Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-07-24

within the year-one applicant only rejected
In some Districts the attendance of teachers
and people was quite respectable, in quantity
and quality In ten Districts failed to meet
either teachers or Directors. In consequence
OF this failure, gave private audience to more
than fifty teachers; this was attended with
great loss of time in visitations. No certifi-
cate annued.
| Neral Instruction is given in three fourths
| of our schools, either by Scripture readings,
ext-book. orally or by precept. must, how
ever IN truth but with pain say, that in many
| schools no snch instruction is given in any
way whatever, as far as | could see or learn.
| All the schools in every District were visi-
| ted once, excepted eleven; twenty -eight twice,
and nine third time. The Average length of
visits ninety minutes.
| The whole NUM- Der of Directors in the coun-
| ty, when the Boards are full, is one hundred
and eighty; not more than two at any time
accompanied me at visitations much more
frequently none.
No County Institutes this year-politcal ex-
citement in the fall, and war excitement in the
spring seem to forbid or excuse them. In the
Districts of Beccaria, Burnside, Guelich and
Morris, Institutes were regularly held one eve-
ming every other week in two of which, the
good effects on the Districts were very evident.
In Pike, the Directors had a clause in their
articles, providing that the teachers should
/ establish and attend an Institute day In
every alternate week during the term; but
for some cause other it never carried
into operation. / should be glad to this
feature of the system carried into effect in
every District at the commencement of the
next term.
District Secretaries acting as District Super
intendents-none worthy of the name. Recor-
ding Secretaries of the Board receive from
two dollars and fifty cents up to ten dollars
each annually.
Good progress is manifest in some schools
in erery District In others no perceptible i'm
provement worth naming though am well
satisfied no retrograde movement can be laid
to our charge.
Almost everything depends upon an efficient
Directory which is the backbone of the syS-
tenn, and regular attendance of pupils ii the
people could only see it irregularity in at
tendance is the greatest drawback we have to
contend with. Public sentiment is mostly IA
vorable to the school system; it is taken to be
fixed fact, though occasionally hear it de-
cried. / have heen more or less connected with
the schools of this county for the past eight
years and although the advancement has not
been as manifest as / could desire, yet there
has been an improvement in public sentiment
favourable to education, and prospects bright
ened within that period which cannot we'll be
over estimated.
No new or untried plans for next year have
been matured, nor is it intended to experiment
upon any thing of doubtful expediency. The
opposition to the county y,sgperintendeRcy that
has been felt to exist, is fast giving way and
prudent course pursued by that officer will
enable him TO blend into harmony the most
dscordant elements of public opinion in rela-
tion to it.
A few boards of Directors, not having the
fear of the county superintendent before their
eyes, continue to employ teachers without
bicn han ell Ia
and cannot longer be tolerated. There is no
justice in subjecting one class or teachers to
the ordeal of an examination, and let another
class, not more meritorious, escape. 1 have
refused to recognize visit such illegal
schools. Teachers next year may desire the
same privilege and claim this as a precedent,
and there would be no end to the difficulty.
1t would be we'll if Directors and parents could
visit the schools more frequently; none of
them visit very often, and some not at all
true there are few worthy exceptions.
A goodly number of teachers are laboring
with commendable zeal to make Improvement
in other departments of learning, so that they
may be able the better to give instruction in
those named in the law; for it is fact, that
teachers cannot know too much to mpart in
struction even in the most elementary branch
they are also shaping their course towards OBJ
tanning the county certificate. If other teach
ers could be induced to initiate this example
successfully, they would be more fortunate in
procuring employment, and would likely OBJ
tain better compensation for their services,
than at present. JESSE BRooMALL,
County Superintendent.
Curwensvlle, 9th mo. 25th, 1861.
LYNCHIHG Notwithstanding to the
Mobile papers, some of the ladies of that city
recently waited upon female teacher, who
was reported to have spoken against disunion
and the Southern Confederacy, and gave her
notice that she would be taken severely in
hand if she did not leave by day they named.
They say she left. Not merely hundreds but
thousands of the mothers, wives, sisters, and
daughters of the Southern disunionists have
been going North during the last few months
and are still going North for the purpose of
security. Beyond all doubt they have found
and will find the security sought. They can
say in any Northern State what they please
about the North and the war, and no commit
tie of women or men will call to notify them
that they must quit the latitude or expect a
dozen lashes upon their bare backs. What
people were ever more renowned for most
chivalric and knightly bearing towards women
than the people of the South Surely the
spirit of secession works sad and direful chang
es in the souls of human beings.
WARMTH.-The best fire in winter is made
up of exercise, and the poorest, of whtskey.
He that keeps warm on liquor is like man
who pulls his house to pieces to feed the fire
place. The prudent and temperate use of
liquor is to let it alone. If You don't touch
it, it certainly won't hurt you; he that says
there is no danger, boasts that he is some
thing more than other men.
Two gentlemen noted for their fondness of
were discussing the fare at diff
srent hotels. One observed that at his hotel
he had tea SO strong it was necessary to con-
ine it in an iron vessel. ssAt mine, said the
other, ssit is made so weak it has not strength |