The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1872-12-26
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES REPORT.
HIM. 0. S. Lewis, Geal Superintendent
Of FIRE. Schools. CharLestUA, ". Va.

JcuI euuinS huSune o'SbI ioI !. ~
greet my inability to have furnished your
department reports for the past two years
Any omission III this respect should BE
attributed to the persistent delinquency
Of inefficient and careless officers, who
have failed to furnish inc, 10 line, the
statistics necessary to frame report.
Lam happy, however, to report the
general prosperity of the schools in this
county. The ATTENDANCE Of pupils du-
ring the year past, exceeded that ofany
previous one; aud while there is much
room for congratulation in this respect,
it is to be regretted, however, that there
arc many who avail themselves very
spariugly, while there are others who
absent themselves entirely from the
benefits of tho schools. Some reform in
this respect demands the serious aud
timely consideration Of our Legislators.
II evidently behooves them to adopt in
some form the most stringent measures
to check this lruantism.
If a system of public instruction is
necessary to prcserre our Republican
Government and Republican Institutions,
surely the State, the guardian Of public
morals and political life, has the right
to inaugura,e such methods as will
impIau. early in the minds Of its chill
dreu the principles Of morality, justice
md love Of country. by the exercise
Of these moral duties, will the citizen
alone be honored aud the State benefit.
ted. Hence it follows, that to secure
these desirable ends aud as a matter Of
selfprescrvation, the law should be di.
recsly applied to compel all to receive
the benefits Of this general system Of ed.
ucation, which as State policy is in.
tended to effect these purposes.
| AM gra'iiied to report the improved
condition and superior qualifications Of
the teachers employed in the county du.
ring the school year past. | feel safe
in asserting that they will rank favor
ably with any in the State. Some Of
them possess professional skill, literary
attaiumcnts and ability sufficient to
honor any institution Of learning; while
others, regret to say, have fallen be.
low the standard requisite to make
teaching successful or profitable. But
owing to the migratory character Of
many Of the applicants, coming as they do
from other States, where they are unable
to pass the necessary examinations for
certificates to teach, and offering their
services here At such reduced rates Of
tuition, that competent teachers cannot
and will not compete with them, the
qualified teacher is thus pushed aside,
aud compelled to seek in some more
genial cline q home where his merits
Shall be appreciated, and his services
duly rewarded.
What is true of any sphere Of bust
ness life. is equally applicable to the
profession Of tcaching-"wherc little is
given, little can be expected" Trustees
controlled by false ideas Of economy, en-.
deavor to procure teachers at the lowest
rates, aud as a necessary and fatal con
such only will be employed,
whose qualifications are Of an inferior
order, and the schools under whose con
troll, can give but little Satisfaction
The profession of teaching must be ele-
vated to an equal rank, at least, with the
liberal professions. Thus will our chill,
dren have inducements to look up to
their teachers with respect and the State
a guarantee for the intellectual aud
moral welfare Of her literary institutions.
To the approaching session of our
Legislature, the eyes Of every friend Of
common schools will be directed with
more than ordinaryinterest While we
believe that q great change in our p 'es.
ent school laws is required aud demand
ed to perfect and simplify the system,
yet we entertain grave fears lest too
much precipitation in undoing what is
already established, will result in evil,
rather detrimental, than beneficial to our
schools, and the cherished hopes Of the
masses Of the people.
| would, therefore, respectfully, sub
nit to the calm and deliberate consider
alton Of our Legislature, the retention
of our present school system, with such
changes only, as will make the execu
ton OF our school laws in their applica-
ton to the practical work and duties of
all interested, less complicated and more
ineligible. This will be more econom-
ical, aud give moro satisfaction to those
who are acquainted with the present
system, than the adoption of a new one,
whose details might be Of questionable
advantage.
While, however, we entertain the
views above expressed, we would suggest
to those who desire to make change,
one, which we deem most important, viz:
the adoption of some plan to elevate the