Buchanan County bulletin and guardian., 1868-02-21

more adequate provision forts wants
than the plans above considered.
We bcliev G this plan has been adopt
cd in Wisconsin, whose educational
system is coming TO be regarded as
one OF the best in the country. Even
four schools would meet with the ap
prevail of s large share of our bcs, cd
ucators. The plea of expense is urged
against the system of tour or six nor
NAL schools. Wc believe many of
these opposers are in favor of spend
ing million and half in the erect
ION OF magnificent State House,
which the Sta'e ought 10 have, hu,
which can be deferred until provision
is made for more pressing and impor.
tant iat, r.s;s. The compc,i ion for 10.
cation between towns in the various
district would very naturally reduce
expenses in the erection Of suitable
buildings. Next to the fifth Plan
proposed, We regard this as by far
the most reasonable, truly economi-
cal and etfcien, Hhirh could be adopt.
cd.
4. This is the plan em' odied
in the bill presented by Mr..
Wilcox. We gave cur opinion
of this plan a, large, two weeks since.
1t is due Mr.. Wilcox, however, 10
state that our ideas of the bill were
obtained eatircly from the bill itself.
We intimated that the apparent des-
IGN OF the bin WAS to kill off efficient
legislation on this subject. We are
very glad To learn from Mr.. Wilcox
that our inference was entirely wrong,
and that he tavors etficien, legislation
for the elevation of our schools
thorough normal schools. He informs
rs tha; he favors raising the normal
department Of the State University 10
its proper position, IA fact which we
could not infer from the bin. and
that beyond this. ne fasors county
system Of normal schools Which will
reach every teacher. aud by which
the money expended will be used
mostly within the counties. lie is
not al all strenuous as 10 the adoption
of the provision il lis bill which al
taehes normal department to some
graded school, but will just as sreadily
favor tie establishment Of county
high schools with normal depart
mens, If that is the better method. Il
affords Us peculiar qualification 10 be
able to make this statement, for the
reason that the impression had cot
abroad among the active friends OF
education in this county, that Mr..
Wilcox was opposed TO normal schools
upon prineiple,-an impression easily
accounted fer by the fact Of his op-
posing the normal school bill Of the
last session. There were special rea-
SONS for bis action at that time. Willie
we cannot for an instant approve Q.
s'tsching normal departments to
graled schools as now established
proposed In Mr.. Wilcox bill, we have
from the start heartily favored the
idea OF county schools, with normal
departments, established upon sucl
q basis IS would render then, eff;
cient in the work proposed. Thi.
brings Us 10 a consideration of tht
next proposition.
5. County high schools, with nor
nal departments as connecting link.
between the co amon schools. and ths
State University will It's normal de
partment, which is supposed to be rails
Ell to It's proper position. This plar
accornPllshes two very desirable res
ults. II completes our schoo
system, enabling any child in til,
State, possessing the required ability
to obtain the best possible education
free Of all cost Of tuition. Any chils
who can pass required examinatio,
may be admitted to the county hicl
school. He has been afforded the op
portaniiy for preparation, in tn
common school Upon graduation
from the high school, if be is desirou
Of going still higher, he is admitte.
to the State University What
noble provision oflhe State. Again
every teacher employed in the publ
schools receives good normal eduea
ton at tie county high school, who's
teachers In turn have been thorough
y lifted FOR their work at the norma
department Of the State Universit,
Could any system be more complete
more rational, or more desirable
The expense Of such a system. i
proportion to the benefits received
We are confident would be foun
much less than would be required !,
establish and support several larg
normal schools, without any prosisio
for county schools. Should isolate
normal schools be established.
would probably prevent the compl.
ton of system through the es,al
lishment Of county schools. w
would therefore urge upon our legi.
lators 10 embrace the present favor;
bic opportunity to perfect our scho.
system, while they at the same tim
) provide for suitably fitting the teacl
ers Of our public schools for their Il,
BILE work.
/, PUBLICATION OF THE LAws.
Below we give the minority repo
,, Of the Committee Of Ways and Mean