Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-12-16

that each town may raise by tax not more than $50
In any one year for his purpose TO be expended I'M
der the supervision OF the town board OF SUPERVISORS
This amount might easily be doubled BY private sub
scriptions and donations Of books. AID can be In
creased from time TO time ~ the citizens Of the town
should think proper The district library system has
proved almost total allure from the fact that the
funds that could reasonably be expected to be raised
Tor library purposes must necessarily be separated
Into 30 many minute divisions rs to entire fall Of
accomplishing the objec, desired. But the township
library system 10 parctca and better adapted to our
present condition. II question worthy OF earnest
consideration and commend II TO the attentiono OF the
people Of Iowa County hoping that at the next an
nual town meetings. the amount authorized by Law
may be voted In each town for this purpose
From thorough trial OF he plan Of Teachers
Monthly Reports. am satisfied that II has proved
beneficial IL not only furnishes much informa-
tioa in relation TO the conduct and management Of
our Schools bat II also makes teachers more system
attic and thorough The questions proposed In the
blanks prepared foi that purpose are Int nded TO be
suggestive and frequently furnishes hints to the
teachers In relation so school records and general
management which might otherwise be overlooked -
And the fact that he OF he best three scholars
In each school In regard TO attendance, progress In
their studies and general department, are to be re-
turned in thess reports at the close Of each term,
has a salutary effect upon the discipline OF the
school,
+ ON these reports discover that the number OF
cases Of corporal pun lshmeht Is continually dimn-
isbDg. Which to my mind suggests a more en'ight
ened stat Of rubli; sentiment VI public sentiment
and morals as well Ms better qualified and more
skllfu teachers. And trust the time is not far dis
tant when there viii be hut little necessity Tor resort
Ing IL 'nis mode OF punishment In order to maintain
proper degree OF subordnaton IN pub c schools
do not suppose law abolishine or prohibiting cor
poral punishment, would at IN present time, be de-
sirable or judicsus, but, by careful aud prudent
management on the part OF TEACHERS, sustained by a
correct dublic sentiment, am satisfied 1t might be
most entirely avoided
by the teachers monthly Reports II Is shown that the
average attendance on Saturdays In those districts
which continue the practice Of Saturday School, Is
but little more than half of he general average
through the week And again recomme ld that on
account of the SMALL uncertain and irregular atten-
dance that day Saturday School be abolished alto
gether as has ong since been done In all the best
schools throughout the state and which uniformi
results In a more regular attendance.
phe township system of school government enacted
by the Legislature at Its last session aud referred
the Of each town for adoption rejection seems
TO meet with uut little favor among the people Of this
County. They not willing to surrender the direct
rol OF their schools and accept such teachers and
4, neral management asa enral Town Board should
proper to direct. AT the Town meetings held in
April last, vote was taken In several Towns which
resu ted In large majority against its adoption
There many good features about the law and 1t Is
without doubt an improvement In our school system.
1t is however better adapted to popuous rather
than sparsey settled communities and for this
reason chiefly perhaps, such co nnunities In no
hlste to make the change. As 1t will probable add
TO the expense Of our schools, while not opposing,
would not urge ia adoption until We have become
acquJn ed with its workings in other and older set
tied portions Of the State.
A. our population increases and our schools become
larger and in better condition, u also brings
responding increase In the business at this office In
addition to he time spent In visiting schools, making
out and receiving various reports among which are
teachers mDuthlV | have held IT public
examinations of teachers requiring the careful
ination and grading Of than 24O0 pages fools
cip paper, giving IL private examinations held
lnstute, attended to much miscellaneous business
through the County, and besides large and increas-
ing correspondence with district officers teachers and
others upon school matters, ! have sent from this
Office more than 900 blanks circulars and reports.
During the year have with pleasure noticed not
only in orr own county but Throughout the state
increasing Interest among all classes upon educational
subjects School meetings conventions, associations
and Institutes are better attended and questions of
general interest to our schools, under stood and dis
cussed to an extent greater than before. And
have been pleased TO observe the liberal spirit which
prevails among oyr people In voting taxes for the sup
port OF schools.
But white am able to report progress In the right
direction generally. There still Of districts
without comfortable or convenient sco1l houses and
district officers who do not interest themselves In pro-
curing suitable teachers, who seldom take the trouble
TO EXAMINE Their teachers certificates but TO be
as well satised with district license as a regular
Certificate of good standing, provided the holder will
work cheap, and who knows nothing Of the condition
Of their schools by personal Inspection.
am Of the opinion that were District officers al
lowed reasonable compensation for the time EN-
p oyed official duties, many of the evils resulting
f ON such negligence would be prevented
Our population and our Schools are. of mixed nation
altes Of different notions creeds and opinions but
harmonic without difficulty upon the necessity md
means af education.
quite number Of our Schools are composed en-
iirely Of " elch. No class of our population are
liberal In their port take deeper interest
In the prosperity Of ourschools than the Wech
A few are composed entirely OF \ Norwegian scholars
The scholars OF these schools excel in good behavior
and general dep rtmtnt In school.
our teachers are, as "A 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 sthat better quail
flied more intelligent corps oil teachers cannot be
found In any other county in the state. Ard de.
sire TO acknowledge my obligations to their uniform
kindness and courtesy, their many expressions OF
good will towards me personal y and for the faith
fu Inaner in which they have discharged their duties
as teachers.
SAM'L PARKS, Co supt.
Avoca, Dec. 18th, 1862