Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1863-05-28


not pretended that all are pleased or satisfied
with the law, for that is not thu case. There
are men in every district who would be glad tc
have all the school laws in the State repeal
ed, but they have become convinced that tn,
policy of educating the children of the State
at the public expense will not be changed, anc
have concluded TO make the best of it, The
very strong opposition that was quite common
few years since to the building tax, has very
much subsidized
| SUGGESTIONS AND REMARKS.
Since l was elected Superintendent, on the
first Of May, 1857, several important changes
have taken place in the schools of this county
AT each annual examination the standard of
qualifications required of teachers has been
raised, consequently teachers have very much
improved in knowledge of the sciences to he
| taught aud in the method of teaching them
also, in their modes of arranging, classifying
and governing their schools. Teachers are
beginning TO feel, to some extent, at least, the
Importance of their position aud their respon
sibllities. About Que hundred and fifty new
school houses have been erected, most of which
| are far better than the buildings formerly in
use.
have conducted twenty five County Insti-
tutes, which were attended 10y over two thous-
and teachers, who have, in this way, been
brought together, and formed educational ac.
qualutances which have doue much to secure
uniformity in their methods of teaching and
conducting schoos. Public opinion has also,
in this way, been directed more particular to
the cause OF education, and many uufouuded
| prejudces have been removed from the minds
of the people.
Notwithstanding these improvements, it is
not claimed that our houses are all good. or
that our teachers or directors are all of them
what they SHOULD be, or that any Of them have
made all the improvements that can be made
Far from it. There is yet much work to be
dole, yet many things TO learn, yet much i'm.
provemeut to be made. Far too many of our
teachers think but little of the influence they
exert, or the good or evil they are TO do far
too many of our directors feel but little inter
est iu their schools far too many of our cti.
zens are still, ut heart, opposed to the School
law far too many of our school houses are
old, dapidated aud wthou. the necessary &C.
comnodatious.
While, therefore, there is much to encour-
age there is also much to stimulate the friends
tiOu.
My labors and auxieties as County Super.
inteudent are euded Whatever of good or i'll
nave accomplished is registered against my
name IN the book of GoD's remembrance, and
my account is sealed up for the judgment of
the great day.
lu looking back six years, l call to mind
many pleasures past many happy hours spent,
many, very many friendly acquautauces form
ed. There are also many duties undlscharg
ed, many wrong things done, many unpleasant;
anxious days, that crowd up before me as |
review the years gone.
BY the citizens of this county | have been
treated with unmerited kindness aud hospital
ity. la my associations with the school off
GERS and proprie'orS, | have received cordial
invitations 10 their homes, aud when there
have been welcomed and most Hospitality en-.
tertaiued by tue members Of their families
Teachers, with Que exception, have shown me
nothing but kindness aud respect. They, with
directors, have at all times heartily acquiesced
in my plans, aud evinc4d readiness 20 assist
iu carrying them out.
When visiting their schools, all proper ia
cilltes have been freely afforded to collect
the required Information. l have associated
famiiiarly with them in their schools, al the
Institutes and Associations, and at their homes,
and have always been received with cordiaIity
The editors of our local papers have shown me
many favorS, aud have rendered important SER
vie TO the cause Of education.
For these many kind acts, this freely rem
der, respect, these unmerited hospitalties
most gladly avail myself of this opportunity
to present my grealful acknowledgements -
While, in looking back, fud many things to
regret, it is with feelings of sorrow that | re
fleet that shall never again meet those friend
y directors, hospitable families, kiud aud re.
spectfuI teachers, active, restless, yet ever in
qnriug, ever confdi 6 pupils.
In closing this my last report let me be-
speak for my successor the same kind consider
ate regard. the same confdng respect, the
same charitable forgiveness of faults, the same
hearty co operation in labor, the same cheerful
acquiescence in decisions, that have been on
all occasions, so freely extended to me.
c. r. COBUEN.
Towanda May 29 1868.