New-York tribune., 1867-08-19

The number OF children taught during the year frequent
y until 1851, eXceededc number reported OF school
The act establishing free schools throughout State
passed March 2G s49 and which went into effect Jan.
1850 declared that common schools in the several school
districts in this State shall DO free all persons residing
in the district over five and under 81 years age"
The Trustees not however required TO alter their
reports of the number Of children in district until MAY
1851 may be by reference to section 12 chap ISL
Laws Of 1851 by which they were required TO report All
between the ages of four and tloertrone.
The school age from 1910 TO 1885, inclusive, will be differ
ent from school age between 1851 and 1865 and both
will be different from the school age since 1863 which by
the law of 1854 between the ages OF Hre and ten
The returns made to this Department will enable the
Superintendent TO report the numbered children Of school
county from 1910 TO the present time. These numbers
have been annually reported to the Legislature. con-
may be found In the libraries OF the Senate and Assembly
and In the State Library.
the figures into tabular FORM in compliance with the reeo
luton . -, -, e.., ,,.,
Prior to Jan 1880 the Boards Of Supervisors
equal to the amount apporoned TO each town from the
Common School Fund and the United states Deposit
according to property but according TO population
The people Of any town. in town meeting assembled,
could also vote tax equal TO the amount appooned 10
the the Supervisors were required TO assess
By said Free School Law Of Iso the Boards Of Super.
required TO levy and assesse upon the county
equal TO the State school moneys apporoned TO the
State school moneys apporoned to each town. This
in effect nearly doubling the ordinary town tax for tho
Of the Laws OF 1851.
The returns annually made to the Controller by the
Clerks Of the Board OF Supervisors, contain column
headed School Tax but the returns required only
to make certain that the town school tax had been levied
according toaw. Another column in the returns headed
"TOwn Taxes" which includes all town and municipal
expenses, without distinguishing between those for
schools poee water or other subjects OF expenditure
There has never been any report Of state county town
or municipal taxation for schools made to this Depart
nept
Since 1857 the reports Of Trustees have shown, with an
approach 10 accuracy the amount Of school district taxa
on and for six years previous the reports contained ia
complete returns Of such taxation.
In 1851 by chap i6l the free school act repealed
and state tax levied and collected for sS000OO.
In 1885, by chap lS0 the mode Of taxation changed
and the school tax fixed at threefourths OF mill
upon each dollar Of valuation. Chap t6 OF 1861 has In
creased this to and onefourth mills for the future
The Superintendent can state from records IN his ONCE
and the Controllers what each town In the State Is re-
ported to have raised by tax from 1916 70 1850 for the sup
port OF schools. -
10 this he could also add the amount raised by rae-b
in each town for part Of the time and IN each county
for the whole time But he cannot state what was raised
voluntarily by vote Of town meeting In each town. over
and above the amount Of the apporoent 70 each town
which the tax required the Supervisors to make.
OF the municipal taxes, he can only give the amount
raised Ia the cities The returns for the towns Include