Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-12

and to properly direct, this fountain-head of
social influence, is, it seems to me, the great
duty Of the law maker, in his highest and
most responsible capacity, as the framer of the
future of the State.
The attention of the General Assembly was
called, somewhat at length, to the existing
condition and future requirements Of our school
system, in the annual message of last year.
1t is not, therefore, necessary to repeat the
suggestion and conclusions then presented.
They are again, however, commended to your
favorable consideration the exents and ex-
perience of the Intervening period, having in
creased the conviction of their propriety. This
is especially the case, in regard to the plan
devised by the act of Goth OF May, 1851, for
the due training of teachers for the common
schools of the State. A full supply of CON-
petent teachers, is admitted by all, to be the
great need of the system, and the first want
to be provided for. Unerring indications, in
every quarter, not only establish this fact, but
point to the general adoption of the proposed
means, at no distant day. The efforts of the
teachers, themselves, for professional improve.
ment, encouraged and sustained by all who
duly estimate the value and influence of the
teachers Office, not only foretell this but the
strong public sentiment in favor of Institutions
for the purpose in question, confirms the prob
ability of this result In every quarter, ndi-
cations of this kind are perceived-more or
less strong in proportion to the force of local
circumstances In the Second Normal dis
trict, composed Of the counties of Lancaster,
York and Lebanon, an Institution, up to the
full requirements of the law of l847, has been
established and officially recognized, and is now
in successful operation, as State Normal
school, For its details the Legislature is re-
Spectfully referred to the annual report Of the
Superintendent of Common Schools but,
should do injustice to the intelligent enterprise
which moulded, and the large philanthrophy
which produced, this noble institution, as well
as to my own feelings, were l to forbear con-
graduating you upon the result. 1t is the
first fruit of law which seems to be as much
in accordance with the cautious, yet generous,
character of our people, as it is. admirably
adapted to effect the great end in view.
All that seems requisite to give full effect
and general success to the plan, is, at this
iuncture, to guard it from mutilatiOn, or rad
ical change. If the intelligent aud liberal
minds that are now weighing the project, and
contemplating its extension to other parts of
the State, be assured that this IS the settled
policy, their efforts will be concentrated, their
activity increased, and final success be fastened.
Whereas, radical or important charges, will
destroy this growing confidence, crush the
hopeful efforts now being made, and postpone
for years, if not destroy, all hope Of success
in this essential department of public inStruc-
ton. The true course will be to cherish the
law, and bring it into general operation, by
holding ont the certainty of State aid to each
institution established uader it, as soon as a
certain number, to be fixed by law, shall have
been legally recognized, and are in full opera
ton The money o.! the State, appropriated
in this manner, will effect more benefit, in pro-
portion to the outlay, than in any other of the
operations of the system. The instruction Of
child, is duty; but the instruction of a
teacher, is economy as well as duty. 1t will
probably be advisable to make such appropra-
tionS, payable only when the schools are legally
recognized and in full operation. This course
will have the double effect Of guarding against
loss by the State, and of stimulating, into
early existence, sufficient number of institu-
tionS to supply the existing want in every
quarter of the State.
The period for the third election of County
Superintendeats is rapidly approaching and
the public mind will naturally be turned to the
results of the Office. My own observation, as
we'll as information from various and reliable
sources, leads to the opinion, that this Office,
when filled by the proper person, and its du
ties discharged in full compliance with the de-
sign sgd spirit of the law creating it, has been
of great advantage to the schools. Indeed,
no candid person can denv the fact, apparent
4: L.. II. +l,,t
ment has been effected in the workings and
results of the system, since the creation of the
Office of County Superintendent, than in any
previous period of even double duration. 1t
is true, that when exercised by incompetent
officers, or crippled by insufficient compensa-
tions, little, if any, advantage has accrued.
But this is no argument against the Office it.
self aud it is to be hoped that the directors
of counties thus heretofore deprived of the
benefits of this agency, will, at the next cleo
ton acting under the teachings Of experience
at home, and the light of success from other
parts correct this evil aud realize the full
benefits of this provision of the law.
| The increasing ease and sOundness of our
| financial condition. will, at no remote period
! Justify an addition to the common school ap-
preparation The general policy of the State
has been that each district shall raise within
itself the main support Of its own schools /;
but, an annual donation, distrbutable amongst
them all, in proportion TO population, has also
been part of that policy. The object of
this State grant seems to be two-fold First
1t is means of securing regularity in the
proceedings and reports of the several dis.
trcts, so that the Department of Common
Schools shall have the requisite information
for the due discharge of its functions: And
second-It lightens, in some degree, the bur
den of local taxations to the relief of the
poorer and more sparsely peopled districts.
An increase of the annual appropriation would
enhance both these objects, and, whenever the