Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1863-04-08
Educational.

the fault 10 any Legitimate cause, nor does
1t devise any suggestion by which the pre-
sent school system can be improved, or by
which the existing troubles can be re-
medied. II there are empires in this i'm
portant and honorable profession, who
have been entrusted with the early train
ing and education of youth, the fault must
rest with those who have granted such
permission The County Superintendent,
whose duty il Is, under our present school
system, to examine teachers and TO give
certificates 10 such, ,-only, as are competent,
is responsible and should be held account
able, unless incompetent teachers are en-
ployed who have no such diploma or en-
iorscrneHt from that officer. We are not
prepared, however, 10 argue this question
10 anv extent, because we were never an
advocate of that office bat SO long as it
exists, and is a part of our common
school system, the people OF the county,
who are most Interested, should endeavor
! TO select man for that office who is ca
pable OF deciding upon the qualities Of
those who seek that profession. We do
not here mean 10 rciicc, upon those who
| have occupied that efficc, bat wish 10 re
mind the peopic, that if the office be an
auxiliary In the advancement OF education.
that it is highly important that it should
| be filled with a mau who has both etfi-
cheney and ability. In the course of a
few weeks from row, ii viii be the duty
of tile Directors OF the different school
districts OF the county, To assemble III
convention, for the purpose of selecting a
person to i'll the office of County Super
intend,n NJ, and we merely remind them of
their duty to the people they represent.
| For the Democrat and Sentinel.
MR. EDIroR Much Of late has been
said relating 10 the political situation uf
our government, and of the various
schemes which are supposed TO be IN ope-
| ration. And as this subject has been dis
cussed until il has been In some measure
almost exhausted, permit Inc to introduce
another argument, which Is, and mu. (
ever be of infinite importance TO the vital
interests of oar country. 1t is none other
than the consideration of the present stu
alton of our common schools IL Is a
well known fact, that much time and ex-
! pcnSe has already been lost. ami Is ;snnu-
ally unnecessarily lost by employing
teachers, who are totally ignorant of their.
business, and th.ir du;i.s incumbent on :,
school tcache-. |; Is well known too.
that there ar. and has been, many per
sons employed TO teach our common
schools, who Il call-l upon 20 give an ex-
position of the tlIn,!a :mcni.il rules Of :lrith-
Heilc, could not give any satisfactory
proof that they were acquainted with the
rules thereof. An! | would not wiSl, 10
limit their knowledge to a deficiency in
this particular study, but ihany are deii-
cient IN a thorough knowledge of English
Grammar, OF, Geography, IN fact, we
have some among us, vino, ii c:.lied upon
10 produce q written composition. would
hardly be able to comply without coin
mitiing some error in lis orihugrl,hy.
And TO wia; cause Is HIS owing! Il i
undoubtedly a fault IN those who are ap-
pointed. OF ought 10 be for the express
purpose of enquiring INTO, and obtaining :.
knowledge Of the abilities OF those who
Offer themselves as candidates for this iIn-
portant business. And here only can the
defect IN our present system be remedilsi-
why. | say UlpoTtIHt business. l., because
l consider a person who leads AN exein-
| plary life and is calculated 10 instruct
youth and lead them in the true path of
knn"iedse, and prepare them for future
usefulness, 50 as they may act their parts
on the stage OF life with profit and ..dvan-
tagc, does as much service to society as
any other person. II is az our common
schools that scholars receive the first ru-
diments OF an English education. And
/ the Instances are not few, that tlere they
! terminate the same have often thought
| that the human mind III Its infancy NAV
be compared 10 sheet OF paper without
impressIon-so with the human mind.
good or bad impressions may be made
upon II AT first, as they are the most dura-
bic and generally 90 through life. How
important then is it, that no one should
be permitted TO engage IN this business,
except such as arc well qualified, both in
respect to morality and literary abilities,
and let such have suitable recompense
tor their services, and very soon we shall
see our common schools fiourishing. rising
and takln" prominent station with her
sister States; very soon we shall see the
name OF our fair State gloriously enrolled
in the records of literary fame, and her
sons and daughters may he honored and
respected throughout the whole enlighten-