The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-01-24


Centennial celebration, some approxi
mate idea of the incalculable wealth be-
meath the soil of our State; and would
have an Importance in their sight that
could be conveyed to them in no Other
possible manner.
The expenses of a geological corps
properly organized. and such as would
be competent to perform the duties re.
quired, have been carefully estimated
and will not exceed forty-tive thousand
dollars for the first year, and need not be
quite as much annually thereafter. In
recommending this measure two years
ago, said: For want of proper bu-
reau of statistics, and corps OF obser-
vation and publication to collate and re-
late the facts of our geology and mine
ralogy as they have appeared, the State
has already suffered severely. Much
valuable information has been lost, never
10 be recovered; and but little certain
knowledge of past mining, and other
scientific operations, has been preserved
70 govern and assist the future engineer.
1t is, therefore, neither wise nor just
policy to delay this work under the pre-
text that it may be more perfectly ef-
fected at some future time. There is a
present necessity for it, though the time
never will come when such work can
be considered perfect. New develop
ments in mineral resources, as well as
additional Requirements i'll scientific
knowledge, will constantly be made as
long as the world exists. The sooner,
therefore, in my opinion, a thorough sur
vey is authorized the better it will he for
the prospective interests of the State, as
well us for its present necessities. F."
ThegOlden destiny of the Pacific States
may We'll be envied but our coal, ore,
lumber and soil are much better foun-
datiOn for wealth and permanent great
ness than the productSo of all their ptuceTS,
and the transient prosperity they have
produced. Let us build upon All eudur-
ing basis and the world will forever pay
IL golden tribute to our products and liz
de'St"i"s-the true wealth of Pennsyl-
vania.
EDUCATION.
With great propriety, the Superlnten-
dent, i'll the opening of his able report,
cougratulates the people upon the con
,inued growth and prosperity of oul
public schools.
Their progress is clearly indicated by
comparing the expenditures of the last
SIX years. with those Of the six years
prior to 1867, viz:
Total cost for tuition from 67 to 72 SIS 258 81
Total cost Ior tui,iJn from 6I t. 10. IZ7i"O6i II
Increase. ......................... sss3Sle6 -
Total expenditures of the system
from 1867 10 1872. ............-. 81 ZI02 IL
Gotai expenditures vi IIle system
from 1901 10 1866. IS59U lay j
Increase. Se.....,................... SZko6i.9U2 ~
Pennsylvania, less fortunate than
many o1 her sister states, has no school
fund. The legislative appropriations
amount only TO about six hundred thou
sand dollars annually; but the people, i'll
the several districts, voluntarily vote all
other moneys necessary to support the
schools. The foregoing sta, emento
Dritlly exhibit the deep and increasing
interest entertained III beAall OF popular
education.
Intelligence and virtue are conceded
10 be Indispensable conditions of the
permanent existence and prosperity oi
any form of government. The necessity
OF these supports increases III proportion
aS The area of freedom and privilege 10
enlarged, 1t follows, from these um-
questioned maXimS, that the demand
TOR general education is more imperative
III the United States than III any other
country. Gun Constitution recognizes
the people as the inherent source OF ali
power. All participate i'll the great act
oI creating the COuutry'S rulers. The
ballot decides all Questions OF cho &C,
and fills all official positions, FROM that
ut TIE chief magistrate OF tue nation to
that OF the lowest town officer. This
supreme and resIstless power OF lmiver-
Sal suffrage, at once suggests the abSO-
lutte necessity of universal education.
Inc truth U1 these premises Admitted,
no argument is required 10 establish tine
COncIuSIon.
Inc COMMON school system doubtless
! owes its origin TO IL common conviction
UlIat no people can be properly and per
manently Self-governing, whose lntelll-
gtnce is unequal TO the comprehension
OF their rigIls, privileges and RESPONSE
| DllllleS, OF whose virtues are too feeble
aud imperfect to restrain tnem from IL
| violation OF those duties Which they owe
| 10 tnelr Creator ana to eact other.
! When the system was introduced
thirty-eigmt years ago, 1t was GENERALLY
viewt d III the light OF an experiment.
Tie act creating it made lis adoption
dependant upon the vote OF the people
Ill their respective districts. Their Ie-
luctant and tardy acceptance OF the
priceless boon is neither matter OF sur
PRISE to us, nor reproacn to them, when
all the circumstances are duly consider
ed. Its present popularity Is Indicated
! by the entire absence OF complaint, and