The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-02-08
Education in Wisconsin.


report which relates especially to the gen.
eral educational condition of the State +;
rescrying other portions for more particular
reference hereafter:
Number over 4 and under 20 years
of age In the state 352, 004
Number attending school in 1866 234, 265
Number of schools reported 4,6l2
Average number Of days schools
were taught 12S
Average cost Of tuition per month,
t22 days. SLOT
Average cost Of each scholar regis
tered in 1866 $5,0S
Average amount expended for each
person over and under 20 years
Of age So. SO
Whole number Of teachers in 1866 1879
Average wages of male teachers $3S, 63
Average wages o. female teachers $24, 05
Amount appnrtioned from income
of school fund 1852, $50 so
Whole amount expended for
support OF public schools in
1866 Sl.076,5 $40 95
ATTENDANCE.
The number attending private schools,
incorporated academies, colleges and uni
yersites, and the number receiving instruc-
ton in the various benevolent institutions
In the state, are nearly as follows:
Number reported attending private
schools $3.50
Number reported attending acade-
mics 1918
Number estimated as attending col
leges and universities 200
Number in the state reform school 200
. in the soldiers orphans
home "a
Number in the institute Tor the
education of the blind 81
Number in the institute for the deaf
and dumb l04
Number in the orphans asylum in
Milwaukee, $50
Total, Is, 500
IF this number he added to The number
reported as attending the public schools,
we have 2i7 $50, with considerable num-
Der unreported, who attend denominational
and other private schools. The whole
number who have received instruction in
the schools Of the state during the past
year, may be estimated at $50, 600. If from
the number drawing public money we de-
attend school, or having sumo rood reason
for their absence, We find y | 6O4 who
ought to have attended school it thus
appears that there are over 81 600 children
In the state whose education IS entirely
neglected.
If in connection with the non attendance,
we consider the irregular attendance, We
discover state Of things that no good citi-
zen can contemplate without deep concern.
The regular attendance Of the whole mum
Der registered IN the schools during 1866,
tor the average time the schools were in
session, would give US 30, 81 5, 900 days at
tendance, but the number reported is
1861, $40 days, showing that for the lbs
days, or average time the schools were
open, there were in attendance, one day
with another, only 80 ont Of each hundred
registered District boards aud other
school officers may, by the adoption Of
suitable rules and regulations for the gov
eminent OF the schools under their charge,
do much to prevent irregularity: and
county superintendent may, by recurring
teachers to make monthly reports, aud by
creating proper public opinion, succeed In
securing better attendance than the pre-
sent year shows; still, the terrible fact that
one half Of the children registered during
the year are daily absent, ana that there are
at leaSt 80, coo children in the state grow
ing up in ignorance admcnshes us that
some power more potent than any yet used
must be called into requlsItion before the
evil can be removed.
In concluding his report, the Superin-
tendent says:
During tho past year, taxes for the sup
port Of public schools have been Increased !:
greater liberality in building school houses,
and better taste in furnishing them, have
been manifested there has been a greater
demand for well qualified teachers; educa-
tional meetings have been well attended
X large number Of teachers Institutes have
been held, and confidence in the utility VI
our common school system has not been
diminished. Methods of instruction and
modes of discipline have been improved,
and the conviction that universal education
is the only sure support of free govern
ment, has forced itself upon the minds and
into the hearts OF the people.
A marked feature In the educational
history OF the past year is the interest
shown by all classes III educational meet
ings. A short notice of an address upon an
educational topic, given in any one Of our
villages or country towns viii bring to-
gether larger and more intelligent audi
ence than can be gathered upon any other
ordinary occasion. The press of the state,
without exception, it is believed, is always
ready to publish anything tending to pro-
mote the interests of education, and reports
of school examinations, and Of educational
meetings occupy the most prominent places
IN our newspaper columns. The people no
longer need argument TO convince them of
the utility of our common school system
1t is as needless to argue this point as to
demonstrate the existence Of solar light, or
the power of grayitation. What they now
ask is, that the system shall be developed,
that its discordant parts shall be harmon
lied, and that it shall meet the demands of
society. They see in onr common school
system, wisely administered, the salvation
Of the republic. The lessons Of the past
few years have been learned by heart
They know that it was the common school
that stood like wall Of iron against the
assaults of treason, that wherever it was
established it remained the symbol of 10y
atty and order. They know that the patr-
otism it teaches is love OF country and that
the morality it inculeates promotes the
rood of all that the virtues II planis and