Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-01-09


them. Commendable progress has
been made during the l,-5t year, and
we hope for an early az IstInent of all
pending war claiI.Is.
TWO PER CENT. CLAIMS.
There is now due from the General
Government, as we maintain, To the
States of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, d
very large sum of money, on account
of the five per cent. granted by Con-
gresS to the several states, upon the
sales of public lands. This i7e per
cent. has been paid in full TO all the
States entitled to it, except Ohio, Indi-
ana and Illinois, which States have re-
ceiyed only three per cent. A men,
orial was addressed to the Senate anu
House of Representatives at Washing
ton, in January, 1872, by the Cover
norS of the three States named, and
the subject will be pressed for final ac-
ton at the present, session OF Congress.
! 1t is believed this claim is SO palpably
lust thatitS payment will be directed.
The House of Representatives, by a de-
cided vote, has already taken actien to
l'concurrence O the Senate. Certainly,
with other States, a refusal in our case,
would be an unjust discrimination
against US, which we have no reason
to expect. .,-s --...
SCHOOL LAWS. .....-r
The necessity for codifying and re-
vising the school laws of the State, has
been long felt, and is now most urgent.
The public sentiment of the the promi-
nent teachers of Ohio seems to have
approved the bill (before amendment)
reported by the House Committee on
Common Schools, at the session of last
winter. .E > .
Your attention is especially invited
to the following subjects: ..t i......
First. Normal instruction.
| Second. County Superintendency.
Third. Township organization as a
modification of the district system.
/ have mentioned normal instruction
first for the reason that [ believe il to
be most important. We cannot have
good schools without good teachers,
and we cannot have competent teach
ers unless they are properly instructed
in their duties. County superintenden6y
might, and undoubtedly would, some
what assist, but the fact is, the lack of
competent superintendent is quite as
great as the scarcity of good teachers.
We want normal schools to instruct
1 both, and these schools the State ought
to supply. Until we have them, a large
portion of the enormous sums expended
for educational purposes, will be thrown
away. 1t is undoubtedly true that the
schools in our large towns and cities,
compare favorably with those of other
States, but even these ought to be i'm
proved. 1t is certainly true that our
country schools are inferior i'll many
respects. An effort should be made to
elevate the standard of these schools,
so that all the children of our Stale may
enjoy equal advantages. 1t should be
!. a subject of inquiry, as to what consti-
tutes the difference between the city
: and the country schools, and there
should be such legislation, as will give
the greatest possible advantage, to the
greatest number of our. youth. In my
Judgment, our first necessity is normal
schools, permanently located, created
, supported and regulated by the State
4 supplemented with normal instruction
upon the Institute system, reaching
into every county, and under the con.
troll ola State Board. Reasonable eX.
pense, incurred in promoting the intel
ligence of the people, will be found ju.
dicious and economical. Common
school education is the basis of our
prosperity, and it should be made
as complete and excellent as possible
I have no doubt that with normal
schools to educate teachers and superin,
tendent=, we should reap from the
money now expended, double the ben.
eft we at present enjoy. Until we
have such institutions, our schools will
always be Inferior. [ respectfully urge
this subject upon your attention, and
take pleasure in referring to the very
able Report of the State School Com
missioner, which will soon be laid be
fore you.
OHIO AND MIAMI UNIVERSITIES.
The Ohio and Miami Universities
at Athens and Oxford, are noWin /
very feeble condition, and unless some
thing is speedily done for them by the
state their doors must soon be closed
While considering the nece sity for es
tablishing Normal Schools, it has Oc
Cured to me as possible that one Of
both of these Institutions might bC
made available for that purpose. A
a joint meeting of the Alumni and
T Trustees of the Ohio University, held
last July, resolution was passed re
questing the General Assembly to con
slider the propriety OF adding Il Norm 4
Department, to be supported by the
State. Possibly the funds of these two
Universities might be united, so as t.
, afford support for one, while the othel
could be made a Normal School, sup
ported entirely by the State. At al
events, these Institutions must have
immediate and substantial assistance
} or they will die, and that very soon.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The Agricultural College will, at lii
distant day, be ready for the admission
of students. Generous provision ha
heretofore been made for it, but tht
fostering care of the State, whose chilli
it is, will be required for some years t,
come. 1t is expected that the Stat,
r will extend the same libcrality to thi
p that she does 10 her charitable institu
i, tionS. The Agricultural and Meclian
q ical College should be something NOR
f. than a mOdei 1arin, illustrating the ar
: of cultivating the soil, and the method
+ of improving breeds of stock. If thi
: shall be the limit of its ambition, few
5 young men will resort to it, and these
;. it is feared, without great profit. L;
+ foundations should be laid broad ant
deer, aud within its walls should b.
taught the principles which ulderli
all the industrial, liberal and orna
mental arts. Its curriculum should b,
:, SO extended that young men may ther
] be educated for all the ordinary walk
of life. If it shall be dedicated under
, generous system, and conducted in th,
/ right way, it will soon athacs dona