Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-02-13
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
OUR FREE SCHOOL LAW.
No. /.
By RUS PEDAGoGUs.

That our Free School System is inadequate
to the demands of this progressive age, and
that our inattention to this important subject
has reflected no small share of shame upon
Delawareans, no close observer of passing
events will be so indiscrect MS TO deny. And
this deplorable condition of our Free School
System should stimulate us to inquire,
whether there is remedy, or not, which
may be had, that will reduce this old and
standing disorder.
The present lamentablc and dlsgraccful
state of our Free Schools, is but the logical
consequence resulting frsm system al
most wholly defective The prejudices
which have existed against Free Schools for
many years past, are gradually disappearing
but, from the organization of the present
law till now, there has been no successful
effort TO supplant il with one thoroughly
modernized and improved; and hence, in
dependent of individual exertion, we are al
a complete stand-a dead lock. How long
shall we so remain?
The question of reform is now upon us,
with all the weight which such a subject
usually assumes; and we cannot escape it,
unless we are dcrelict to the duty which we
owe to the present age. 1t need hardly be
said that we live in progressive age, and
that radical changes are being made to keep
pace with the present state of affairs. And
assuming such to be the fact, 1t is our inten-
tion to examine our Free School law, and
propose aremedy.
We do not propose to argue the question
SIS tho Free School Law constitutional n
There are many individuals who arc mimi
cal to Free Schools would fan test the ques-
ton, but for the odium which such an act
wonld produce and bring down upon them.
1t however is an important question,
'Whether law made and executed, cln
have binding force on the people, when
said law has no direct, or indirect authority
from the Constitution" The question of
Free Schools is certainly not local one,
then how can it he constitutionally disposed
Off Will some member of the Bar answer?
Again There was passed at Dover, March
lst, 1861, "An Act for the benefit Of Free
Schools in the State of Delaware" For
New Castle County, it provided, that each
School district might raise by taxation $4OO
for school purposes, and that it might be
increased to $500, for repairing or building
a school house, &c. This act did not abro-
gate the original one which provided that
each School District might raise by taxation
sum not exceeding $500. Which law is
CONSTITUTIONAL the original, or the subsequent
one? There is much diversity of opinion
respecting this question. viii some mem-
Der Of the Bar answer?
The public faith is pledged to appropriate
all monies bcqueathed to the Free Schools
of the State. Rev. Code, p. lO7, Sec. 8.
Hence it will appear reasonable to suppose,
that the public faith is pledged to the proper
support Of the same and that they are not
properly supported, may be seen from the
facts, that our system does not rest upon a
correct principle; that majority of our
school houses are in shocking bad condi-
ton, and the furniture almost worthless /;
that the teachers are not paid what their
labor deserves that too many individuals
| are allowed to take charge of our schools
who arc not qualified that the law is i'm
perfect in the manner Of raising the school
tax, paying the teacher, governing the
schools, providing for State Superintcn-
dent, and County and State Conventions for
the promotion and diffusion of educational
ideas
Free schools are an established fact-a
settled institution in our State, and theii
benefits extend to all who choose to avail
themselves of them and as they arc SC
broad we should inquire into the standing
and real character of all that pertains to &
more thorough law, and our Free Schools
generally.
1t is claimed for our school system, tina
it rests upon republican principles and tina
each school district is republic in princi
pie that il may have school or no schoo
just as majority may decides good teach
er or bad one: good house or bad one
And it is further argued, that rs we have
republican institutions, National and State
We should here introduce system in stric
analogy with them. However much peopl,
may be inclined to support the above view
they arc fraught with much evil and art
well calculated TO foment strife and discord
because too much power is vested in Com
missioners who, usually, are swayed by po
litical prejudices and governed by slavisl
avariciousness. There is no appeal from
their decisions: and the teacher, more prop
crly speaking, wandering jew," has Il
silently submit to such decisions as the Com
missioners may choose TO give,
The very bad condition OF our Common
Schools may be attributed to various causes
! There is prevailing notion among til
the masses, and this is fostered by man
wealthy persons, that their children have n
need of any instruction, save the elementar
branches; these they consider of suilicier
importance, and equal to the demand whic
their several stations in life will require
: This idea is q very erroneous one. lttent
to keep the poor boy or girl where he il
| anu W stuy thc iisiuS spun iioiii auNahSii
upward. The object IN teaching advance
t studies is not simply to lay them up in IL
mind, like goods in a store, but to develo
t. thought, expand the intellect, and to rou'
: the pupil TO think and decide; to know WI
: such rule exists, and to draw the prime
pies from analysis. The masses do nj
n comprehend this fact, and hence their pecl
: liar views. Many rich men keep this opi
$ ion before the laboring man, with the pl'
that an elevation of schools will increase Il
I tax, and his burden would be greater whi
y the ostensible object being to keep him
d his "normal speer," that labor may not
d elevated to its true position.
1t may also be attributed to the inten
r. hatred with which petty, insignificant. al
y flippant local politicians embitter the min
% Of the unthinking people with the fooli
lt notion that School Commissioners must
at of the dominant party, irrespective of thu
I'd qualifications for the positions. 1t has be