Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-12-17

without doubt al Improvement in our
School System. 1t is however better
adapted to more populous, rather than
sparsely settled communities ; and for this
reason. chiefly perhaps, such communities
are in no haate to make the change. AS
it will also probably add to the expense OF
School System while not opposing, !
would not urge its adoption until we have
become acquainted with its workings in
other and older settled portions Of the State.
As ouc population increases, and our
:hools become larger and in better condl-
ton, it also brings a corresponding increase
in the business of this office. In addition
to the time spent in visiting schools, max
ing out and receiving various reports,
among which are Teachers Monthly Re-
ports. l have held II public examinations
of Teachers, requiring careful examlna-
ton and grading of more than 24OO pages
of fools-cap paper, giving II private exam
nations, held one Institute, attended to
much miscellaneous business through the
County, and besides large and increasing
correspondence, with District Officers,
Teachers, and others upon school matters.
have sent from this office more than 1000
blank circulars and reports.
During the year have with pleasure
noticed not only in our own County, but
throughout the State, an increasing inter
est among all classes upon educational
subjects. School meetings, Conventions,
Associations, and Institutes are better at
tended, and questions of general interest
understood and discussed to an extent
1t I,a,
been pleased to observe the liberal spirit
which prevails among the people in voting
for the support Of schools. But while |
am able to report progress in the right
direction in general, there are still many
cases of Districts without comfortable and
convenient .schoolhouses, and District
officers who do not interest themselves in
procuring suitable Teachers, who seldom
take the trouble to inspect their Teachers.
Certificates. but appear to be as well salts
fled with District license as regular
certificate Of good standing, provided the
holder will work cheap, and who know
nothing of the condition Of their schools
by personal inspection. | am OF the
opinion that were District Officers allowed
reasonable compensation for the time en-
ployed in official duties, many of the evils
resulting from such negligence would be
prevented.
Our population and our Schools are Of
mixed nationalties, Of different creeds,
notions. and opinions, but harmonic with
out difficulty upon the necessity and
means Of education.
Quite number of Schools are composed
entirely of Walsh scholars No class Of
our people are more liberal in their sup
port, or interested in the prosperity Of our
schools than the Welsh.
a few are composed entirely of Nor
wegian scholars. The scholars of these
schools excel in good behavior and general
department in school.
Our Teachers are, as class earnest and
faithful, and to them chiefly is due the
prosperous condition Of our schools. From
long acquaintance and continued friendly
relations, am satisfied that better quail
fed and more intelligent corps of Teachers
cannot be found in any other County in
the State. And l desire to acknowledge
my obligations to them for their uniform
kindness and courtesy, their many ex-
pressions of good will towards me per-
sonally, and for the faithful manner in
which they have discharged their duties
as Teachers.
SAMUEL PARKS,
Avoca, Dec. II, 1862 County Supt.