Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-01-02

NO. 1870 81 g &C g :.
1890 1910 Al " " g g
1910 1880 80 " " I"
1880 !" 1850 81 GO g g 8.
Thus we may see that from three out of
every four, by increased intelligence the
number has been reduced to one out of every
four, that die before they reach five years
old.
might select many more striking exam
pies tLan this, but this is sufficient.
1t has other aspects than these, l am well
aware that all the learning Of the common
schools, academies, and colleges combined,
cannot give grace to the soul, but can it be
possible that man can study the blazing
editorials that God has written all over the
universe and not be better man? Can we
take the little seed and place it in the
ground, and observe its little roots descend
into the ground in quest of nourshment,
and its plumule or leaflet into the air to
gather thcrefrom the carbonic acid, that
would, were it not thus taken out prove
destructive to all animal life. / say is it
possible to be informed of all this and a
thousand other facts no less significant,
without perceiving that there is superin-
tending power in all creation and that in
Him we live and move and have our being
In all points then, we are urged to provide
the means of education for all. To make
good schools common, and common schools
good.
Our material interest demands il; our hap
piness as it rests upon obedience to the laws
| OF health calls for it; the religious interests
| OF our people will be promoted by 1t. Thus
| it rises above all party considerations or sec
tional interests, being that which alone can
give the highest success to all. Especially
in land of free government is all this true,
and no more fitting element of greatness in
this country Can be found than the com.
mon school house, and the most characters
tic thing taken to the Paris Exposition was
| model OF one Of these. Before 1t, sooner
than before any other earthly power, will
monarchy, tyranny and despotsm bow.
The question then of immediate Interest
to this Convention and to which these re-
marks are but introductory, is this. Do tho
school laws of this State produce the great
est possible amount of good ! In looking
over these the first defect that strikes my
attention is the method of raising tax. Eacl
district is called on once a year to vote fol
or against tax. See how this works. Ii
a district where the people are comparative
ly well educated they will vote for tax
and where they are not, just where it |,
most needed but least appreciated, the,
will vote against it. AS we are al
bound together, rs one part of our Com
monwealth cannot advance without til,
other, or stand still without holding til,
rest back, the whole State must suffer.
And again there is no head to our schoo
system, and consequently no unity ofaction
There is, It's true, a nominal superintendent
but he gets no compensation, and does not
nor Can he be expected to do any consider
able amount of work,
! There is no standard of qualification tt
teach. A man is not allowed to practic
law or medicine, or any thing else fimpor
lance, without the people ascertaining b.
some established method his ability to do SC
But when man has failed in every thin
else, when he has shown that he has N
practical common sense, we too often Gu
t trust him with the care of our tender minds
, and thus allow him TO photograph upo
, these his own incompetent and incorret
habits.
, After careful examination of our State la,
on this subject, am satisfied that il is eli
tirely inadequate to the task of educating a
our children, and / respectfully suggest /
this Convention that any good school La
must embrace the following principles -
l. Each district should be required to lev
tax sufficient to keep good school open
least four months each year, (several voic,
in the Convention, double it, double it) b.
: fore it shall receive any of the State appr
a priation.
: 2. School Commissioners should be eleett
IS in each district, 10 assess, collect, and di
: burse this tax, and have the general care
d the school.
= 8. A State Superintendent, and also
/. County Superintendent to examine teache
> and schools, suggest improvements, hol
= institutes &c. &C., to be elected by the con
missioners.
4. Provision should be made by law fl
!, good school buildings, appropriate ground
Z and suitable furniture and apparatus.
u +. That this Convention appoint con
q mittee to revise our school law.
q If mistake not the signs of the times OF
/ people are fast being prepared for this me
Ii sure. The press has taken up the questit
1t and none of them more nobly than the De
y awarean, and it must commend itself
u every rejecting and conscientious citizen
: the Commonwealth. Elevate the standal
# of teaching, give your teachers proper too
d to work with, and they will elevate our Stat
y These beautiful farms will be enhanced
o value; our factories will become more valu
ir BILE; the blessings of religious liberty will |
10 more fully appreciated, and every thing tn
as goes to make up happiness, prosperity al
E. well being will cluster around our little Stat
+. All this can not be done without means, b.
Q. bya properly adjusted system with no mo
Of means than we now expend much mo
good can be done.
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