The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-01-18
COVINGTON NEWS.

KENTUCKY FRsE-S0HoOL SYsTEM.-In every
state IN the uoi9n the progress Of popular education
nas been gradual. In some Of them steps have beer
means ofwhich every child might receive the benef
OF common education, even while the States were
But like almost every other American Institution
Il was an experiment; indeed our whole career may
be said to have been but series Of experiments-af
attempt OF man TO diyest himself Of the bogtry the
Intolerance, the superstition and the artificial dis
nctions which have exist ed In European civilization
long had system of popular educaton but il IL ex
cluslyey sectarian, and the mind Of every child re
ceiyed, IN connection with practical lessons on tbs
| elementary sciences, q thorough training in dog,
SCHOOLS, ip which science and the general princi
pies OF morality should be taught disconnected from
obstruse speculations concerning original sim tbt
fall Of man the relative merit of faith and works
and foreordination, If they had ever entered the
earded as ;inadel and chimericaI. Every thing Wst
encumbered by numerous formalities, and the sub
stance enveloped in the shadow.
These defects early tered into the popular educa
ton OF America, but were, by one, discarded az
liberal sentiments prevailed. New England was the
and her example was quickly followed by New York
ana the other Northera states; and almost the nrs
sohoos N Ss + to s
elementary instructions.
Some Of the States, however, failing to perceive OF
permitted deep lethargy to entirely overrne theil
convictions OF right and policy. Others have made
ssss IN the ,ght directions: but The
not the faults Of sighted legislators but The
Pre- eminent in this latter category, stands the
Commonwealth Of Kentucky. In 1888, the first Su.
perintendent of Public Instruction j. j. Bui
the Governor. He exerted himself with snerey and
vgor to induce the Legislature to adopt adea uato
for the S f1Indston Of complete common
resigned after year Of hard labor, urging the
necessity not only Of common schools but those Of
qualify tn smselyes, without the enormous expense
attendant upon the ordinary academic or collegiate
instruction, an expense sufficient to constitute bar
and thereby make the State entirely dependent
upon foreign teachers for instructio.
His %s,S k9y H. "a KSysnsush now Bishop
continued In office year His efforts were directed
in nearly the same channel as those
mendations Of the establishment Of Normal School
were disregarded by the Legislature, and his argu-
ments IN favor of Common Schools fell to the ground
Rev. B. B. Smith was the third Superintendent,
warm friend Of education but two years of hard labor
dd little toward accomplishing the object sought
measure.
Rev. G. W. Brush succeeded Mr.. Smith in 1912, and
only remained In office one year. His efforts like
those Of his predecessor, were almost II not alto.
Rev. b. i. billiard was his successor and fifth in
the nst OF Super1ntendents. He. In turn, was sue.
oeeded by Rev. r. j. Breokinridge, to whose untring
exertons Kentucky 10 indebted for what little eff,
cheney and vitality her present Common School sys.
rather others fault than his. he cOmprehepded
fully the necessities of the people; was we'll versed In
the demands OF the age, and had no been properly
seconded not only by the people, but by surrounding
circumstances, Kentucky might have riyaled Ohio
In her educational facilities.
Previous to 1871, no reports from any public schools
were received BY the Commissioners. That year
being the first To exhibit the slow progress made
during the few succeeding years, we have compiled
from authentic sources statistics of the number of
scholars residing in the districts organized by law
and entitled to receive aid from the State; and also
the average daily attendance during three months OF
so small was the amount of the school fund.- SO little
the interest manife,ted or 90 strong the opposition
to charity schools, that few neighborhoods cared
to avail themselves Of any benefits that might arise
from State assistance: