American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-03-02

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ANSWER: This, at first view, appears
to be foolish question TO place in the of
fetal department of the Journals and yet,
there is principle involved that it will be
well for both pupils and teachers to have
settled. 1t is the duty of the teachers to
see that the books of the pupils be well
taken care Of Scholars should not be al
lowed, by the teacher, to abuse and iniure
their books, although parents do purchase
them instead of the teacher. There is a
very general complaint, and we think just
ly too, that teachers do not appear to care
whether books are well taken care of or
abused hence parents many times object
to getting new ones, when, perhaps, they
are actually needed. The books that are
to be used frequently through the day,
either for study or for reference, must, for
the sake of convenience, be kept by the
pupils in or upon their own desks; but
this is not the case with writing books.
They are needed only while writing once
or twice during the whole day, and at 9th
er times shouldnotbe used by them in any
way.
There can no inconvenience result to
the pupils if their writing books are kept
from them, only at writing times, Very
many scholars will take occasion to blot
and scribble their books if they are left
with them andsome will tear them, or they
will be torn by others. Therefore the
writing books viii be better cared for and
kept in better condition. as a general
thing, if the pupils are notallowed to have
them, only when they are to be used
Again. unless the teacher give special
care to the subject, someof the pupils will
get their books and try to write, while he
is Of necessity engaged in other matters
Writing as well as everything else should
be taugh by the teocherandunder hisspe-
cial attention, and no pupil should be per-
mittcd to write at a time when the teach
er cannot give attention to him. Hence
the books should be where there can be no
temptation for pupils to scribblo upon
them, abuse them, OK write in them. As
the teacher is to see that these books are
properly taken care of and the pupils i'm
prove in writing he is the proper person
to take care of the writing books when not
in use. 1t is therefore his right and his
duty to take charge of them, only at such
times as the scholars are not actually en-
gagged in writingr.
%. QUESTION: Tsnot person to pay
the minimum tax of one dollar in the dis
trict where he resides!
ANSWER: He is. The 10Th section of
the school law (passed April II, lS62D
declares expressly, "that upon every resi-
dent male taxable of the age of twenty
one years the proper board of directors
shall assess the minimum occupation tax
not allowedby law" etc. This tax, there
fore, is to be paid into the school treasury
of the district in whichthe individual has
his residence. He is not liable however
to pay thistax in any other district in which
he may have propcrty.N
80. QUESTION: Is it the. duty of the
county Superintendents to grant private
examinations wherever asked by teachers
to do so?
ANSWER: This matter of private ex-
amiuations is more troublesome to Super.
intendents than almost any other, 1t ap-
pears to be necessary, in some cases, to ex-
anime candidates at other times, than the
public examination; it would, therefore,
be difficult to forbid special inspection in
all cases. 1t would perhaps at times de-
priye schools of teachers. But if these
private or special examinations are allowed
indiscriminately, many teachers will take
advantage of it and never attend the pub
lie inspection. 1t is evidently in accord
ance with the spirit of the law to require
all the teachers to be examined publicly in
the districts in which they are to teach.
This is plain from the 153d sec found on
page SO; and yet, circumstances do arise
in which a special examination is necessa-
ry, but they should never be granted only
when to the Superintendent it shall appear
they are necessary. If he examines ev-
e'y candidate that presents himself, his
time will all be takenin that way, and the
objects of thelaw defeated. Persons ask
ing for a special inspection must, before
they can be examined, present to the Su-
perintendent request signed ty majori
ty of the board, stating that they desire to
employ the bearer. if found to be qualif-
ed. in one of the schools of their district
also giving the reasons why he, or she was
not at the public examination. This re-
quest should be kept on file by the Super
intendent. Certificates granted in such ca
ses should be given only until the time of