Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-04-18
Our Common Schools.

ty Supervisor and the extraordinary ef.
forts of individuals in the State 10 ignore
its value, compels me to call attention to
the relation of the Supervisor 10 the pub
lie school.
/. is fact. that every officer from The
State Superintendent down TO the district
agent, is more open to criticism and fault
finding than all the other officers of town.
county or state. Everybody is supposed
to be capable of deciding just what may
be their duties just rs everybody Is sup.
posed to know how school house should
be built. or school should be governed.
Nobody knows or cares what the other
County or State officers are doing while
engaged in the discharge OF their duties.
Their work is ont of sight. Not so with
school matters. Everything that is done
Is exposed to the full gaze of the people,
and open to criticism. | find no fault
with this; state only fact.
When the office was created. J., in COM
mon with others. was opposed to it. |
knew that if IL was bestowed upon indi-
viduals rs reward for party services, it
would prove complete failure. In no
office does man show his utter uniitncss
to fiji It so quickly rs in matters pertain
ing to education. IL was only when |
was assured that men would be selected
for their experience in educational mat
tiers to fill this office, that | consented TO
accept it. Ii was none OF my seeking,
and lell more lucrative and less lnbo-
rious business to engage in it. A love
for teaching, County pride and Il firm
belief that we had rs good brains in Ok
ford County to be educated as anywhere
in the world. induced me To engage in the
work. Almost every DAYS work that
have done has been more than double
what the law contemplated. | have never
charged the State cent for the use of my
team. except for current expenses oh the
road, and much OF this has been met by
kind friends. Although 1t has been the
most laborious and brain pros,raiing work
in which | ever engaged, it has been the
most pleasant. The only drawback has
been the inability TO reach every portion
OF the County at once. Before the year
closes hope 10 visit tho schools in the
remaining portion OF the County.
When the Board first met. in May, 1869.
it was resolved to ignore all political
considerations, 10 ignore all theories of
education. and devote our attention di.
rectly TO the methods OF instruction in
the schools. to show the young teachers
the best way OF conducting their reel
tnlions. aud OF econo MIXING their time
and time OF the children, ana see how
much could be done with rs little money
as possible. and o assist the Superiutcnd-
ing School Committee all we could in
their work.
1t is probable that this is the inst
communication ever written by II Su.
pelyisor, in defence OF his office in the
State. Go where you please, and YOU
will find that the County Supervisors
have gone straight forward in their work.
with the single aim OF elevating tho teach
crs and tho schools. They have visited
the schools in this. and other States, TO
ascertain the best methods of teaching.
The best. and most experienced teachers
in the County. have been the most anN
ious 10 catch AT something better than
they have had before, just Is the good
farmer or mechanic would do. while the
younger teachers have been assisted IN
many Il school, ny which their laborS
were made more efficient. II no other
benefit accrucs, than in stimulating our
teachers, To secure for themselves better
publications rs teachers. and they should
leave the school room TO morrow, it
would make them better wives, fathers
and citizens in the future. Never before
has the cry rose up SO earnestly; 1--WE
want good teachers for ouI schools. and
predict {. certain failure in any school.
the coming year, il teacher is placed
over it, who is not qualified Tor the place.
Public sentiment is aroused in this Ie-
spect. and double responsibility is plac.
ed on Agents and teachers. 10 meet the
public demand, and secure the best pos
siblc teachers. If any one denies that
progress has been made in our schools.
il il because in his location they have
been unfortunate in the selection OF teach.
ers, or, what is more likely TO he the
case, he has never visited the schools,
and, consequently. knows little or moth
ing about them.
In every age, there has been Il contnu.
al warfare OF ignorance and prejudice,
against every progressive step. in the ed
ucation of the young. The present gen
Grafton is no exception. 1t is an easy
matter TO let down our present system,
but the result would be population of
ign)lant young people. who would be
burden and curse to the State. be-
lieve that if can induce one boy to OBJ |
tain good english education, and
GOOD trade. or a good farm, and he will
settle down i'm ouI own State, he will he |
worth five thousand dollars TO the State
before he dies. On the other hand, il q
boy grows up unable to read or "rite'the
chances are that he will, sooner or later,
cost the State that sum before he dies.
IN o.