Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-01-15


the institution viii be enabled 10 test, in his
daily occupation, the truth and value Of the
knowledge communicated.
Much of the land connected with the school
has been successfully cultivated during the past
year. Orchards of every variety Of fruit aud
hedges have been planted, and many valuable
Improvements made. a double sioried barn,
large and convenient, as also the farmers
house and Tart of the. out-buildings have been
erected and occupied.
From the report of the trustees we learn that
''a contract has been made for the erection Of
an eds6ee calculated for the residence OF Pre-
feesors, Lecture Halls and Dormitories for
stuGents, 70 Le built of stone, four stories high,
two hundred and tAirty-tbree feet In front,
With wings, and to cost ffu-fve thousand
dollars. This building is already in progress,
and It Is hoped that a part Of it may be put un-
der roof and be so far Completed IS 10 enable
the Board to make arrangements to receive
few students before the close OF the current
year" The Legislature, at their last session,
appropriated fifty thousand dollars to this in-
stituiCn, onc-haif Of which has been paid; the
remaining Twenty-Five thousand dollars TO be
paid on condition that equal sum be realized
troni other sources, within hiee years froln the
passage OF The act making the appropriation
1be objects and character OF this institution
Its relation to agricultural knowledge, and US
the pioneer in The great work Of agricultural
education, commend ii to the generous patronage
Of the Legislature, and to the Confidence and
iloeralliY Of he people Of the Commonwealth
lhe report to be submitted hy the Super
intendent OF Common Schools will present a
clear and satisfactory statement OF the gene
raj operation OF the system during the past
wear.
The separation of the School from the State
Department, By the act OF the last session, was
AUST tfiou'e 10 the Importance and value OF
eur,eomnon school system. The great educa-
sonal interests of The State, the care and
guardianship Of the intellectual, social aud
moral Improvement Of the youth Of the Com
mon"ealth, should occupy prominent aud IN
dependent position among the departments of
the government. If The care OF the treasure
OF the Commonwealth, the development of her
material wealth, ard the advancement of hcr
pcltlco-econcniieal interests, have received
from the government the marked and distinct
I'VE recognition OF their Importance, how much
more should the mind Of her youth with its
"ondrous activlties---iis constantly unfolding
euergles, ami its infinite superiori,y TO the
material and physical, claim still higher coa-
sIderati0n, and receive from the Representatives
VI the people, more lonored recognition
as an independent department., greater
ttlcleucY viii DC given TO the systenI--a more
direct and Immediate supervision will bo Sc
eureG-ih The details OF Its operation more care
fully obseryed-is dehcie1eies discovered its /!
errors correclet-lhe accomplishment OF lis !
noble purposes and objects rendered more
dangerous -uG6asIng lufinence OF political
excitement, and partizan prejudice
The country superintendent, tested by ex-
Ierience, has realized the gust expectations OF
the trlsnds OF fhe measure, and niay now be re- I
garded US permanent and Indispensable part
oil the system. When committed to competent
snen, il has accomplished a noble work in pro-
uotrg the success aud usefulness OF ous euin-
Ken schools; and wherever the duties of che
Office have been faithfully performed, the char
acter OF the schools, has been elevated, their /
number and the number OF scholars increased, |
ard ihe confidence aud encouragement Of the /
public SECURED IL the ha1ds OF incompetent
tien, these results have not been obtained but (
eu the contrary, opposition has been provoked,
AID the cause OF common school education re- /
fardad. This ofiice should hot be committed TO /
any but men thoroughly qualified by education
and experience for the performance of It's ar
deous spd responsible duties; and If the school I
directors OF any county, in disregard of their /
obligations, from opposition either to the system /
or the Office, select an incompetent person for
the place, the odium of the act, aud of failure /
to secuee he benefits resulting from a proper I
and intelligent administration of the odice.
should rest upon them, and not npon the law
authorizing The appointment. The defects of I
the system, when clearly established, should be I
promptly corrected; but change is not always, /
fefcrm: and nnovatioh, induced by sel6shness /
or prejudice, may endanger its permanency aud |
destroy its efficiency.
The act of the 20th day of May, 1857, pro-
fiding for the due training of teachers for the /
eonulon schools OF the State, by eucoura gng |
the establishment of Normal schools within the I
districts designated in the law, has received the I
cordial appreciation Of all interested in the /
success OF our common schools. The passage |
OF that act Inaugurated new era in the history 1
of common schools education IN Pennsylvania. /
Ii is u movement ia the right direction; full of /
encouragement and hope tor the greater per-
lection and usefulness Of The system. Large /
aud enthusiastic meetings of the friends OF /
education have been held, IN many of tue dis /
srcts, to promote the establishment OF Normal
schools. as contemplated by the aet aud liberal
SUMS of money tave beer subscribed to secure
this desirable object. A noble work has been .
commenced, aud sustained By individual enter-
prise and iberaiity encouraged by the State,
and vindicated by It's own intrinsic merit, it I
must 60 on until State Normal schools, in
number and efficiency, equal to the supply Of I
well-trained teachers, shall become the just
pride aud boast of Pennsylvania.
The organic structure OF onr system is as
perfect, perhaps, as human legislation can make
Ii; but it needs the competent and thoroughly I