Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-08-20

These schools are generally y conducted
by experienced and competent teaea-
ers where many of those who desire
to become teachers may receive the
proper instruction.
EDUCATIONAL WORK DONE BY sUPERIN-
TENDENT.
Erdmindtions.- s.-Twenty-two public
and eight private examinations wcro
held. One hundred and fifty -onepro-
visional certificates issued, one profess
sional, (to Thomas IL. Murray, Esq. J
six endorsed from other counties, and
eight applicants rejected Much in
terest was evinced by teachers, direct
ors and spectators during the entire
examinations. Tho directors, or a
part of them, were present at all the
examinations, which was gratifying as
well as beneficial as the board could
readily select the teachers best suited
for their respective schools. One hun
dred and seventy-eight visits to
schools--an average of three hours
each 279 official letters written !;
LIS miles Travelled on official duty I;
taught a fve-months' Normal School,
an average of eight hours per day (;
and was engaged officially during the
year, 295 days. leave it with the
people to Judge whether | have per
formed my duty or not.
Visttdtions.-All the schools that
were in operation while ! was in the
districts were visited, and few a
second time. One hundred and four
visits made in the presence OF direct
ors. In three instances they became
so interested, that they accompanied
me to the adjoining districts was
also accompanied by many of the citi-
zens. Visits by the County Superin-
tendent are no longer dreaded by the
pupils. On many occasions we have
been told by the parents, that their
children were deslrous Of being pres
ent az the time of oui visits ! COM
menced the visitation of schools i'm
mediately after the lst of November,
(the close of the public examinations, }
and continued it until the middle of
March. The course pursued was nearly
the same as the previous winter.
Having been treated with great
kindness and generosity all over the
county, by directors, citizens and
teachers, l deep this a fit time and
opportunity to return my sincere
thanks for the many favors received
at their hands.
Lastitute-A County Institute was
held at Curwensvlle during the last
week of September. The exercises
consisted of class-drills, essays, discus
sions and lectures. The institute was
She largest ever held in the county,
and | think much good was accom-
plished.
Normal lSchool.-The Normal School
in Curwensville, mentioned in my last
report, continued until the lst of Oc-
tober | again opened one, in Clear
field borough, on May llth, to continue
for eleven weeks. Although met with
considerable opposition, by a clique,
and hence was compelled TO labor
under many disadvantages, the school
nevertheless proved a perfect success.
Fiity-three students were present,
forty-six of whom purpose teaching
the coming winter. / was again as.
sisted by Prof S. Geist, of Marietta,
who was earnest in the discharge OF
his duties, and thereby not only gained
the good will of the teachers, but made
many friends throughout the county.
EDUCATIONAL WORK DONE BY OTHER
AGENCIES.
In addition to the Clearfeld Acade-
my-which is in a flourishing eondi.
ton, under the direction of Prof p l..
Harrison-there is now established in
Clearfeld borough, a irst-class Ladies'
School, under the control Of Miss
Hattie Swan, who has very few supe-
riors in the profession. Many Select
Schools are also springing up all over
the county. All these educational
means win, sooner or later, assist in
the preparation of teachers. BY such
aids much good will, hope, be accom-
plished.
Pulpu.-The clergymen have said
and done more m favor Of the common
schools than formerly; yet not so
much as they should have done. No
class of men should be more interested
in the spread OF intelligence among
the masses for the labors OF clergy
gymen are appreciated and rewarded
proportionate 10 the amount OF intelli-
gence in their community; hence, il
they are alive to their opn interests,
they will, at least, give two educa-
tional lectures from their respective
pulpits each year, and thereby exert
an influence in behalf of intelligence
and assist in dispelling ignorance.
Press.-The general tone Of the
press is friendly 10 the cause Of edu-
cation, and it has given me a general
and hearty support in my efforts in
behalf OF the schools; for which the
editors have my sincere thanks.
OBSTACLES IN THE WAY OF IMPROVE
MENT.
We have but little now 10 suggest
from our former report Some Of the
obstacles then mentioned have been
to certain degree removed. The
interest manifested by directors, pa
irons, and teachers, has been greatly
increased, and is productive of much
good. The greatest obstacle is the
want of sufficient money to carry on
the schools. In number of districts
the thirteen mills allowed by law to be
raised is barely sufficient to keep the
schools open four months; and in
some, even to do this, directors must