The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-09-23

the same pay for attending institutes "A for
teaching, but such 10 the Law, and We should
change it or abide BY it. It does not argue
against the usefulness of institutes and drill,
have tried to hold our institutes ut time
when the schools were at vacation, but OF course
this cannot be fully effected.
During the past year We have held two County
Institutes of five days each in Ottawa, at which
most OF the active teachers of the county were
in attendance. L also held teachers meetings
last winter In eighteen different towns of the
county, one day each, also an inter- County
ieaoners Association was held last fall at Men.
dota, lasting four days. / think these drills and
institutes have been successful in doing much
good. The instructors at the County Insti.
| tutes have been paid with money appropriated
by your honorable body
| SCHOOL vIsITATIoNs
The large number of schools in La Sale county
renders 1t impossible for one man 20 do Justice
| TO all.
Daring the past year have visited 2G5 schools,
30 of which l have visited twice. have spen,
much OF my time in institute work, becaurc
believed it TO be the best way TO react, the yea
work OF the teachers. am satisfied that hav
done the best that could be done by me in this
| respect
| have held frequent examinations of appli.
csnts to teach during the year, bu. rs most of
my Saturdays were occupied by me at teachers
meetings. l Was Obliged to appoint deputies to
act for me in the examinations on Saturd.ye.
believe the schools of the county are gene.
rally in u fourishing condition, but there ia one
point that cannot let pass unnotioed.
Our schools would be much more prosperous
II the directors would employ the same teachers
for the year. As it is now, there are many who
teach three or four months in the winter and
work at other business during the summer. To
illustrate: Last winter asked teacher the
length OF his term. He replied, 1T is uncer.
tain. did not commence until late, on account
OF work that l could do ON my farm. and shall
close "s soon as l can get at work again in the
spring" In other words, "When the weather
10 80 bad that l cannot do anything else, and
half the scholars cannot get to school. I shall
teach"
This teacher was receiving $45 per month.
VI course hs was not fresh from school, nor had
he found time to look at his books during the
summer 1t did not pay him to teach when he
could work at anything else.
believe there are not 25 schools In La Sale
county that cannot be we'll taught by first class
female teachers, and think it our duty, if this
be the fact, to encourage the employment of
such female teachers for tho year, or such part
thereof, ss school shall be in session, and pay
them the same HI men. If they do the same
work, are they not entitled to the same pay?
l ain sure that such teachers, knowing that
they can have work during the year. will exert
themselves to do better than any man who is
only to teach few winter months
We might find scarcity of such teachers at
first, but let it be known that they are to receive
u mans pay and do mans work in a ac0mon's
place, and have steady employment, and we shall
soon see heater school houses tidier children
and better schools.
| have carefully compared the statistics of La
Sale with other counties of Illinois. and find
that she takes good stand in all commendable
points.
Teachers wages average as high here; County
Institutes are supported AS well here yener !
attendance Of scholars is as good here, and he.
'eve the schools are prosperous generally
here Us IN any other part of The state
Ia conclusion, gentlemen, permit me to saw I
nave called your attention only tn a few facts,
dud let them DO ever 30 true. they will amount
to nothiuS unless they meet with your hearty
approval.
O'll now sal! your attention to some s.s.i,
TICS
No white children under 81 yrs in Co -. 80, O5S
Whole No. school districts oS1
No. districts having no school ... 81
school less than NOS. Q
q mos. more 272
Tree schools sustained public ........ 299
pupils enrolled. .... .......... Il, 9G4
male teachers. ................ PA
female 100
male and female teachers ..... 634
graded schools in Co... %
school houses in Co ..., 800
private schools in 20 10 |
pupils in private schools in Co . GO
teachers Ia private schools in Co 90
Am reed. tor school purposes %. .$2G0S70 07 |
:, paid out for school purposes. 166S24 81 |
II, :" '''"euty 80. ....... 04Ofo 10 |