The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-01-22


leI education That a Iaw to this
effect viii encounter objections is not
to be doubted for in view of the pro-
liability of such measure, its oppo-
Inents have already commenced to
marshal their forces. =
In Norway, Sweden and Prussia
this system was first adopted, and
such have been its saIutary effects
THAT other European governments
have made haste to follow their ex-
ample. Austria, admonished by the
defeat of Sadowa, France by the
crushing disaster at Sedan, and Eng
land by the possibility of real
"battle of Dorking," have decreed by
statute that all their children shall be
taught to read and write, Influenced
| BY a conviction that knowledge gives
increased prowess in war as well as
capacity and integrity for the peace
full pursuits of life. And it is fact
of striking significance that none Of
the States that have passed such en-
actments have abandoned or repealed
them. sr sff =, 1900
In passing from this topic, of para
mount Importance TO the future we'll
being os the Commonwealth, un-
besitatingly express the hope that the
day Is not distant when, through the
Bureau of National Education, Sec
onded by the concurrent legislative
action of the States, every child in
the. American Union, without refer
ence to creed, caste, color or eondi-
ton, viii be thoroughly and effectualIy
instructed in all the elementary
branches of English education, and
that uniform text books, setting forth
the true history and theory of our
National and State Governments, will
be provided and introduced into all
the schools Of the country. Approx
imation of thought and opinion on
these subjects is Of vital consequence
to the permanenee Of the Union, and
the stability of our republican insti-
tutions. Had such a measure been
opportunely initiated, the war of the
rebellion would scarcely have been
possible Ha
Should you deem your powers in
adequate to enact suitable laws upon
this subject, the Constitutional Con-
vention, now in session, should not
hesitate to habilitate yea with such
authority, and thus lend their aid and
influence in making Pennsylvania the
vanguard in the great mission of uni
versal education. d
From the report of the Superin-
tendent of Soldiers Orphans Schools,
and other sources. / feel fully author
,zed in assuring you they were never
before in more hourishing and pros
porous condition. r4tlia r
Every child, legally eligible, and
having made application, is now adj
mitted to these schools. The whole
number of admissions since 1865 is
6,429; the discharges from all causes,
1902, leaving in attendance 3,52T.-
No larger number will probably here
after be attained, and-it NAV conf
IDENTIFY be expected that this number
will be subject.to an annual reduction
of at least FIVE hundred, until the
system shall have accomplished its
mission. 9 1
The entire expense of these schools
in the State, since they went into
operation in 1865, is So, ,457, ,543 IL
Fheir cost during the last year was
s475,245 AZ. 1t is estimated by the
Superintendent that the future ex-
pense, to the period of their final ex-
tinction, will not exceed one million
Eve hundred thousand dollars.
Z The health of the children has
been excellent. Their exemption
from smallpox, while it was prevail
ing all around them, is remarkable:
and no stronger evidence of good
management and the propitious re-
suits of systematic vaccination, could
be adduced. The exemplary conduct
of the pupils after their discharge is
one of the most gratifying circum-
stances connected with their history.
The following statement Of the
Superintendent will be highly salts
factory to the Legislature and the
people: From the beginning of
these schools to the present, the
greater part of the children who have
received their advantages have been
honorably discharged. And from the
facts in the possession of the depart
ment, it appears that more than
ninety-eight per cent. are doing well,
and seem likely to become upright and
useful citizens"
Among the States of the American
Union, Pennsylvania stands pre-
eminent in her "care for the soldier
who has borne the battle, and for his
widow and orphan children Her
noble scheme for clothing, educating,
maintaining and adopting the orphan
children of her soldiers who gave
their lives in defense of the National
Union, is her own invention. In this
the generosity of her people has been
initiated, but not equaled by those of
any other State To her will forever
be accorded the leadership in this
work of benevoleDce 1t will form
the brightest page of her history 1t
will seal the devotion of her people
to the common country and our Leg
islators, in view of its benign inhu-
ences, will continue to accord cheer
full and liberal support to a system so
fruitful in blessing to the orphan chill
dren of our martyred heroes.
Upon no material interest of the
State is the influence Of education
more salutary than that of agricul-
ture. Pennsylvania, by wise legisla-
ton, has authorized the purchase of
three experimental farms, and the es-
tablishment of a college, ,>all Of which
are now in successful operation, and
the results of the scientific working
of farms have already added much
practical knowledge upon the general
subject.
The Agricultural College has just
closed most prosperous year-the
number of students being one hun
dred and ffty-which exceeds that
of any year since the opening of the
institution. ANY one, of three
courses, is optional to the students.
n