The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-06-28

Having few leisure moments will
improve them by writing few lines for
publication. | have been visiting in
the Townships Of Wayerly, Columbia
and Bloomingdale, and am glad to say
that, with but three exceptions, the
schools are in excellent condition
AA general thing the schools O. the
County are better attended than last
year, and deeper interest manifested
by the teachers. Some Of my youngest
teachers have really done more than
could have been expected of them. l
wish to mention especially, Miss Letta
Edgel, in Wayerley, Miss Laura Bush.
mel OF Columbia, and Miss Ida Draper.
OF Bloomingdale, and | would not for.
get Miss Fannie HyaDes, of Almena,
all of whom, by their energy and zeal
have met with perfect success. Miss
Emily Vaughan, the youngest teacher
IN the County, has proved herself equal
TO the task performed BY older and
more experienced teachers, AID made an
excellent reputation in her school ia
Hartford. While success has crowned
the efforts of these and many others, a.
the same time few have proved them.
selves incompetent to govern and prop
erly conduct a school, and their lators
have been discontinued. I have enjoy
ed my labors much, and have met with
hearty welcome. Nearly every school
have visited, have been able 70 Sc
cure the presence Of one 0. more Of the
school board, which i encouraging
Everywhere 60, wheat, oats and grass
all promise heavy yield. Corn, of late,
is improving, and potatoes look well.
On Satur lay the I'D, The Committee
on Text books took final action in the
matter having spent nearly month in
the examination Of books now in use,
and Of those presented by diferert pub.
fishing houses, for examination. l an
aware that few persons in the comfy
will be opposed to the adoption of
uniformity Of text books into our schools,
but am glad 20 know that more than
nine.tenths Of the people, give ne their
hearty support in my great undertaking.
BY visiting the schools and making a
careful examination, found books of
every variety, and Of almo.: every series
in the same school For instance,
seven pupils Of the same standing in
arithmetic, were using FIVE different au-
thors and in FIVE different classes. And
the same proportion held good in all the
other branches, such as grammar, geo.
graphy, &c, thus destroying the eff.
ciency Of the best teacher I saw the
evil and thought action should be taken.
then counseled with some of the best
men in all parts Of the county, and they
demanded of me immediate action
State uniformity had been abandoned,
and great many Of our sister counties
had already adopted uniform list of
tex; books. Hillsdale, Branch, Shiawas-
sa and Iona taking the lead. Should
Van Buren stand still, or move on and
keep up with the spirit of the age? The
time had come to act, and We have after
long and careful examination, prepared
a list of the best books to be found.
which we shall present to all interested
for their consideration. As committee,
we do not propose to compel the use or
introduction of the books we recommend,
but shall make our report to a Conven
tion of delegates from every school dis.
trict in the county, that will send dele
gates to that Convention. We have
made our decision alone upon the mer.
its Of the books, and no publishing house
or book agent knows anything concern.
ing our deliberations or decisions. With.
ont any view to popularity, influence,
or the gaining Of votes, or receiving Of
bribes;' We have discharged our duty,
having in view the bes, interests Of the
schools Of the county. BY virtue Of
the power vested in me, l have seen fit
to call Convention Of school officers,
and all others interested, at Lawrence,
on Saturday, the 22nd day of July at
IL o'clock, A. VI. Printed circulars
will be mailed to every Director, re-
questing them to call special meeting
of the inhabitants of their seveaal dis