Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-02-27

needed, in the first instance. This obstacle over
come, there is no difficulty in obtaining sufficient
city aid to organize the new schools and conduct
them without financial embarrassment.
1t may be that we cannot well have uniformity
of legislation In this State, In regard to our
schools. The same law that would adapt itself to
the needs of country districts, sparsey settled,
would not meet the wants of Wilmington; hence
the present system mny content us. A law that
governs the Wilmington schools exclusively,
should satisfy us, as Its provisions can be SO
readily carried out. Those provisions have
proved to be wise ones, and capable of affording
the Board much scope in the establishment and
grading of schools.
After this exposition, the inquiries may be
made what is wanting to the completeness of
our public school system?
The most pressing want is one more large pub
lie school building, capable of affording accom-
modat'on for one thousand scholars. This is not
fancied want hut real. Additional accommo-
dations are imperativcly needed now. 1t is safe
to say that at the present time there are proba-
bly, eight hundred or thousand children in this
city, who are debarred the privileges of these
public schools, because there are no vacant seats
the want of room bars their entrance. Our
schools have not a present capacity equal to the
demands of the city, we repeat.
Much of the accommodation of this projected
institution should be reserved for high grade
school for boys; 1t might be designated High
School. 1t is not essential that the ancient Ian
guagcs be taught in it, but it should be higher
Grammar school than any We have at present, and
the course of instruction pursued should be prac-
tical and MS comprehensive as that usually fol-
lowed in such institutes.
To impart to this school system an efficiency, a
competent male teacher should be employed who
would be the Principal in all of the departments
carried on in that building. In addition to his
duties rs Principal he should also be the Super
intendent of Public Schools in Wilmington, hav-
ing close supervision of them, visiting them ut
stated times, examining the classes, conducting,
in the presence of the Board, the examinations
of applicants for the position of teachers; and in
all matters pertaining to the schools, acting in
harmony with the Board indeed it would be
peculiarly fitting that he should act as Secretary
of the Board, thus keeping posted as to the adj
ministration of its affairs. In this capacity he
would be enabled TO make suggestions whenever
necessary.
In this connection it may be remarked that the
Superintendent OF Pennsylvania, in one of his
reports, states that since the appointment Of
county superintendcnts in 1851, the whole system
has been vitalized, and to this office is due the
educational progress during twelve years.
This enterprise can be readily inaugurated, at
an expense not exceeding six thousand dollars
per year. including the tuition of pupils in other
than tue grammar department. This additional
tax would be raised from the city. As it would
be legitimate expenditure, it would. we believe
be sanctioned by the community. All of these
contemplated improvements, the Board is com.
petent to make.
| In the next place, to infuse a greater Interest
in the snbjcct Of these public schools, parent.
should visit them oftcner and thereby show more
concern in their results. Parents and friends toe
rarely pay visits to these schools. The teacher
invite Intelligent criticism, and invite investiga
tion into the merits of their teaching, and fec
encouraged by visits.
In the last place, in the choice of school direc
tors, politics should be discarded. In the annua
elections, the only point to be considered shoul,
be: is the candidate a suitable person to be til,
guardian of the educational interests of the city
and will he attend to the duties assigned him
If there is any common ground on which til,
different political parties can meet and harmon
ize IL should be the desire to maintain first cas
Public Schools.
CONCLUDED