The constitutional union., 1860-11-30

Again. thousands of dollars are annually exported to other States, for educational pur- | poses and in this way, we are greatly the sufferers, because we are without colleges, male and tcmale suitable for imparting 1 knowledge of the higher branches.
 Congress, in this behalf, once came to our relief, and donated seyenty-two sections of land for Seminary of Learning. The con- mon malady of distribution, however, oyer- took that grant and but little has been heard of 1t since.
 Is 1t not possible still to apply this fund to its original purpose, by dividing the State into two Educational Districts, and erecting College in each with the money still unap- propriated by the counties Your attention IS respectfully invited to this subject.
 The common School system also seems to be radically defective
 In tie last report made by the Secretary cf State as State Commissioner of Common Schools it may be seen that there are only twenty-five common schools organized and kept up in the whole State, from the common school fund. This is a sad commentary upon the present system.
 Under existing laws, it is made the duty of the common school Commissioners of the different counties, (6fty-fye in numbor) to make out and transmit to the Secretary of State, annually, a report showing the condi- tion of the common schools, and school funds in their counties, respectively
 It is lamentably true, however that out of this number, only three of them have re- ported at all, for the present year; two of which reports are totally devoid of the re- quired information.
 The general law provides for three Trus tees and one Treasurer in each Congressional township. Each county containing thirty five townships would have including the Com missioner, III officers. Multiplying this by the number of counties, and you have in the State. seven thousand seven hundred and ttty-tiyo men to perform what ten would do better. Their compensation Is merely nom naI, and of course their duties are neglected
 There is special law having application exclusively to the counties of Pulaski, Lard and other, therein enumerated, which think superior to that having general application; and which 1t would be well, perhaps, to adopt for the whole State, with the following amendments.
 Frs,--Iho minimum price of $l ? is too low, from which to graduate the sixteenth section, as this act provides.
 Second-The accumulated interest remain ing unappropriatel in inc hands of the county Treasurer ought while in his possession, to bear interest Ut 10 per cent. per annum.
 Ih.rI-DscriminatiOn ought to be made, in distributing the common school fund of the equity, in favor of tho poorer districts, since from the great value of the sixteenth section, in others, sufficient fund is derived therctrom to maintain the schools necessary therein.
 Foarth-The Clerk of the County Court should repeat annually to the Secretary Of ~.ate-hc being ez-ofeio State Commis- siouer-and tLs Information by him commu- nicated ~lroueh the Governor to the General Assembly.
 With these amendments I am persuaded this special law would prove to bo as good a common school system as can at present be devised.