The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-06-18

Ministers to call on the teacher, to en-
courage the scholar? There is too
much of this standing back" on the
part of those, who, if they would but
come forward, could be Of powerful aid
in this work.
!Scaools.-Of the whole number open,
twelve are graded; one hundred and
seventy nine were well classified in
one hundred and eighty one the books
were uniform, and the Bible was daily
read, either by the teacher or by the
scholars and teacher, in one hundred
and fifty nine. There are still twenty
two schools in which the books are not
uniform. The directors of these have
decided upon uniform series ofbooks,
but their exclusive use has never been
enforced. Every teacher knows how
the usefulness of the school is impaired
by this ruinous policy. 1t might be
sound policy to withhold the state aid
from such schools until the directors
thereof comply with the law in this
particular. The law is plain, and the
wisdom in it so manifest that no intel
ligent board should hesitate one mo-
ment in fulfilling it to the letter.
Obstacles in the a0ayof improvement.
Few new obstacles have presented
themselves, during the year. Those
most in the way, and the means calcu-
lated to promote improvement, re-
ferred to at some length in my last re-
port, to which the reader may turn.
"We must have more efficient local
supervision" is the cry we hear every
where. But how is this to be brought
about. In my judgment there is but
one way; elect three men for each dis
trict-the best men in the district. Let
these form board, president, secreta-
ry and treasurer; select from among
these the one possessing the most
knowledge of schools, as district super
intendent, whose duty it shall be to
visit the schools regularly, at least once
a month. Pay the board for every day
actually engaged in transacting the
! business of the district. Make them
sworn officers. This subject has been
agitated again and again in our con-
ventions, and it seems about time that
we have some legislation on it.
If directors, as they are now elected,
would carry out the laws strictly, and
| if parents would look to the interest OF
their children, supply them with prop
er books, see that they make good use
of them, send them regularly to school, F,
uphold the teacher, encourage him by
their visits and kind words, most ofthe
obstacles in the way of improvement
would disappear but this is rarely
done. directors are not paid for their
| services and they frequently do the
least possible amount of work. Not
receiving any pay themselves, they of
ten feel ilIiberal when teachers are tO
be employed not receiving any pay
when the superintendent calls on them
to visit schools with him, he Otter
uedES lIlS 6ACuoSy IL "oA pay nv "
ride through the Storm"
am more than ever convinced, tha
many teachers fail because the schools
are not visited oftener by some eff
cient officers. The superintendent car
at most, in a county like this, visit al
Che schools, only once, in a term of fOul
months Many schools must, therefore
remain unvisited until the third month
The teacher makes mistake after mis-
take, until the time arrives when tn
superintendentr reaches the school. IL
finds it failure, which might hav'
been prevented had the school beer
visited in the first month.
Concluding Remdrts.-I take this op
portunity of thanking my man.
friends, throughout the county 70
their many kindnesses toward M
during the past three years. To tn
Department, 1 am sensibly indebte'
for the many words ofadvice, and tn
promptness with which they have al
ways answered when called upon.
thank each and all and wish then
abundant success.
II. W. FISHER.
County Sup't.