The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-12-19
BEDFORD, Pa, FRIDAY MORNING. DECEMBER ls 1862.

vast minority of our people speak but little, and
think still less. On ibis subject there Is almost
universal apathy. Remove this and every other
cause of irregular attendance, and every evil
OF our system will disappear as certainly ss the
removal Of cause destroys effect That this IS
The great primary cause is shown. we think by
the school statistics of the state. II incompetent
teachers a short school term. and unsuitable
scloo-houses were The c!ief causes, the attend
ance should improve as these improve Such,
however. is not the fact. All admit vast lm-
provement in all these, during the past eight
wears and yet the average attendance IS but Iliie
better than before. Oniy one conclusion can be
drawn; The public mind is not keenly alive TO
the success Of the conn schools.
III. The true way 10 remedy an evil Is 10 re-
move liz cause This is oen though not always
bpyoud ,te teachers control. He can do much
10 correct the evil by personal interview with
parents and 5v calling their attention. 10 the rn-
mons consequences OF their chdrens Irregular
atlendsnce II the subject be approached in
proper spirit some parents, al east. VIII see the
r.asonabeness of his views, and ac, accordingly.
MI, howeyer..that the teacher should be requi-
red 10 dc This: for in our opinion, his duties are
moi 10 secure attendance, hut TO leach those VINO
present themselves. But in the choice OF two
evils he will often find this the less, and should
therefore, choose H. Good effects re sometimes
! realize, hy compelling pupils 10 make up all
lessons lost by their absence unless they can
ntesen, good excuse: but this. TOO, imposes
| mach additional labor on the teacher, and can
only be effective where the pnpil IS absent OF ms
own choice. These aud similar eXpedents may
! do some Temporary good; but remedies 10 be
.ssneraIly and permanently effective: must be
( mota comprehensve in their nanre.
| TfRsriedv every defect of our system. Build
! better school-houses; embellish and beaufy
,l,.;r grounds supply them with iastefuland COM
fo,,ble farpi,ure; and with all the appliances TO
maka learning peasanl lnslead Of hideously
oolv NIKE them places Of beauty and loveliness;
,,7d nn,ils win no longer shun their precincts,
; r, children love beauty and ias,eiulness and
viii he a,,tactedto TO them wherever they are
/. L,nud Est.bIish'unifermify Of books, and class
ity ,he schools: ior without This proper inter-
as, in s,udy can seldom be maintained. Length
on ,he school ,ern, SO that teachers may have
fine, 10 imlne the minds of their pupils with
I live FOR learning, and that pupils may become
so accustotiied TO mental effort as TO make II no
longer irk some. Eneonrags awider and more
| liberal caitnfe among teachers. Let them I've at
| least equal TO The l.gal standard contemplated.
| Lee, Them adopt teaching, II they adopt II at all,
! as lie business: and not as an eypedent Tor
| passing away few brief months, or earning
| few baliry dollars. They willthen reach a pro.
| nriency and skill never 10 be expected under
! prescgi circumstances; and be able 10 present
| searaing ia an Attractive form thus enisting The
- II. IN Inv al In n