The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-01-15
OUR SCHOOLS.
Pours. Ward Public school Reporr.

males l6; females II; total 33. Average
daily attendance 81; per cent. of daily
attendance: males 100, females "a; total
81. ....
In addition to the common English
branches are taught History, Astrono-
my, Rhetoric, Algebra, Geometry and
Trigonometry.
There are twenty-one who stand per-
feet on the "Roll of Honor"
From the above list, Ella Jeffers, Jo-
sephine Fulton, Emma Stephens. Kate
Stephens, Ada Dillon, Nellie Nesbit,
Rachael Britt, Samuel Brodie and Jane
Morgan have not been tardy, present
every half day, and stand high in recita-
tions. The following have nothing
against them but tardiness: Bendle
Rose, Mathew McKelvy, John ODon-
nell, Edward O'Donnell, and Lizzie
jefferson.
The foregoing names are such only
as have q record decidedly creditable.
Editor Of tho Register:
In acceptance Of your cordial invita-
tion, would like to say few words In
regard to our public schools, through
your columns.
That this government is great in re-
gard to the geographical extent of its
dominions, the rapid development of its
agricultural and mineral resources, and
tile degree Of perfection attained in the
arts, manufactures, and the develop
ments Of science, is fact which no one
will attempt to controvert. That it has
vitality to outlive, and ability in itself
to withstand difficulties and ward off
blows which would take the life of the
most powerful monarchies, has been
demonstrated. Such being the case 1t
behooves us to inquire how We can most
successfully preserve this great boon
and transmit it to posterity. And in
doing this it is we'll to look at the foun-
dation upon which the whole super
structure rests, and inquire what are
the main causes that produce this
strength and prosperity. That pop
nlar education is the chief corner
stone, that the enlightenment
of the masses of the people
is q vital necessity, to the preservation
of the integrity of the nation, is a fact
long since admitted, and requires no
proof. Bat as to the best and most eff
ticient means for accomplishing that
object, great men have differed, and
the question is yet open for discussion.
But before we can devise means under
standingly, we must know the objects
to be attained. Let us first then in
0uire what are the results to be obtain
ed by q system of Public Schools in our
country. Is it simply that the children
of the rich and those who appreciate
an education may be educatedf Ger
tainly not. For they are able and will
ling to help themselves. But it is that
the children of the poor and ignorant,
who are either unwilling or unable to
afford their children the advantages of
education, may be instructed in those
things which will render them useful
and Intelligent citizens.
Having thus briefly stated the main
results to be accomplished by our Pub
lie Schools, let us turn our attention to
some of the means to be used for this
purpose. 30,
Here the subject divides itself into
three distinct branches.
First, The duties of the teacher, IN
cluding all the minutiD of school room
work, and the means and appliances
necessary to secure school discipline,
and the advancement of the pupils IN
their studies.
Secondly, The duties of the parents,
both i'm relation to their children, and
also to the teacher.
Thirdly, The duty of the State to see
that proper means and facilities for &C.
complishing the objects to be attained,
are provided, and also to see that the
parents do their duty.
The first branch we will pass over for
the present, and turn our attention 10
the second and third. We will lay IT
down as self evident that we must
have well qualified and efficient teachers
and that the teachers must have pupils
To instruct. Now the question arises,
whose duty is it to furnish pupils to the
schools, Is it the duty of the teacher
Certainly not. He is placed in the
school room 20 take care of and instruct
those who are sent, and not to drum up
pupils. 1t is evidently the duty of pa.
rents to see that their children attend
school, and that they attend regularly;
and to cooperate with the teacher and
encourage him in the performance OF
his duties. But while it is the parents
duty to cause the child to attend, it is
also the teachers duty to retain him
during tho requisite school hours. So
that the duties Of teachers and parents
in this respect are reciprocal. And
where that reciprocity exists there is no
trouble; and could it be universal the
object desired would be attained. But
the experience of teachers proves this
to be the exception and not the rule,
Hence arises the necessity of stringent
laws to cause the parents to perform
their duties. This brings US to the
consideration Of the third and practi-
cally che most difficult branch OF the
subject. :,
The evils of truancy and nOn-attend-
ance have long been source OF great
annoyance and anxiety to the true
teachers. And they have been for years
laboring to remedy the evil, both by
their own personal efforts, and by ap'
pealing to the State to assist them
They have accomplished much, but the
desired result is not yet attained. The
Boards of Education and Legislators
have acted nobly and responded will.
lingly. Hence our School Codes OF
! which we are iustly proud, and the
stringent local regulations adopted by
different cities. Yet there are points
which have not been met. But as this
article is already sufficiently long, ]
will leave the further consideration OF
the subject for future communication.
EPSILON.
"Gs and do Likewise,
The following correspondence re-
Gently transpired between our City