New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-08-22


petent teachers.
Benjamin F. Frost, Treasurer Of Bossier
parish, wrote in the same year to Mr.. Avery:
Nevertheless there are many imperfec-
lions in it (the school law which, however
might be easily remedied. The Parish
Treasurer has many duties to perform which
resultin no good
G. Spencer Mayo, Treasurer parish OF
Catahoula, wrote in like manner in the
same year,
1t is impossible to report with any preci-
sim, the number of children who do not
attend school, etc.
G. NJ. Peques, Treasurer of parish Of De-
Soto, wrote in the same year:
Our schools are generally good and well
attended. They are mainly supported by
private subscription, but for want of reports
from the directors l am unable to make a
report Of the amounts so paid.
W. B. Warren, Treasurer parish of Jack
son, says;
You will observe that this report is incom-
plete from the fact that the Directors of the
Districts have failed as heretofore, in rem
plated by the twenty-third section of the
school law. 1t appears that they manifest
very little interest in furnishing any in.
formation, etc.
W. H. Gale, Treasurer, parish of Qua
chita, says:
The majority of the schools are supported
by private subscription.
L. r. Boissat, Treasurer, parish Of
Rapides, says:
The Directors, and the people generally,
seem to care but very little for their sue.
cess, and give the matter no attention. In
a word consider the money applied under
the present system entirely squa ldered.
James A. Williams, Treasurer, parish of
st. Helena, writes;
again have to report a failure on the
part of District Directors of this parish, to
furnish materials lin the way of annual re-
ports for the treasurers annual report.
W. A, Darby, Treasurer, parish Of
Union, writes:
l have not received single report from
any of the School Directors.
S. W. Biekham, Treasurer. parish of
Washington, writes;
The School Directors seldom perform their
duties, but think they are very excusable,
for they have no means Of knowing what
their duties are.
The following extracts from reports of
Parish Treasurers appear in the annual
report Of DR.. Samuel Bard, State Superin-
tendent, in the year 1858.
n. Bolton, Treasurer, parish of Vim,
says:
am entirely unable to make full report,
as the Directors all failed to report to me
the condition of the schools generally.
W. H. Gale, Treasurer, parish of Qua.
chita, writes:
The School Directors in the various school
districts, having almost unanimously failed
to report, it is not within my power to state
the general character Of the schools.
E. Leblanc, Jr., Treasurer, parish of Yer.
million, says;
If you could only see who we hare for
Directors, one.half of whom make their
crosses to their signatures.
G. L. Lester, Treasurer, parish of Terre-
bonnie, writes:
The School Directors take no care or in.
terest in the discharge of their duties, and
our Inhabitants themselves, regret very
much to say, seem to care very little about
electing Directors with necessary qualitica.
tions.
G. G. Fournet, Treasurer, parish of st.
Martin, writes:
This shows the pitiful condition of our
schools in the parish of st. Martin.
Oneze A. Guidry, Treasurer, parish of
St. Landry, says:
Generally the teachers are enthusiastically
bad and morally worse--the Directors un-
and consequently incompetent to |
Judge of the requirements of applicants, etc.
George Colmer, Treasurer, parish of Liv-
ngston, says
The school system, therefore, needs refor- |
nation, but how that is to be effected do |
not presume to point out. q $500
Joseph II. Baleh, Treasurer, parish of
[berville, says: t's
We have no schoolhouses in the proper
of the term. The schools are
taught in lingy, rickety, half
'oofess sheds or shanties that a planter of
ordinary capacity for managing affairs
would not allow his negroes to inhabit, /
myself have taught schools for months in
an apology for a schoolhouse, through the
cracks and holes OF which | could easily
throw good sized urehin of sixteen years.
R. H. Cuny, Treasurer, parish of Gaia
honla, writes, ,,
The present condition of public schools
Of this parish calls loudly upon the Legisla-
.ure for some revision and modification of |
he present system. -a
The reports from nearly all the Treas
lrers of the parishes bear the same testi-
nony as to the almost utter wofthlessness
# the old system of public education in
his State.
The following conclusions are clearly es-
sablished by all this testimony:
First. The old system has proved fail
ire and should be discontinued.
Second. An entirely new system is
needed.
Third. The public school funds of the
State have been in large measure squan-
Tered and misapplied, mainly for want of
proper supervision through State Board |
If Education, or the State Superintendent,
" both.
Fourth. Parish Directors should not be
elected but appointed, as In most cases it
has been shown that they have been utterly |
for the duties required Of
hem.
Fifth. ANY system Of public education
before it can work well must have con-
trolling head.
THOMAS W. CONWAY,
State Superintendent Public Education. |
New Orleans, August Is, 1868.