Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-09-06
For the Iuteisencer.l
THE PUBLIC SGH0OLs-N0. i.
BY ]. n. BOYD.

For the Intellgencer.l
THE PUBLIC SCHOOIS--N0. i.
BY J. N. BOYD.
We propose, in a series Of articles, which
sha!kappear insas quick succession asipossi6le,
to discuss the proprietyxo ablishing in this
city, the Office Of upelint endent of the Public
iSchoolsI Hold Inpatient taxpayers, don't be
alarmed but read on. We dotnot propose TO
burden you}with additional taxes to support the
office, BUTTON the contrary, we have come to
your relief: Il is the almost fabulous amount
that is annually expended in this city. for edu-
cational purposes, and the little good that is
rendered in return, that has induced the writer
to bring the subject before the people.
We takesit for granted that decided majori-
ty-of- our citizens is in favor of free schools.
1t is too late day the history of civilization
to discuss their advantages. We might discuss
With equal sense, the advantages ofsunshine or
the. free winds of heaven. That citysor State
must be on the sunset side of bar barism, when
her officers or people will stop TO parley over
this question. The advantages of a Free School
System can never be told, for they reach into
intinitude The dcathleSs energies, the high
hopes andip polished intcllige Of pupil cher
ished by its fostering care, bring him to a sue
cessful manhood and an honorable old age, for
in throwing aside the distinctions of caste, The
sees humanity in al5its different phases and if
we would give strength to the pillars of State,
We must chise them from the rough granite
of the lower classes The child of the me-
chanic, with his sun6rowned cheek and
torn coat, longs to routstrip, intellectually,
the tender sprout ofsthe aristocratic stock as he
now does physically; and isnceds no array of
Statistics to prove that our best, our most hon
orable men, have risenehigh up in the social
fabric, who first appeared beneath its founda-
tions. five would be free thinking, free,
out:spoken people, we must educate the man in
his homage.
We shall not pursue this point farther, but
address ourselves, at-once, to the main subject
before US. We have just two propositions to
submit aud demonstrate.
First, The creation of the Office of Superin-
tendent of the Public Schools of the city, will
diminish the aggregate amount paid to teachers
more than sufficient to give said officer fair
salary for his services, and thereby lessen taxa
ton.
Second, Through the instrumentalityi of an
efficient Superintendent, the teachers will be
vastly improved in the practice of the cart of
Teaching" and consequently the schools will be
improved and elevated TO the highest standard
in the point of excellence
The first of these propositions we shall prove
and subtraction; the second, will be established
by evidence derived from knowledge of the
workings of the system III other places.
We shallleave the discussion of these propo-
sitiuns for future articles, and proceed to define
in as brief manner rs possible, some OF the
uu1leS %hlcn ShOuld belong to the Office. 1t
should be the duty of the Superintendent, as
sisted by two or three others whom he may call
to his aid to examine all applicants for teach
ing reject them, or give a certificate, graded
with reference to their qualifications; he should
lact'underthe advice and direction of the Board
of Commissioners, ana should have the general
superintendent of all the Public Schools in the
city, school houses, furniture, books. apparatus
&c He should devote himself exclusively to
the duties of his Office, He should daily visit
the schools and cndeavor to transfer improve
mcnts and remedy defects He should carefully
observe the teaching and discipline of all the
teachers and report TO the Trustees, whenever
he may find any teachcr deficient or incompe:
tent in-the discharge of his or her duties In
his visits, he should address words of cncour>
suggestions as he may deem necessary for the
good Of the school.
OF his qualifications and other duties, we
shall speak in our5next.