The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-02-14

4 gradual increase in the number of male
tic,d, but the majority OF the teachers, it
is thought, Will long continue to be fe-
males.
The opening Of a second normal school
in the spring lat " bitewater) is announc-
ed, and vigorous prosecution of the sys-
TEN OF institutes is recommended, both for
the purpose of stimulating and improving
the teachers and making more of them de-
sire 10 enter the normal schools.
Many of the school buildings erected
during the past year, in design, arrange
urent and location, show an increasing ap.
probation OF the art OF architecture" says
the report, and thus furnish evidence of
true social progress. The educating influ-
ence Of public buildings is never overlooked
by an intelligent community, and the van
daIism that mars or Injuries them is as much
an effect as a cause OF Indifference toward
that art that has always marked high
civilization.
Twenty-tw different villages and cities
have school houses valued at $40 900 or
more, and building are in contemplation at
Baraboo, Oshkosh, Whitewater and Mani
towoc, which will cost from so, 0G0 to $50,
900 each.
The present school library system is re-
garded as "a failure, 50 far as most of the
districts of the state are concerned; and
no material Improvement is looked tor,
except By the establishment Of town libra
rics, which can readily be done, in connec-
ton with the adoption of town organi-
za.ion' of schools.
NORMAL SCHOOLS
On this subject we quote the following
remarks:
"The Development of our normal school
system IS the most difficult educational
problem that presents itself for solution at
the present time. 10 make these schools
promote the interests Of public education,
to so conduct them as to secure for them
the confidence of The people, to SO manage
them a. to train teachers i'll them for the
common schools to guard against the ten
dency to convert them into academies OF
high schools, to render them so attractive
and SO efficient as to bring large numbers
of teachers under their influence, and to
carry them on with such economy as to
keep their. expenses within the income
provided for their support, will demand the
watchful care Of the people, the heartlesl
co operation of the Legislature, and the
greatest discretion and wisdom OF the board
appointed to manage them.
STATE UNIVERSITY.
OF this important institution the repor;
says, after noticing its reorganization:
Under the management of the Presi-
dent of the University lately appointed,
We hopefully and confidently look to see
those branches Of knowledge that relate to
agriculture and the mechanic arts, made
prominent in the University course, and
we believe that he brings to his great work
that enthusiasm, experience and energy
necessary to command success.
COMPULSORY EDUCATION,
Upon this matter, which is now exciting
considerable attention, Col. McMynn ex-
presses the opinion that law may be sc
framed as to be unobjectonable and yet re-
quire the proper instruction and training
Of all children, and quotes the following
suggestive paragraph from John Stuart
Mill: THE instrument tor enforcing the
law could be no other than public examina-
tons, extending to all Children and begin.
ming at an early age. An age might be
fixed at which every child must be examln-
ed to ascertain if he is able to read If a
child proves unable, the father unless he
has some sufficient ground of excuse, might
he subjected to moderate fine, to be work
cd out if necessary, by his labor.
Once in every year the examination should
be renewed, with a gradually extending
n fn n,
versal acquisition, and what is more, reten-
ton of a certain minimum Of general knowl
edge, virtually compulsory, Beyond that
minimum, there shoulI be voluntary ex,
aminations on all subjects, at which all who
come up to q certain standard of proficiency
might claim certificate.
The discussion of this topic concludes as
follows That those who advocate com
pulsory education have the best interests
Of society in view there is no reasonable
doubt Whether public opinion demands
cnlctments that shall secure it is for the
legislature to consider.
TOWN ORGANIZATION OF TIE SCHOOLS
The discussion Of this subject forms /;
prominent feature Of the report, and We
there fore make quotation of some length
Tie defects of our present school dis
trict system are radical and without ,
change, irrcmediable. The experience O
the American people in the Management
of public affairs has demonstrated the tom
to lie the true nnit To certain extern
this unit is recognized in our system
Town boards Of supervisors have power te
divide their respective towns into schoo
districts in such manner as they may deem
proper. They may alter boundaries OF dis
tricts; annex a part of one to another
unite several into one, Or divide one int
several Their authority is limited only b,
the right of appeal to tue department o.
Puolic Instruction. They divide fund.-
and property in case districts are annulled
and thus, in several respects, we have tn,
town district system in operation in oul
state.
Instead, however, of carr, ing out thi
principle, and providing a town schoo
board to manage the school affairs, we have
created from three to ten other boards il
each of the towns, to which the manage
ment of the school is entrusted.
The present system requires too man,
oficers. If We assume five as the average
number of districts in each town cf ths
state, we have, counting the town supervi
s0rs and the town clerk, nineteen schoo