The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1866-03-17

With the aid of piece OF chalk and the
black board, some of the more skillful pu-
IpiIs were able to produce before our eyes in
la-few moments, maps of different countries
which would compare favorably, both in
tpoint of accuracy and style of execution,
with the engraved maps used in schools,
when some of cur number occupied the
low benches. Hse5 zsH.. loA 80 81 2
The examination was itly closed with an
address by Judge Brewer, of LeavenWorth,
on ..tThe New Profession '-that of a teach
er-abounding in just and wholesome
thought, appropriate for the OCCASION, aud
containing many passages of earnest and
manly eloquence.
Foreseeing the speedy necessity for great
~ enlarged recommendations, the citizens
of Emporia commenced movement for the
erection of a boarding house large enough
to accommodate some hundred students,
and we are pleased to learn that some six or
eight thousand dollars have been raised for
that object, the greater portion being eoa-
tributed by citizens of Lyon county, but
very liberal amounts by leading friends of
education in different sections of the State.
The visitors are required by law to re-
port their views with regard to the" condi-
ton, success and usefuLaess," of the insti-
tuition. il: a.-
What we have already said must suffice
to express our views as to its condition and
success thus far; and if what we have sta
ted is true, no intelligent mind can doubt
its usefulness. But a few considerations.
may serve to render the necessity of such
an institution more apparent.
1t appears from the report of the Super
intendent of Public Instruction for 1864,
that there were at the time of preparin that
report, 823 organized school districts, and
1884 children of suitable ages to attend
school. ....-
We have but little doubt that by this
time the number of school districts will
have increased to 900, and that number
will be more than doubled within the next
five years. In each of these districts
school must or should be taught at least six
months in each year. The people are ev-
cry where in evsry county, so far as our
knowledge extends, proving their eagerness
for good school houses, much better and
more expensive than are usually to be seen
in so new country. Let US then consider
what will be the annual cost Of supporting
schools in each one of one thousand dis
tricts for six months. And first, we may
reckon interest on school house and grounds:
Say on 81 900 at per cent. $40 90
Teachers wages not less than $25
per month for six months, $50 90
Teachers board at So per week, - 90
Wood, and other incidental expenses, 90
Total annual cost of each school, $500 90
Aud this SUM multiplied by one thousand
gives us sum total of 100000 as the
cost of our entire common school system
for the current year. It matters not that
only portion of this amount is drawn d.
rectly from the treasury of the State. The
people may pay it in one form or another,
and pay it willingly, for the education of
their chill dren. And the sum of annual ex-
penditure it is safe to predict will be more
than doubled in the next five years, making
the annual expense of our schools from one
half to three -fourths of million of dol
lars.
Yet we find by reference to the report of
the State Superintendent, and the accompa-
Bying reports of the different County Su-
perintendents, there is everywhere a lack
of good, we'll qualified teachers; and it is
considered by our sblest educators that not
less than three fourths of the entire amount
expended In the support ofschools, is vast
ed for want Of competent and skillfull teach
ers; or in other words that not more than
one fourth of the benefit is received from
the schools that would be experienced were
the teachers in every instance fully quail
fed. The good that is done is great, is of
inestimable value, but not more than one
fourth of what it might and should be were
suitable teachers to be procured. In fact
it may be said that majority of the people
haze EeOeT seen good school, and have no
more definite idea of what good school is,
than Mexican farmer accustomed to use a
wooden plough, which he makes himself in
an hours time, from the trunk of a small
tree, drawing it top foremost, and using a
prong for the share, has of the bright, sharp.
clipper" pic ugh of our western prsiries.
The great want of our State. and indeed
of the world, is teachers. Ignorance is
disease, and knowledge must be the rene
I dy. Schools must disseminate knowledge
as the sun disseminates heat and light; and
the patriotic founders of our young State
have laid deep. the foundations of a school
system fully adequate to our wants, dedica-
ting every eighteenth acre of her soil to the
support of schools, and making it the i'm
perative duty of the Legislature TO watch
over and encourage them. But schools
without teachers are useless, and their use
fulness will be in exact proportion as the
teachers are well qualified for their trust.
We have the material in abundance, and
must make them, by education specially
adapted to that end. The State Normal
School was designed, founded and pFosPec-
lively endowed for that specific purpose,
and from careful examination We find it
admirably calculated to effect the object.
Still it is but germ, and needs immediate
and full development at the hands of the
State. We think that the most rigid prin-
ciples of economy would dictate an imme-
tdiste and liberal expenditure to enable the
institution to meet at the earliest possible
z-.-..--.-a .E $4,000