Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-12-03
For the Standard.

FOR the Standard.
Mr.. EDITORIALS my report of the operations of
the Common School System for the year ending in
1862, has been delayed by causes which all will nn-
dersand, and as it is important for the public to
know at this time the condition of the system, |
send you for publication some general statistics suf
cient for this purpose The state of things during
the past year has been more dlscouraging to the
schools than at any time since their adoption and
it is to be hoped and We have to expect that
they will never again encounter such serious diff
culties.
1t was thought by many that the war suddenly
forced on us by cruel enemy would be of brief du-
ration and on this account, and as people were
unused to such revolutions, it was supposed by some
that most of the agencies Of society and many indus
trial enterprises, could be suspended until trou
bes were settled.
As it is known, dividend and half of the pro-
ceeds of the school fund had to be temporarily with
held from the counties; and this, and the general
confusion and excitement incident to the first stages
of the of independence, caused much uncertain
ty and apprehension in the public mind, as to the
continuance of the schools. A large number of
male teachers among the first to volunteer in
the army of the Conederacy and their places could
not be Immediately supplied by females and by
males not liable to military duty and in addition
to all this, it was feared by many that the schools
could not be supplied with the necessary books
Notwithstanding these serious embarrassments,
the Common School System has been kept in work
ing order-false ideas, imbibed in the first confu-
sion Of things have 6 iven place to more correct
opinions; new teachers are taking the places of
those serving in the army; all the books suited to
our wants are now in course Of publication in our
own State, and the public mind, becoming accus-
toned to the new state of things, and more justly
comprehending the true wants of the country, is
taking a more decided, hopeful and active interest
in system which it regards essential to our in
dependence and freedom. During the past year
there were taught in counties not overrun by the
public enemy, over fifteen hundred schools; more
than twelve hundred teachers were regularly exam
ined and licensed and some SIXTY thousand children
attended school,
Owing to the smallness Of the Fund on hand, the
average length of the schools was shorter than
usual and this fact alone will account for the nom
attendance of a larger number Of pupils
Many parents do not care to send to a short
school, when there is hope of longer one; and it
is reasonable to infer, and information in my pos
session confirms me in the impression that if no
unlocked for accident occurs at least eighty thou
sand children will attend school during the present
year.
As it is, and during the worst year of the war,
we had more than twice as many pupils at the Com
mon Schools as attended all our English schools be-
fore the public system esabli, he'd and in times
of great prosperity; and this fact is sufficient
commentary on the character Of the system
This is not the place to 50 into details as to the
manner in which the difficulties of the past year
have been overcome but it is proper to give very
short and general sketch of our progress in regard
to books.
Soon after the war commenced large and i'm
portant meeting Of teachers from all classes of
schools was convened at my instance, to take into
consideration the wants of the country in regard to
Text Books, and, If possible, to devise remedy !;
and then, and snce the whole subject discussed
and the difficulties in our way brought distinctly
before u.s.
As it often happens the greatest impediment was
in the minds of many Of those concerned and in the
management of this an inventory Of our disabilities
was made out and presented. Some believed we
we needed, and no way to get or make them; we
were not making paper enough to publish such
NOT MOTTO to- be had in tll 6nfsderaey. Then it was