands, is 1,0ll ,456 acres, o
which 437 ,403 80 acres have been Sold
Tie whole number of acres of school lands
remaining unsold is l993O.75 The pres
ent amount of school fund is SO 03O,554
from which is 10 be deducted 81, 77737 fol
defaIcations. The aver &c rice Of the ant
sold during the past year was 1886 pc
acre. Ii the 6l9,939.75 acres OF schoo
lands unsold, sci at the same price, they
will bring 50, 1872 997.55, which added I,
the existing fund fund, amounts to 81, 2l3,
54l.2O. In addition TO this, it is probabl,
tina, Congress will authorize the allowance
of five per cent. on the lands entered b,
land warrants in this State, as it did II
NJ ssissippl aud Alabama, which will in
crease our fund at least 81 500, 900, and Civ
us T, permanent school tupd Of SIS 500 600.
In the administration of the school fund
under the new Constitution, an entite chang
bee ines necessary, and affords an opporln
nifty for making ample provisions for figi'
supervision OF its management, few gener
al principles for which are laid down am
recommended by Mr.. Fisher.