Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-01-22

y
the lands they have made extenst y. improve
to be brought into market, giving the &C.
cupants some kind Of pre- emption right
am informed that such o measure would
greatly relieve large number of worthy
families, while the interest Of The State
1t is believed. would not suffer thereby.
EDUCATION.
For view Of the practical workings OF
the Common Scnool law, and the past,
present, aud prospective condition Of our
beneficial system Of public instruction,
must refer you to the biennial report Of the
State Superintendent. That report reveals
the gratifying fact that amid all the hin-
ORANGES incident TO system so recently
inaugurated IN the commonwealth, and 20
period OF great financial depression, the
vast interests OF popular education have
Kept steadily advancing. and the results
thus far have more than indicated the
wlscom and justified the expectations of
those humane and patriotic friends Of she
cause who, less than sig years ago, secured
the adoption Of the frat free school system
of Illinois
The prudent and conservative policv
recommended by the Superintendent has
my hearty appreciation. While the work
ings OF the law may perhaps be impruyet
by slight modification in some particulars
IL is not deemed expedient to disturb any
OF the cardinal features If the system at
the present session of the General Asscmb
~. The suggestion of the report, that it is
better to bear for time with minor im2er
iections until experience, that sure criter-
Ion OF the wisdom and adequacy of any
legislative policy, shall have demonstrated
the necessity and character of fundamental
changes. and prepared the public mind for
them, :han to unsettle the system, impair
It's efficiency, and pe'plex its officers by
frequent changes and hasty legislation,
cannot be too earnestly recommend to your
consideration. The present system as a
whole Is working well, and since its prin-
cipies and the duties of performing them
have been explained and applied in the
clear and practical expositions and instruc
tons contained in the official circulars of
the Snperintendent's complaints respecting
the obscurities of the law and disaifection
with It's leading provisions have, as am
informed, steadily and rapidly diminished,
spirit of general acquiescence in the
practical operation Of the system prevails
throughout the State, and the opinion is
very generally expressed that no radical
change in the act should be attempted Mt
this time.
The Normal University, standing as il
does, Mt the head of the free school system.
and established to prepare here, at home.
upon the soil Of our own State, a corps of
well trained teachers for the common
schools OF the State, should continue 60 re
celVe the fostering care of the Legislature.
The relations Of the University of the ulti-
mate success of the whole scheme of edu-
cation, must recommend its interests 10 the
favorable regard of those who look for the
highest Development Of the latter. The
special professional training of the teach
ers is no longer an experiment. Both its
wisdom and necessity have been establish
ed by the educational history and experi
ence Of the most enlightened States or
Europe as well as of our own country
While the largest and most compIetelv
equipped Normal School building in The
United States, corps of faithful, scientific
and energetic teachers, and ph,loeophic
and comprehensive course of study fully
inaugurated. the University is prepared 10
enter upon career Of great and RAPIDLY
increasing usefulness. The views in the
Superintendent report in relation 10 this
institution have my entire approval, and
are respectfully commended to your notice.
The wisdom the policy which establish
ed the Department Of Public Instruction
as co ordinate branch of State govern
ment, can no longer be questioned. The
unparalleled Development oc the education
al interests OF the State since the adoptiop
OF the present system, abundantly demons
strates that every system Of agencies must
have a recognised head to render it's oper
alton harmonious and efficient In no
department Of the State is this more decided
that the difficult and complicated duties
connected with public instruction. It gives
variety and strength to the whole frame
work OF the system, while by his power of
advice, Interpretation and pacific interyep.
ton. the superintendent assists the local
Otlcsrs IN their duties, harmopizes the
conflicting interests and opinions, avoids
litigation, and thus saves the useless ex-
penditure Of large amount of money
This view is confirmed by the concurrent
testimony of educational men from eyery
part Of the State. Consideration of econ
omy and efficacy. and an enlightened re-
gard for the welfare of the educational
interests of the State, which are second In
none IN importance. not only require the
continuance OF the Department Of Public
Instruction as new organized, but increased
facilities for doing its appropriate work -
The labor of the Office are Onerous and
must necessarily increase with the expau
sion of the system.
The present incumbent, compelled to
chose between the neglect of some of his
official duties and the use of his nrivate
neaus to enable him to perform them, has
not hesited to adopt the latter alternative
This Ia unworthy the great State of Illinois.
Provisions should be made by law for clerk
hire and for necessary travelling expences
when engaged in strictly official business.
The suggestion or project relative to
ex?ediency OF adding TO the effective force
81 the Department so as to reach and di
rect the public mind by educational ad
dresses, and afford useful and in conduct
ing a series of teachers institutes. &c,
seem to me to be prudent, practical AID
ec"n"micai, and are therefore commended
to your favorable attention.
The subject of schOOI architecture. the
evils which exist, aud the remedy, are
shown by the Superintendent, in a clear
and convincing manner, and should com
mand the consideration which their great
Importance demands Without entering
more into details, again commend the
whole subject of popular education to your
careful and enlightened regard It is
snelect which Is apt to be Lost sight Of by
th0politicians. overshadowed by the more
imposing functions Of material growth and
progress but it underlies our whole polit
cal system, far outweighinp all ephemer
al questions of commerce and finance in it's
influence upon the ultimate greatness and
gicry Of the country.
l cannot close my remarks upon the
subject OF this report without high com
meodation of the invaluable labors of the
State Superintendent Those labors have
been arduous and difficult, but he has dis
charged them faithfully, and with great
ability.
CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
A kindred subject to that of education is
that of collecting and preserving the ma