Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1859-11-14

ment0bly detective. The representa-
tives Of tho people will be called upon
to amend the statutes relating TO the
School system, at the approaching ses'
sion of the Legislature. The member
who will lead 10 this matter, and effect
a revision OF the present laws, will prove
himself public benefactor. More car
be done for the rising generation, and
for those who, in few years, will take
our places, by properly digesting .
school system, than by any amount Of
buneombe political speeches and party
mancuvering.
In the annexed article, which we take
great pleasure in copying from the Id
vertiser and Aduoc0te, reference is
made to the school systems OF New
York and Massachusetts,. We apprc-
bend that the school law OF Pennsylva,
MIA, passed in 1854, and which has been
considerably amended since that time,
is now the best in operation in any State
in the Union. Mr.. Uickok, the present
admirable Superintendent Of Common
Schools of that State, has devoted the
last three years to careful examination
of the impcrfcc'ions of the System, as
they did exist, but which have been In
great measure removed through his in>
strumentality. If called upon, he will
chcerfally give his views upon the sub
iect as he is not one of those who de-
sire to hide their lights under a bushel,
nor is his philanthropy confined to his
own State. We say this much from a
personal knowledge of the merits of
that officer, and, in doing SO, we cannot
be charged with political Partially, as
Mr. Hickock was appointed by Gov.
Pollock, Republican executive ofPenn-
sylvania.
"TnE PRESENT School LAw.-Pre-
vious to the existing statutes, Terri
torial, and also State law provided for
local districts, with independent boards OF
officers, with powers Of taxation and the
general management OF school affairs by
each neighborhood organized into
school district. And the first great
change introduced by the new law, now
in force, makes each township or city,
one district, with sub-districts CORES
ponding to thc old neighborhood districts
The principle of taxation also is altered
from the neighborhood vote to that of
the township Or city. County superin-
tendcnts also are substituted for School
Fund Commissioners, having control
over the Congressional lands or school
funds, which are now entrusted to the
county treasurcrs Township boards
take the place Of neighborhood boards
of school officers, with the exception of
one local director in each sub district.
A State Board of Education takes the
place OF the Legislature, in tho enact
ment of rules and regulations, while the
Legislature may repeal all acts of the
Board without the possibility of their
re-enactment and the legislature, also,
has entire control of all the appropria-
tons, and levies of taxes, for school
purposes. The Secretary of the Board
of Education is in the place of the SUI
perintendent of Public Instruction.
Such is general outline of the new and
old system of school laws.
DEFECTS OF THE NEW LAW.
Among the defects of the present
law the following omissions deserve at
tentlon. There is no provision for form
ing sub-districts out of parts of two
townships. 1t often occurs that such
sub. districts would best accommodate
neighborhoods and either the town.
ships must be altered, or the law amend
ed SO IS to allow of such parts Of town.
ships being united in one school organi-
cation, or else great inconvenience to
the inhabitants will follow.
Another serious defect in the law is
found in the payment Of tho county
treasurers, which, as the statute is con-
strued, can only be compelled once in
six months, and not during the interval.
Teachers, contractors and others hold
ing school orders are thus subjected to
great delays and grievous inconvcnien-
ces. Why may not the school fund or
tax be SO kept, as to easily show a
monthly balance to be paid over on de-
mand. and the orders be made payable
according to the date they bear?
Among the defects of the system also,
may be named the want of an associate.
coordinate officer in this single depart
ment, along with the Secretary of the
State Board Of Education. It is utterly
impossible for one man to be in his office
to make legal decisions, and also to
perform the duties assigned abroad, such
as attending conventions Of county SUI
perintendents and the like. In other
States, such as Massachusetts and New
York, there arc two men in the State
Department Of Education, who divide
tie work, at home and abroad, between
them. And, here, let it be suggested.
that if the office Of the State Librarian
we're abolished; and if the State Library.
as it naturally belongs there, were put
under the department Of Education,
with the salary, stationary, fuel and 9th.
er lncidentals of both united in one, the
expense would not be increased; but
both the library and educational depart
ment would be better conducted. The
attention Of the Board and Of the Legis>
lature, may well be directed to this eco